Easy Action Era

Background

Easy Action is the 2nd Alice Cooper Group studio album and was released in 1970. It’s noticeably more refined than Pretties For You (which wasn't very hard, to be fair), with the songs generally being much more conventional. However, it’s still prone to fits of intriguing obscurity, which probably explains why it again failed to achieve any notable commercial or critical success. The foundations of success were clearly being laid though, with turning fortunes just around the corner…

 

The opening track Mr. And Misdemeanor sounds like it’s lifted straight out of a Broadway play. It has plenty of arrogance and swagger and would have been right at home on Billion Dollar Babies

 

Shoe Salesman is a classy, up tempo, track which highlights the increasing diversity and talent of the band. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic but appear to imply that the salesman is trading something very different to shoes!

 

Featuring lyrics from West Side Story’s Jet Song, Still No Air is a raucous number. It’s all rather uncoordinated though and doesn’t make for easy listening, making it one of the albums weaker tracks. The Alice Cooper Group would, however, revisit this idea on their School's Out album.

 

Below Your Means is a lengthy track at nearly seven minutes but, oddly, only features about a minute of lyrics followed by a substantial instrumental section and what must be the longest ever fade out at the end (over a minute). The lyrics are rather confusing, but the instrumental is really good! The track is notable as Michael Bruce takes the role of lead vocals.  

 

Return Of The Spiders is a fantastically aggressive track with Alice at his snarling best. Coupled with a haunting drumbeat and edgy guitar playing, you’re onto a real winner. Along with the opening track this really sounds like the first of the signature Alice Cooper Group songs.

 

Things mellow out with the short Laughing At Me, which again displays the Alice Cooper Group's emerging strong instrumental qualities. The lyrics are rather bizarre again but it’s still a very listenable (and likeable) track.

 

Refrigerator Heaven is another short track featuring the sort of lyrics and dark humour that would later become a staple of the Alice Cooper Group. At this stage, they hadn’t quite got things nailed down perfectly, but it's again a good indication of where they were heading.

 

Beautiful Flyaway is an interesting and funny song, mainly because Michael Bruce again seamlessly takes the role of lead vocalist and also because every line seems to shoehorn in one word too many. Another song that sounds like it was born on Broadway and, therefore, is very easy on the ear.

 

The ghosts of Pretties For You come back to haunt the listener on the lengthy album closer Lay Down And Die Goodbye. Partially derived from the song of the same name by The Nazz it starts with a fitting message to a world struggling to understand Alice Cooper:

 

You are the only censor. If you don't like what I say, you have a choice. You can turn me off”

 

It's, very strange and very psychedelic and showcases the Alice Cooper Group at its most experimental!

Easy Action Album Cover

Easy Action 12" Promotional Vinyl Album

1970, Straight Records, WS 1845

This USA 12" 1st pressing promotional vinyl album comes in a gatefold sleeve and features the classic image of a topless Alice Cooper Group with their backs turned away from the camera (which, combined with the group's name, was clearly designed to trick people into thinking they were a bunch of topless girls!). Inside are some portrait black-and-white images of each group member (with Alice featured twice, complete with added artistic effects, in another demonstration of his increased prominence even at an early stage).

 

On the rear of the sleeve is a colour image of a fully clothed, front facing, Alice Cooper Group in full glam regalia! One notable aspect is that the last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are presented in an incorrect order. They are correct on the vinyl label, however.  My understanding is that they were originally intended to be in the order stated on the sleeve, but were switched at the last minute (i.e. after the sleeves were printed). 

 

As this is a promotional copy, it includes white 2nd generation Straight vinyl labels and an additional Warner Brothers branded DJ timing strip on the front of the sleeve, which provides the track titles and durations of every song together with the total running time of each side of the album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Straight Records, WS 1845

This USA 1st pressing of Easy Action is almost identical to the promotional copy (above) but instead features pink 2nd generation Straight vinyl labels and no DJ timing strip. The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are again presented in an incorrect order on the sleeve.

 

What makes this particular copy unique though is that the front cover is subject to a printing oversight / error, with 'Alice Cooper' presented in inconspicuous black and red font, rather than the intended black and white. This was rectified on subsequent copies (see below), and it is not known how many of these versions were produced, but the numbers are thought to be quite low, making this a sought after item.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Straight Records, WS 1845

This USA 1st pressing of Easy Action comes in gatefold format on the Straight label and features 2nd generation Straight vinyl labels. Unlike the above version, this sees 'Alice Cooper' on the front cover presented in the more prominent intended black and white font. The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are again presented in an incorrect order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Zapped 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Bizarre Records, Pro 368

 

The Alice Cooper Group signed to record producer Frank Zappa's Straight label in 1968, with their first album (Pretties For You) following a year later. In 1970, around the time that Easy Action was released, Zappa released the promotional sampler Zapped. This record featured music from his signed artists including Zappa himself, Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band, Tim Buckley, The GTO's and, of course, Alice Cooper. The featured Alice Cooper tracks on the labels / disc of my copy are Titanic Overture and Refrigerator Heaven (from the Pretties For You and Easy Action albums respectively) although the sleeve states Reflected instead of Refrigerator Heaven. Pressings also exist that actually include Reflected on the vinyl, however (see below).

 

In addition to Straight, Zappa had another label called Bizarre. As the names suggest, Straight was designed for his more mainstream artists whereas Bizarre was the home to some of his more obscure acts. One might argue that Alice Cooper being signed to Straight was (pardon the pun) rather bizarre but it was clear that Zappa, even at this early stage, saw the potential commercial success that the Group might achieve. Zapped featured artists from both labels yet only featured the distinctive blue Bizarre labels on the vinyl itself.

 

Zapped was not available in stores, instead fans had to send a mere $1 dollar in the post with it turning up several weeks later. Clearly, this album was not a profitable venture but it's value to Zappa was that it presented a platform for him to showcase his artists to fans that may otherwise never get to discover them.

 

Zapped was produced with two cover variants, mine features a portrait picture of Zappa whereas the alternative featured a collage design (see below). My version features a simple card sleeve, the vinyl is contained within a paper sleeve which details some of Zappa's principles towards record production.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Zapped 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Bizarre Records, Pro 368

 

I was lucky to be gifted this alternative version of Zapped by hardcore Alice Cooper Group fan Chris Daniels. Chris has a marvellous collection of records (probably the finest in the UK), featuring many rare releases. Thank you Chris, you are very generous!

 

Not only does this feature the alternative collage cover, it also actually includes Reflected (rather than Refrigerator Heaven) on the labels / disc.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Bizarre Records, WS 1845

This is one of the most infamous and sought-after of Alice Cooper items. The reason for this is that, whilst the sleeve is identical to the more common USA Straight-labelled copy of the same code (above), the vinyl features blue Bizarre labels. Alice Cooper was signed to Frank Zappa's Straight label, not his Bizarre sister-label, so this is a genuine anomaly.

 

Various stories exist regarding how this occurred and how many copies exist. One plausible explanation is that, during the pressing of Easy Action, a number of records were accidentally stamped with Bizarre labels that were supposed to be used on a different release. This may, possibly, have been a result of confusion brought about by the fact that Alice Cooper appeared on the Bizarre-labelled Zapped album (above). It should be remembered at this point that this is the same manufacturer that managed to get the order of the last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) in the wrong order on the back of the album sleeve!

 

One suspects that this error was identified fairly quickly with most the mis-printed stock removed and destroyed. Clearly though, some made it out of the factory and into record stores. Exactly how many is unknown but, given the very small number that come up for sale, I suspect that there may be less than 50 doing the rounds. The funny thing is that some may still be sat in people's attics or in car boot sales. For those in the know though, they are able to command many hundreds of dollars to the right buyer!

 

My copy was purchased on eBay from the son of Glenn Danzig no less (allegedly). The seller was able to provide the following information on the origin of this record for me:

 

I got this from Natalie Natero, who passed away in 2007.  She was a big Alice Cooper fan and also dated me and my father (true story)!  I got this back in 1999 as a Christmas gift.

 

This copy is in truly excellent condition with minimal wear-and-tear to the sleeve. The vinyl is in perfect condition and plays beautifully (before you ask, yes it does actually feature the music from Easy Action).

 

This record came in at Number 4 on a list of the top 5 rarest Alice Cooper group vinyl releases (the rest all being early single releases). 

 

For more information on this most collectable of items, visit this excellent Facebook page!  At the time of writing, only ~12 copies of this album (including mine) have been accounted for. Two of the most recent copies to come up for sale, in February 2016 and June 2020, sold for whopping totals of $665 and $750 respectively (see images below).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

eBay auction for same record in February 2016
eBay auction for same record in June 2020

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Warner Brothers, WS 1845

This Canadian 1st pressing of Easy Action is identical to the Straight USA version (above) with the exception that it features distinctive gold Warner Brothers vinyl labels. These were used on Warner Brothers albums up until the late 60's (Easy Action was recorded in 1969, so appears to have just made the cut) prior to the change to their iconic olive green labels. 

 

Other than this release, and somewhat randomly, this style of label is believed to have only been seen again on Mexican pressings of Easy Action (below), Killer, School's Out and Billion Dollar Babies.

 

The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are again presented in an incorrect order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hard Rock / Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Warner Brothers, GX 01-382

 

This rare Mexican 12" 1st pressing of Easy Action is unique as it features the alternative title 'Hard Rock'. I'm not sure why this is the case but can only assume it's because Easy Action was considered inappropriate. Another oddity is that the rear of the sleeve features an alternative design, with bilingual (i.e. Spanish and English) track listings and the image of the Alice Cooper Group now presented in black-and-white. Also provided is the text 'ES UNA GRABACION EN ALTA FIDELIDAD' (i.e. 'IT IS A HIGH FIDELITY RECORDING').

 

Elsewhere, gone is the original gatefold design and the disc now features distinctive gold bilingual Warner Brothers vinyl labels. This style of label is believed to have only been seen again on initial Canadian pressings of Easy Action (above) plus Mexican releases of School's Out and Billion Dollar Babies. I don't know why these were used instead of the iconic olive green labels, but they certainly make these releases unique.

 

Unlike the USA and Canadian versions, the last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are presented in the correct order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1970, Straight Records, STS 1061

This UK 1st pressing of Easy Action features an alternative Straight logo on the front and back compared to the USA version (above) and reconfigured 2nd generation Straight vinyl labels. Also, the rear of the sleeve has some additional text from the manufacturer added at the bottom.

 

Unlike the USA and Canadian versions, the last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are presented in the correct order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1972 (Approx), Warner Brothers, WS 1845

This USA re-issue of Easy Action is almost identical to the 1st pressing (above) but instead features green Warner Brothers vinyl labels. The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are again presented in an incorrect order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hard Rock / Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1981, Warner Brothers, LWB-5086

This Mexican 12" re-issue of Easy Action is unique as, like the 1st pressing (above), it features the alternative title 'Hard Rock' and bilingual (i.e. Spanish and English) track listings. This version features another oddity in that the rear of the sleeve now includes an alternative image of Alice only (which appears to date around the From The Inside era).

 

Elsewhere, gone is the original gatefold design and the disc now features white bilingual Warner Brothers labels.

 

The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are presented in the correct order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

1982 (Approx), Warner Brothers, WS 1845

This Canadian re-issue of Easy Action was released in the early 1980's, comes in a simple card sleeve and features cream Warner Brothers labels. A patriotic addition is a small black maple leaf on the rear of the sleeve.

 

The last two tracks (i.e. Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) are again presented in an incorrect order on the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2009, Rhino Records, WS 1845

Picking up a decent condition vinyl copy of Easy Action, at a good price, is not easy. Thankfully, Rhino Records re-issued the album in the USA on chunky 180 gram vinyl in 2009. Similar versions were also produced for the Pretties For You and Love It To Death albums.

 

This is a rather basic reproduction, with a simple card sleeve in place of the original gatefold design. Additionally, the vinyl labels feature the latter 'Palm Tree' Warner Brothers design. Nevertheless, this, or one of the subsequent re-issues (below), are definitely worth obtaining to use as a playable copy of this iconic album.

 

This copy has the incorrect track listing from the original vinyl release (above) on the back of the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2009, Rhino Records, WS 1845

This further 'Collectors Limited Edition' USA vinyl re-issue of Easy Action by Rhino Records is the same as the above version only it features an alternative hype sticker on the front and an opaque pink marble effect disc. Similar versions were also produced for the Pretties For You and Love It To Death albums.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2009, Rhino Records, WS 1845

This further USA vinyl re-issue of Easy Action by Rhino Records is almost exactly the same as the above version only that it features an opaque light green marble effect disc instead.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2009, Rhino Records, WS 1845

 

This further USA vinyl re-issue of Easy Action by Rhino Records is almost exactly the same as the above version only that it features an opaque dark green marble effect disc instead.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2009, Rhino Records, WS 1845

This further USA vinyl re-issue of Easy Action by Rhino Records is almost exactly the same as the above versions only that it features an opaque brown marble effect disc instead.

 

I purchased this sealed in the hope it was the opaque purple marble effect version that I needed to complete what I think will have been every Alice Cooper colour vinyl release. I was, therefore, surprised to find this further colour and have now concluded that this release was subject to multiple random colour effects (making each one unique). For this reason, it probably falls under the same category as the Live From The Astroturf 12" Random Mix Splatter release in that it's impossible to collect every variant.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 12" Vinyl Album

2018, Rhino Entertainment, RCV1 1845

This 'Limited' 140 gram vinyl re-issue of Easy Action was released in January 2018 at the same time as additional releases of Killer and Welcome To My Nightmare. Each featured different colour vinyl and production numbers with this one pressed in opaque gold and being limited to 4,600 units worldwide.

 

Unlike the above re-issues of Easy Action this version retains the gatefold design of the original album but, interestingly, does correct the track listing error on the back of the sleeve. Also, this version features the classic green Warner Brothers vinyl stickers.

 

Unfortunately, this version will forever be notable for one reason. It was discovered just 6 days before release date (Friday 26th January 2018) that all 4,600 units had accidentally been pressed with the music of the Killer release. To make matters worse, all the Killer vinyls (5,200 in number) were pressed with Easy Action music resulting in 9,800 faulty products. Doh!

 

Upon identifying this issue, a recall letter was quickly issued to retailers (see example image below), but it didn't stop several making their way out of shops. Nobody knows how many people obtained them but these will probably become quite sought after, as this is a curious error. In the case of this album, the error is highly ironic given the legendary Bizarre version of Easy Action (see below).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: Further vinyl copies of this album are featured in the Compilations section of this website.

Easy Action 8-Track Album

1970, Straight Records, 8WM 1845

 

This rare USA 1st edition 8-Track album on the Straight Records label features a yellow cartridge and, interestingly, includes the artwork from the rear of the vinyl album on the front. One can only assume that with space for just one image, a decision was taken that the faces of the Alice Cooper Group had to take priority. A further wrap-around sticker provides track listings, the product code and confirms that this release was distributed by Warner Brothers.

 

One notable aspect of this release is that the track order is different to the usual arrangement, with Shoe Salesman, Below Your Means and Beautiful Flyaway appearing out-of-place. Also, the length of Below Your Means (6:41) is such that it spans more than one of the 'programs' on the cartridge (meaning that it had interrupted playback as the reading head changed position). This illustrates the limitations of this music format. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 8-Track Album

Unknown Year, Warner Brothers, WAR M 81845

This USA re-issue 8-Track album features a black cartridge and includes the artwork from the rear of the vinyl album and track listings on the front. The wrap-around sticker also provides the product code and address for Warner Brothers' Burbank offices in California on the side.

 

As with the USA 1st edition 8-Track album (above) the track order is different to the usual arrangement.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action Cassette Album

1970, Warner Brothers, WAR M 51845

This USA 1st edition cassette of Easy Action features a black 'Snapcase' box with wraparound paper cover with abridged artwork and track listings. As with the 8-track versions of this album (above) the included artwork is that from the rear of the vinyl album. The grey cassette features white stickers that also includes the track listings.

 

Mr. And Misdemeanor is incorrectly spelt 'Mr. And Misdeameanor' on both the cassette and case.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action Cassette Album

Unknown Year, Warner Brothers, CWX 1845

This Canadian cassette of Easy Action features a simple one-sided J-card containing abridged artwork and track listings. Inside is a black tape with printed additional track listings. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action CD Album

1989, Rhino, 81227 99270

This European CD version of Easy Action comes in a jewel case and features a very basic fold-out booklet containing artwork from the original vinyl release (above). Unlike the original vinyl release, the CD version has the correct track order listed on the back. Interestingly though, the CD features the black and red font of the misprinted USA vinyl release (above) rather than the 'correct' black and white font.
 
Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action 'Mini LP' SHM CD Album

2011, Warner Brothers, WPCR-14300

In 2011, all the Alice Cooper albums from Pretties For You through to From The Inside were re-issued in Japan on 'Super High Material' (SHM) CD format. SHM CD's are, apparently, made of improved material, that provides a clearer medium for the reading of the data and so reduces read errors and thus can improve sound quality.

 

A notable feature of all the SHM releases is that they closely replicate the original packaging of the vinyl releases. In the case of Easy Action, this is a fairly basic gatefold sleeve, so this is obviously reflected here (including the incorrect order of the track listing). An additional black-and-white bilingual lyric booklet and external 'Obi Strip' are also provided (both of which are common features of Japanese music releases). 

 

What would have been really cool though is if they had made the CDs look more like miniature vinyl discs. What is offered is still more than satisfactory though and the SHM releases are definitely the quintessential Alice Cooper CD editions of all the available variants out there.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: Further CD copies of this album are featured in the Compilations and The Studio Albums 1969-1983 sections of this website.

Shoe Salesman 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1970, Warner Brothers, 7398

This USA 7" promotional vinyl single features white Warner Brothers labels, comes in a Warner Brothers paper sleeve, and includes Shoe Salesman on Side A and Return Of The Spiders on Side B (both from the Easy Action album). Each label includes an 'Intro' time, which helped DJs to understand how long they had to introduce a song prior to the lyrics beginning. 

 

Finally, a notable feature of this release is that Glen Buxton is shockingly referred to as 'Glen Baxton' on the labels! I think it's fair to say that the Easy Action era was the most cursed for unfortunate pressing errors!

 

Oddly, no retail copy of this single on the Warner Brothers label is believed to have been released in the USA (however, see below for details of an alternative, Straight Records-labelled, retail version).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Shoe Salesman 7" Vinyl Single

1970, Warner Brothers, 7398

This rare Canadian 7" vinyl single features green Warner Brothers labels (the first Alice Cooper single to do so), comes in a Warner Brothers paper sleeve, and includes Shoe Salesman on Side A and Return Of The Spiders on Side B (both from the Easy Action album).

 

There appears to be confusion about whether this is a promotional or commercial release (no white-labelled version is believed to exist). However, there is nothing printed on the labels to suggest that it is a promotional copy so I'm working on the basis that it is a retail copy.

 

As with the USA promotional copy (above) Glen Buxton is referred to as 'Glen Baxton' on the labels!

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Other Shoe Salesman 7" Vinyl Variants

 

In addition to the above releases, two further Straight Records-labelled USA versions of the Shoe Salesman 7" vinyl single, one promotional and one retail were produced (see images below).

 

These are both very hard-to-find and rarely come up for sale (the pink-labelled retail copy appears to be the rarest of the two).

Radio Spots For Easy Action 7" Promotional Vinyl

1970, Warner Brothers, Pro 392

This USA 7" promotional vinyl features white Warner Brothers labels, a Warner Brothers paper sleeve, and includes 2 identical 60 second 'Radio Spots' for the Easy Action album on both Sides A and B. Radio Spots were basically audio adverts that were given to DJs by music labels in order to promote their latest releases between songs.

 

A transcript for the 2 Radio Spots included on this release is provided below:

 

Radio Spot 1

 

Music: Return of the Spiders

 

Pssstt, wanna cop some easy action hmmm? Alice Cooper’s ready!  She prettied for you before on Straight Records, now Alice Cooper’s 2nd LP offering, Easy Action. Just to shake your jaded musical lust.

 

Alice Cooper comes on really strong. Easy Action by Alice Cooper on Straight Records. Alice Cooper a mental ordinate(?) that lasts!

 

Radio Spot 2

 

Music: Mr and Misdemeanor

 

Alice Cooper, such a lovely child. Pity though, she’s so violent. Alice Cooper is unisex, raw, together and violent, just like you fellow American. Because there’s a little bit of Alice cooper in us all!

 

Now look, you wouldn’t really want to take a thing like Alice Cooper home to mother, would you? Alice Cooper, their new album Easy Action, all for you on, you’ll forgive the word, Straight Records!

 

A Radio Spots release also exists for the Love It To Death album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Easy Action Pressing Errors Summary

To summarise the information above, the Easy Action era was subject to the following production errors...

 

Error 1 (1970)*: Misprinted / withdrawn front cover (black and red 'Alice Cooper' font instead of black and white);

 

Error 2 (1970)*: Misprinted rear cover (Beautiful Flyaway and Lay Down And Die, Goodbye) presented in incorrect order;

 

Error 3 (1970)*: Vinyl stamped with incorrect blue Bizarre labels*;

 

Error 4 (2018): Vinyl pressed with music of Killer;

 

Error 5 (1970): Glen Buxton spelt 'Glen Baxton' on all four different pressings; of the Shoe Salesman 7" vinyl single; and

 

Error 6 (~1973): Mr. And Misdemeanor incorrectly spelt 'Mr. And Misdeameanor' on the original cassette version. 

 

*Pressings with errors 1 and 3 all include error 2 as well.

For the Love It To Death era Click Here.