Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights) (Live 1979)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights) (Live 1979)" by the Pat Travers Band from their iconic album Live! Go for What You Know, and the Zoo Freaks are surely loving the vibe. This song, a high-energy cover of a Stan Lewis tune originally performed by Little Walter, became a staple in the band’s live shows, known for its call-and-response with the crowd shouting “Out go the lights!” after Pat Travers’ “Boom boom.” Travers introduced it as a “party tune,” distancing himself from the song’s potentially controversial lyrics, which some interpret as hinting at domestic violence, though others, like a fan on Songfacts, suggest it’s a playful nod to romance, with the lights going out metaphorically. The live version, recorded in 1979, stretches to five minutes, two minutes longer than the studio cut, showcasing the band’s raw power, with Travers’ guitar panned left and Pat Thrall’s right, as detailed in a Guitar World article. A memorable story from The Gear Page recounts a 1970s show where Travers’ drummer was too hungover to play, so they pulled a kid from the crowd to drum for “Boom Boom,” and he nailed it—an epic moment Travers recalled vividly 20 years later.

The song’s gear is another layer of its legend. Travers used a Leslie 147 rotating speaker cabinet for that signature “slight phaser effect,” blended with an overdriven Marshall 50-watt and a clean Marshall 100-watt, while Thrall’s jazzy chords were colored by an A/DA Flanger pedal, per Guitar World. Fans on Reddit share nostalgic tales, like one who saw the band open for AC/DC in 1979 for just $7.50, keeping the ticket stub as a memento. The track’s enduring appeal is evident in its frequent airplay on classic rock radio and its inclusion in live albums like Live at Reading 1980, available on Bandcamp, where it’s hailed as “vintage gold.”

Pat Travers, the Canadian rock guitarist behind the band, kicked off his musical journey in Toronto, born on April 12, 1954. Inspired by seeing Jimi Hendrix perform in Ottawa at age 12, Travers picked up the guitar and never looked back. By his teens, he was playing in local bands like Music Machine, Red Hot, and Merge, gigging in Quebec clubs. His talent caught the eye of rock artist Ronnie Hawkins, who invited Travers to join him, giving the young guitarist a big break. In his early twenties, Travers moved to London, armed with a black Fender Telecaster, a Marshall amp, and a wah-wah pedal, chasing his dreams. He signed with Polydor and released his self-titled debut album in 1976, featuring bassist Peter “Mars” Cowling, a mainstay in his band for years, as noted on Wikipedia. This marked the start of a career that saw Travers blend blues-rock with heavy metal, earning praise from the likes of Paul Gilbert and Kirk Hammett.

Today, fans can stay connected with the Pat Travers Band through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where Travers shares updates on tours and releases. The band’s loyal fanbase, known as “Hammer Heads,” keeps the spirit alive on fan-driven platforms like the Pat Travers Band Fan Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts swap stories, memorabilia, and concert memories. Another fan hub, the Classic Rock Forums, hosts discussions on the band’s discography and legacy, celebrating their impact from the 1970s to now.