The Hitmen - Torn Together

The Hitmen's second album, Torn Together (1981), is a big step forward from the first. The songwriting is more distinctive, the arrangements are more imaginative, and the production is a lot punchier (courtesy of Rhett Davies this time). The album's best song, the opener "Bates Motel," was actually written by the drummer, Mike Gaffey, one of three songs that he wrote or co-wrote. There's an excellent fan review of Torn Together here. This would be the last release from The Hitmen; get it here or here. Ben Watkins would appear as a guest vocalist on guitarist Pete Glenister's next project, Gates by the studio concoction "New Asia" (1982). That postpunk masterpiece is available on Mutant Sounds.

The Hitmen - Aim for the Feet

From way back in 1980, here are the first released recordings of Ben Watkins, as far as I know, as the lead singer and secondary guitarist of The Hitmen (not the Australian band). This first album, Aim for the Feet, was released on Urgent Records, a division of Columbia (in the U.S., at least, where my copy of the album comes from). Let's first take a look at the promo sheet for the album (click image for full size and readable text):

Sounds great, doesn't it? Who wouldn't want to listen to an album produced by Rocky Burnett's producer? They needn't have worried about being buried in platinum: unfortunately it's rather generic-sounding New Wave, and barely New Wave at that. There are a few hummable tunes, but overall it's pretty ho-hum. Still, it's essential listening for the Ben Watkins completist. Get it here or here. The second Hitmen album, coming soon, is a great improvement.