Instant Gratification: Ramones, “S.L.U.G.” (2018 Remix)

Fans of the bruddahs Ramone – not to mention, of course, anyone who frequents Rhino.com on a regular basis – shouldn’t need to be reminded at this point that next Friday will at long last bring ROAD TO RUIN: 40^TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION to your friendly neighborhood record store and/or online music retailer. But, hey, we know how it is: people get busy, and sometimes you just can’t find the time to keep up on all the major music news coming down the pike. So why don’t we go over the specifics of this very special reissue again? You know, just to make sure we’re all on the same page.

The Ramones released the band's fourth studio album, Road To Ruin , 40 years ago this September. Dee Dee, Joey, and Johnny were joined for the first time by drummer Marky Ramone, who replaced founding member Tommy Ramone, who'd left to do more producing and writing for the band. It was also the album that introduced a nation of pinheads to the all-time Ramones' classic "I Wanna Be Sedated."

Here’s what will be coming out next Friday:

• A newly remastered single CD version of the original ROAD TO RUIN album
• A 3CD/1LP boxed set
• Digital versions of both

And here’s what you’ll find on the 40^TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION, a.k.a. the aforementioned 3CD / 1 LP boxed set:

 

CD 1:

• A remastered version of the original stereo mix for ROAD TO RUIN
• A new 2018 40^th Anniversary Road Revisited mix by original producer Ed Stasium

 

CD 2:

• Previously unreleased rough mixes of every album track
• Two previously unreleased alternate takes (“I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Questioningly”)
• Two single mixes (“Don’t Come Close” and “Needles and Pins”)
• Two previously unreleased outtakes (“I Walk Out” and “S.L.U.G.”)
• Half a dozen other alternate versions, including the Ramones-On-45 Mega-Mix of “I Wanna Be Sedated”

 

CD 3:

• A 32-track concert recording of the band’s ‘79 New Year’s Eve show at the NY Palladium

 

LP 1:

• 180-gram vinyl pressing of the 40^th Anniversary Road Revisited mix of the album

 

This set also comes packaged in a 12x12 hardcover book featuring rare photos and artwork, including the unused alternate cover image, and essays by former New York Rocker writer Roy Trakin, album cover artist John Holmstrom, and the esteemed Mr. Stasium.

 

And now that even the latecomers are caught up, we wanted to help you through this difficult time between now and the set’s actual release next Friday, so here’s your chance to check out one of those previously-unreleased rarities: “S.L.U.G.”

 

LISTEN HERE. 

 

Below you’ll find the full track listing. Now get ready to rock ‘n’ roll with Ramones! But just remember: until next Friday, you’ll have to rock ‘n’ roll by yourself, so don’t overexert yourself in the meantime.

 

ROAD TO RUIN: 40th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION 

 

Disc One
Original Mix Remastered

1. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do”
2. “I Wanted Everything”
3. “Don’t Come Close”
4. “I Don’t Want You”
5. “Needles And Pins”
6. “I’m Against It”
7. “I Wanna Be Sedated”
8. “Go Mental”
9. “Questioningly”
10. “She’s The One”
11. “Bad Brain”
12. “It’s A Long Way Back”

 

40th Anniversary Road Revisited Mix

13. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do”
14. “I Wanted Everything”
15. “Don’t Come Close”
16. “I Don’t Want You”
17. “Needles And Pins”
18. “I’m Against It”
19. “I Wanna Be Sedated”
20. “Go Mental”
21. “Questioningly”
22. “She’s The One”
23. “Bad Brain”
24. “It’s A Long Way Back”

 

Disc Two: Rough Mixes & 40th Anniversary Extras

1. “I Walk Out” (2018 Mix) *
2. “S.L.U.G.” (2018 Mix) *
3. “Don’t Come Close” (Single Mix)
4. “Needles And Pins” (Single Mix)
5. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” (Basic Rough Mix) *
6. “I Don’t Want You” (Basic Rough Mix) *
7. “I’m Against It” (Basic Rough Mix) *
8. “It’s A Long Way Back” (Basic Rough Mix) *
9. “I Walk Out” (Basic Rough Mix) *
10. “Bad Brain” (Basic Rough Mix) *
11. “Needles And Pins” (Basic Rough Mix) *
12. “I Wanna Be Sedated” Take 2 (Basic Rough Mix) *
13. “I Wanted Everything” (Basic Rough Mix) *
14. “Go Mental” (Basic Rough Mix) *
15. “She’s The One” (Basic Rough Mix) *
16. “Questioningly” Take 2 (Basic Rough Mix) *
17. “S.L.U.G.” (Basic Rough Mix) *
18. “Don’t Come Close” (Basic Rough Mix) *
19. “I Wanna Be Sedated” (Backing Track) *
20. “I Don’t Want You” (Brit Pop Mix) *
21. “Questioningly” (Acoustic Version) *
22. “Needles And Pins” (Acoustic Version) *
23. “Don’t Come Close” (Acoustic Version) *
24. “I Wanna Be Sedated” (“Ramones-On-45 Mega-Mix!”)

 

Disc Three: Live At The Palladium, New York, NY, December 31 1979

1. “Blitzkrieg Bop” *
2. “Teenage Lobotomy” *
3. “Rockaway Beach” *
4. “I Don’t Want You” *
5. “Go Mental” *
6. “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” *
7. “I Wanna Be Sedated” *
8. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do” *
9. “She’s The One” *
10. “This Ain’t Havana” *
11. “I’m Against It” *
12. “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” *
13. “Havana Affair” *
14. “Commando” *
15. “Needles And Pins” *
16. “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” *
17. “Surfin’ Bird” *
18. “Cretin Hop” *
19. “All The Way” *
20. “Judy Is A Punk” *
21. “California Sun” *
22. “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You” *
23. “Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World” *
24. “Pinhead” *
25. “Do You Wanna Dance?” *
26. “Suzy Is A Headbanger” *
27. “Let’s Dance” *
28. “Chinese Rock” *
29. “Beat On The Brat” *
30. “We’re A Happy Family” *
31. “Bad Brain”
32. “I Wanted Everything” *

* previously unreleased

 

LP: 40th Anniversary Road Revisited Mix

 

Side One

1. “I Just Want To Have Something To Do”
2. “I Wanted Everything”
3. “Don’t Come Close”
4. “I Don’t Want You”
5. “Needles And Pins”
6. “I’m Against It”

 

Side Two

1. “I Wanna Be Sedated”
2. “Go Mental”
3. “Questioningly”
4. “She’s The One”
5. “Bad Brain”
6. “It’s A Long Way Back”