The Flesh Express

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your hippie DJs from THE ZOO spinning some wild, far-out tunes to keep your vibes electric! We’re cranking up “The Flesh Express” by The Werewolves from their 1978 self-titled album Werewolves. This track’s a raw, sleazy rock ‘n’ roll romp, packed with gritty guitars and a driving beat that’ll make you wanna howl at the moon. Fun fact: the song’s got that proto-punk edge, and according to a review on AllMusic, it captures the band’s knack for catchy, no-frills rock. Fans on The Werewolves’ X account have shared how the track’s suggestive lyrics, like a nod to late-night escapades, made it a cult favorite at dive bars in the late ’70s. One Zoo Freak in the The Werewolves Fans Facebook group posted about catching the band live in ’78 at CBGB, saying “The Flesh Express” had the crowd dancing like they were on a runaway train. Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, the guy behind early Rolling Stones, this tune’s got that rebellious spirit we love!

More groovy trivia about “The Flesh Express” — it’s one of the standout tracks from an album that was meant to make The Werewolves the “American Rolling Stones,” as an Amazon reviewer put it, but they never quite got the spotlight they deserved. The song’s got a raw, almost garage-rock vibe, with a touch of glam swagger, and fans on Rate Your Music praise its infectious energy. A post on X from a fan recalls how the band’s live performances of the track were pure chaos, with frontman Gary Shane strutting like Mick Jagger. The Werewolves Fan Club site mentions a rare 1978 promo video for the song, shot in a gritty New York alley, that’s become a holy grail for collectors. If any of you Zoo Freaks have seen that gem or got a story about this track, give us a holler!

So, how did The Werewolves get their start? Picture New York City in the mid-’70s, buzzing with punk and glam at spots like Max’s Kansas City. The band came together in 1977, led by vocalist Gary Shane, with guitarists Mike Chandler and John Palumbo, bassist Jim Mackrell, and drummer Neal Ceppos. As per Discogs, they were signed to RCA Records, and their debut album, produced by Stones legend Andrew Loog Oldham, dropped in ’78. The Werewolves were all about blending Stones-y swagger with a punky edge, drawing from influences like The New York Dolls and early Aerosmith. They played iconic venues like CBGB and The Bottom Line, building a cult following, but despite opening for acts like The Cars, they never broke through to the mainstream, as noted on AllMusic. Their second album, Ship of Fools, came in ’79, but by the early ’80s, they’d faded out, leaving behind a legacy as one of rock’s great “almost made it” stories.

Wanna dive into The Werewolves’ world? Check out their official website for news, merch, and reissued vinyl that’ll take you back to the ’70s. They’re on Facebook and Instagram, posting throwback photos and clips from their gritty live shows. Follow their X account for fan chatter and updates on rare releases, like the remastered Werewolves LP. For more community love, join the The Werewolves Fans Facebook group or swing by the Werewolves Fan Club site, where fans share memories, trade bootlegs, and keep the band’s cult status alive. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the rock ‘n’ roll train rolling!