Hey Stoopid Era

Background

Hey Stoopid is the 19th 'Alice Cooper' studio album and was released in 1991. After the worldwide success of Trash, Alice's first album of the 90's maintained a similar, commercially friendly, approach but with a much needed injection of his own personality. The result is a more interesting, honest, album and one that provides greater overall satisfaction than its better-known sibling. 

 

He again drew input from a host of stars including Slash (of Guns N' Roses), Ozzy Osborne and Nikki Sixx / Mick Mars (both from Mötley Crüe). Desmond Child was again involved, but only on a few tracks that were originally intended for Trash, so the external input is subtle throughout, ensuring Alice was the dominant creative force this time round.

 

The anthemic title track, Alice's upbeat anti-suicide message, is no Poison but demands attention from someone who's successfully fought his own personal demons. Love's A Loaded Gun, Snakebite and Burning Our Bed are solid efforts that serve as satisfactory appetisers for what is to follow. Dangerous Tonight is an atmospheric, predatory, rocker delivered in sinister fashion before transitioning seamlessly into the soaring seven-minute ballad Might As Well Be On Mars, a heartbreak tale of epic proportions.

 

Feed My Frankenstein, the well-known hit song that featured on the Wayne's World motion picture, is a fine number but probably doesn't entirely justify the heavy rotation that its widespread fame demands of it (in fact, there's better material on this album that has barely seen the light of day). A little know fact is that it was originally written (and released the same year) by the British hard rock group Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction.

 

A distinct melodic presence is felt as the album begins to draw out, with Hurricane Years, Little By Little and Die For You brimming with arena rock appeal and seeing Alice in fine vocal fettle. Dirty Dreams is probably the weakest track on the album, with its rudimentary delivery feeling somewhat lost amongst far more charismatic company (come to think of it, it probably would have sounded more at home on the Trash album).

 

The album closer, Wind Up Toy, is a majestic number that represents the very best of Alice. It's eerie, uplifting and mesmerising in equal measure and still sounds timeless after all these years. A cruelly underappreciated gem and one that features the ghostly mention of 'Steven' who we would shortly reacquaint ourselves with on Alice's next album...

Hey Stoopid Album Cover

Hey Stoopid 12" Promotional Vinyl Album

1991, Epic, 4684161

This European 12" promotional vinyl album comes in a simple card sleeve and features an image of a skull in Alice make-up crossed by mannequin arms, flanked by a snake and chains, and set against a colourful backdrop emblazoned with jewels, money, blades, spiderwebs, make-up brushes and nails. On the rear of the sleeve are track listings and credits, which are dwarfed by a large image of Alice, dressed in leather and holding a whip aloft. Also provided on the rear cover is a 'Property of Sony Music Demonstration Only Not for Sale' sticker. 

 

The disc features white Epic labels, which are identical to European stock copies (i.e. the sticker on the rear is the only way to differentiate promotional copies from stock copies). The black and white inner sleeve features track listings, lyrics and credits.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 12" Vinyl Album

1991, Epic, 4684161

This European 12" vinyl version of Hey Stoopid is exactly the same as the promotional copy (above) only that it doesn't feature the additional promotional sticker on the back of the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 12" Vinyl Album

2014, Friday Music, FRM-46786

This welcome USA re-issue by Friday Music features blue Epic labels, comes on chunky 180 gram vinyl and sounds great when played. Like several of the other re-issues, the packaging is different with a gatefold design replacing the simple sleeve of the original.  

 

The lyrics and credits (which were originally printed on the inner dust sleeve) are now provided inside the gatefold cover and are set to a pink background rather than the original white one. The image of Alice with his whip is retained on the rear of the sleeve.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 12" Vinyl Album

2017, Music On Vinyl, MOVLP1863

This European vinyl re-issue of Hey Stoopid by Music On Vinyl, features blue Epic labels and comes in a simple card sleeve. It is limited to 1,500 individually stamped copies (of which this is #0442) and includes a vinyl insert featuring track listings, lyrics and credits. The vinyl colour is stated as silver but is more of an opaque marble grey effect.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid Cassette Album

1991, Epic, 4684164

This European cassette version of Hey Stoopid features similar, abridged, artwork to the vinyl version (above).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Stoopid News Promotional CD

1991, Epic, ESK 4161

This USA promotional CD features soundbites, read out by Alice, that could be used on radio stations when promoting the Hey Stoopid album. There are in 15 in total, each of which lasts about 1 minute and commences with the opening part of the album version of Hey Stoopid. They cover a range of themes and are similar to the types of story that Alice features during his subsequently launched Nights With Alice Cooper syndicate radio show.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here 

Hey Stoopid Promotional CD Album

1991, Epic, ESK 4085

This USA promotional CD features the entire Hey Stoopid album.  The cover features an enlarged version of the 'Alice Cooper Hey Stoopid' logo set to a black background. A yellow banner stating that this is a 'Special Advance Release Not For Sale' is also provided.  

 

The CD is almost identical to the official release, as is the back cover, only it is in monotone black and white. No booklet is present (the cover is just a single-sided piece of paper).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Album

1991, Epic, EPC 4684162

This European CD version of Hey Stoopid features a jewel case and fold-out booklet containing track listings, lyrics, credits and large image of Alice complete with whip.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Album

1991, Epic, 468416 2

This 'Limited Edition' Australian CD version of Hey Stoopid is almost identical to the European version (above) only that it features two bonus stickers based on the artwork provided in the fold-out booklet. A hype sticker confirming the additional content is provided on the front of the case. 

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Album

2013, Cherry Red Records, HNECD026

Released in September 2013, this nicely packaged European CD re-issue of Hey Stoopid contains enough items of interest to persuade fans to replace their tatty original copies of this excellent album.  

 

Firstly, we have the nicely presented 'Digpak' sleeve which unfolds to reveal the CD and some familiar artwork / photos from the Hey Stoopid era. There's then the excellent booklet which provides a fascinating insight into the album (together with more historical images) by journalist Malcolm Dome. These are both welcome touches which indicate that some effort has gone into this release rather than a half-hearted attempt to exploit fans. 

 

Finally, some additional tracks are included, all of which have been seen in some shape or form before, but never together. The Beba Edit of Hey Stoopid isn't worth getting excited about as it only contains a few minor editing changes from the original album version (see more detailed explanation below in the Hey Stoopid promo CD single feature). Fire is the OK cover of the Jimi Hendrix song of the same name and was previously available as a B Side to the Love's A Loaded Gun single (below) plus a few compilations over the years. The best of the three bonus tracks is undoubtably It Rained All Night, which was originally a B Side to the Hey Stoopid single release (below). It's one of those songs that should have made the original album and its inclusion alongside the rest of the album is very much welcome.

 

All-in-all this is a good release and I hope some of Alice's other back catalogue gets the same treatment, especially at the reasonable price that this was turned out at (about £7 on Amazon). However, there's one fairly substantial issue that I wish had been addressed. This is the failure to include some of the really interesting out-takes from the original album. Chemical Reaction is one such track (which has been doing the rounds unofficially for some time), there's also the rarer If Fourth Street Could Talk. I know these, plus potentially a few other tracks, are probably only available in demo form (and, therefore, are not of the same audio quality) but I still would have wanted them to be included.

 

A similar re-issue of Trash was released a few months later.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 'Blue-Spec' CD Album

2014, Epic, SICP 30669

This 'state-of-the-art' Japanese 'Blu-Spec' CD release of Hey Stoopid features the same track listings as the 2013 Cherry Red Records version (above) but is provided in a traditional jewel case and includes a far less interesting black-and-white booklet. An 'Obi Strip' is also provided (a common feature on Japanese music releases).

 

Blue-Spec CDs promise reduced distortion due to the use of a blue laser to create more precise pits (e.g. manufactured in similar way to Blu-Rays). I can't personally hear much difference between this and a standard recording, however, someone using more expensive kit may be able to. And before you ask, no, the CD is not blue, it's the same as a normal disc.

 

The booklet is very disappointing with six pages of Japanese on Alice's history followed by both English and Japanese lyrics. There are no pictures at all other than that shown above on the back of the booklet.

 

A similar re-issue of Trash was also released at the same time.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Album

2009, Epic, 8869745570227

This budget Czech Republic CD re-issue of Hey Stoopid features a unique A5 card sleeve that includes abridged artwork from the original release (above) on the front and back. Additional 'CD Sport' branding and promotional material for other releases are also provided. 

 

The CD simply slots into the top of the sleeve. No booklet is provided, making this a very basic package.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

NOTE: A further CD copy of this album is featured in the Compilations section of this website.

Hey Stoopid MiniDisc Album

1997 (Approx), Epic, 4684163

Hey Stoopid was one of just 3 albums to be released in Europe on Sony's ill-fated MiniDisc format (the others being The Last Temptation and the Classicks compilation album). MiniDiscs provided the convenience and digital sound quality of CD's but with the robustness of cassettes as the disc was stored in a protective hard shell. Unfortunately, they were launched probably 10 years too late (in the mid 90's) with the advent of music downloads meaning that they never really took off.

 

This album is presented in a similar manner to the CD version, the most notable difference though is that the original poster inlay is replaced with a more traditional booklet with images and text juggled around. The disc itself also has the cover art on it.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, ARIE 3025

 

This Spanish 7" promotional vinyl single features unique yellow Epic labels, comes in a generic card sleeve, and includes Hey Stoopid on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album). Side B is uncut, with the label left blank. The vinyl labels state 'DISCO PROMOCIONAL PROHIBIDA SU VENTA' (i.e. 'PROMOTIONAL DISC FORBIDDEN FOR SALE').

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 34-73845

 

This USA 7" vinyl single features blue Epic labels, comes in a generic paper sleeve, and includes Hey Stoopid on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and the excellent bonus track It Rained All Night on Side B.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6569837

This UK 7" vinyl single features white Epic Warner labels, comes in a card sleeve, and includes Hey Stoopid on Side A and Wind Up Toy on Side B (both from the Hey Stoopid album).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 12" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6569836

This European 12" vinyl single features white Epic Warner labels, comes in a card sleeve, and includes Hey Stoopid and Wind Up Toy (both from the Hey Stoopid album) on Sides A and B respectively, plus the excellent bonus track It Rained All Night on Side B.

 

The sleeve features near identical artwork to the 7" version (above).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 12" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6569838

This UK 12" vinyl picture disc single includes artwork from the album Hey Stoopid and includes Hey Stoopid and Wind Up Toy (both from the Hey Stoopid album) on Sides A and B respectively, plus the excellent bonus track It Rained All Night on Side B.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid Promotional CD Single

1991, Epic, DISP 001063

This USA promotional CD comes in a 'Digipak' style case with the front image orientated so that the cover opens from the top rather than the right as you'd usually expect. Randomly, the rear image is orientated the other way around so that it appears upside down if turned over. Inside are lyrics and credits and a yellow CD, which states 'DEMONSTRATION ONLY NOT FOR SALE'. 

 

There are 2 version of Hey Stoopid included. The 'Beba Edit' sounds interesting, but with a running time of 3:56, is simply the album version without the 19 second crescendo opening and with 20 seconds less material at the end (Alice still ends the song by saying "Hey Stoopid" though). The other track is the album version but without the opening crescendo.

 

On this subject, it is worth stating that there are number of variations in the running time of Hey Stoopid across the single releases shown below. For information, the album version is 4:35 in length but the single versions vary between 3:56, 4:12, 4:15 and 4:21. The actual differences are very trivial though, with the 'Beba Edit' being the most notable.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Single

1991, Epic, 6569839

This European CD single comes in a slimline jewel case and features a 'Special Version' of Hey Stoopid and Wind-Up Toy (both from the Hey Stoopid album) plus the excellent B-Side track It Rained All Night.

 

Eagle-eyed fans will also spot that, whilst looking the same as part of the album cover (above), the artwork is transposed (with the metal arm now clearly seen on the left, rather than the right).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid CD Single

1991, Epic, 6569835

This further European 'Maxi CD Single' has the same musical content as the above version but features different artwork and CD.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid 3" Mini CD Single

1991, Epic, 6569831

Hey Stoopid, 3" 'Snap-Pack' Mini CD Single

This European 3" 'Mini CD' comes in a gatefold sleeve and includes Hey Stoopid and Wind Up Toy (both from the Hey Stoopid album). Unlike the other Hey Stoopid singles, this one has non-transposed artwork on it.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

1991, Epic, ESDA 7074

This Japanese 'Snap-Pack' 3" 'Mini CD' features Hey Stoopid and Wind-Up Toy (both from the Hey Stoopid album). The rear of the pack features track listings, lyrics (for Hey Stoopid only) and credits.

 

This is one of only 3 'Snap-Pack' Alice releases, with the others being House Of Fire and Only My Heart Talkin' from the Trash album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun 7" Promotional Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, ARIE 3047

 

This Spanish 7" promotional vinyl single features unique yellow Epic labels, comes in a generic card sleeve, and includes Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album). Side B is uncut, with the label left blank. The vinyl labels state 'DISCO PROMOCIONAL PROHIBIDA SU VENTA' (i.e. 'PROMOTIONAL DISC FORBIDDEN FOR SALE').

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 34-73983

 

This USA 7" vinyl single features blue Epic labels, comes in a generic paper sleeve, and includes Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Fire on Side B.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6574387

This UK 7" vinyl single features white Epic labels, comes in a card sleeve, and includes Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Fire on Side B.

 

The rear sleeve features the lyrics to Love's A Loaded Gun and Alice's September and October 1991 tour dates in the UK. Inside the sleeve is a competition entry card for a chance to meet and great Alice Cooper.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here 

Love's A Loaded Gun 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6574387

This European 7" vinyl single features white Epic labels, comes in a card sleeve, and includes Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Fire on Side B.

 

Bizarrely, the label on Side B has Alice Cooper inexcusably misspelled as 'Allice Cooper'!

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun 12" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6574388

This UK 12" vinyl single features artwork from the Hey Stoopid album and features Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a live version of Eighteen (from the 1991 concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, USA) plus the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix on Side B.

 

Also provided on Side A are the tour dates for the autumn 1991 shows in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, whereas on Side B are the lyrics to Love's A Loaded Gun.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun 12" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6574386

This European 12" vinyl single features white Epic labels, comes in a card sleeve, and includes Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a live version of Eighteen (from the 1991 concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, USA) plus the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix on Side B.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun Cassette Single

1991, Epic, 6574384

This UK cassette single features Love's A Loaded Gun on Side A (from the Hey Stoopid album) and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Fire on Side B. The inlay features Alice's September and October 1991 tour dates in the UK.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun Promotional CD Single

1991, Epic, ESK 73983

This USA promotional CD comes in a jewel case complete with paper inlay and features only Love's A Loaded Gun (from the Hey Stoopid album).

 

The CD states 'DEMONSTRATION ONLY - NOR FOR SALE' whereas the rear of the case states 'PROMO CD - NOT FOR SALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun Promotional CD Single

1991, Epic, EXPCD 162

 

This UK promotional CD comes in a card sleeve and includes Love's A Loaded Gun (from the Hey Stoopid album), a live version of Eighteen (from the 1991 concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles) and the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix.

 

The rear of the sleeve states 'PROMO ONLY - NOT FOR SALE'.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun CD Single

1991, Epic, 6574389

This unique UK release features a CD contained within in a large die-cut sleeve shaped like a gun. The disc is revealed by releasing the gun catch and includes Love's A Loaded Gun (from the Hey Stoopid album), a live version of Eighteen (from the 1991 concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles) and the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix.

 

On the back of the gun are the UK tour dates for 1991, which took place during September and October of that year.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun CD Single

1991, Epic, 6574382

This Dutch 'Maxi CD Single' comes in a slimline jewel case and includes Love's A Loaded Gun (from the Hey Stoopid album), a live version of Eighteen (from the 1991 concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Los Angeles) and the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun Promotional CD Single

1991, Epic, 6574385

This Australian promotional CD single comes in a simple card sleeve and includes Love's A Loaded Gun (from the Hey Stoopid album) and the cover of Fire by Jimi Hendrix. Also included is a bonus cloth 'Alice Cooper Love's A Loaded Gun' badge, which was not offered in any other country.

 

On the rear of the sleeve are track listings and credits together with promotional material for the Hey Stoopid album. Also provided on the rear of the sleeve is a gold 'PROMOTION ONLY NOT FOR SALE' stamp.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Love's A Loaded Gun CD Single

1991, Epic, 6574385

This Australian CD single is exactly the same as the promotional copy (above) only that it does not feature the gold stamp on the back.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein Promotional 12" Vinyl Single

1992, Epic, XPR 1772

Feed My Frankenstein was made popular through its appearance during Alice's cameo role in the 1992 hit film Wayne's World.

 

This UK 12" promotional vinyl single features white labels, comes in a card sleeve (with cut-out label hole), and includes Feed My Frankenstein and Burning Our Bed on Side A (both from the Hey Stoopid album) plus Poison and Only My Heart Talkin' on Side B (both from the Trash album).

 

Also provided is an A4 press release promoting Alice's cameo appearance in the Wayne's World movie of the same year. This contains numerous phrases from the movie and confirms that the Feed My Frankenstein single, including the incorrectly titled "Burning Our Beds" is to be released on the 25th May (1992).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein 7" Vinyl Single

1992, Epic, 6580927

This UK 7" vinyl single features white Epic labels, comes in a simple card sleeve and includes Feed My Frankenstein on Side A and Burning Our Bed on Side B (both from the Hey Stoopid album).

 

The front cover features an image of Alice performing the song 'live' during Wayne's World. On the back are the lyrics to Feed My Frankenstein, track listings, credits, two more images from the film and promotional material for the Hey Stoopid album.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein 12" Vinyl Single

1992, Epic, 6580926

This UK 12" picture vinyl single again features artwork from Alice's cameo role in Wayne's World and includes Feed My Frankenstein and Burning Our Bed on Side A (both from the Hey Stoopid album) plus Poison and Only My Heart Talkin' on Side B (both from the Trash album).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein Promotional CD Single

1992, Epic, 658155 2

 

This Australian promotional CD single comes in a slimline jewel and includes Feed My Frankenstein (from the Hey Stoopid album), plus Poison and Bed Of Nails (both from the Trash album). Also provided is silver 'PROMOTION ONLY NOT FOR SALE' text.

 

The front cover features an image of Alice performing the song 'live' during Wayne's World. On the inside are the lyrics to Feed My Frankenstein along with track listings, credits and a "we're not worthy!" image from the film.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein CD Single

1992, Epic, 6580922

This UK CD singles comes in a slimline jewel case, features a picture disc with an image of Alice from Wayne's World, and includes Feed My Frankenstein and Burning Our Bed (both from the Hey Stoopid album), plus Poison and Only My Heart Talkin' (both from the Trash album).

 

The front cover features an image of Alice performing the song 'live' during Wayne's World. On the inside are the lyrics to Feed My Frankenstein along with track listings, credits and a "we're not worthy!" image from the film.

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Feed My Frankenstein CD Single

1992, Epic, 6580929

This further UK CD single comes in a 'Digipak' case and features the same artwork as the above version, but in reconfigured order (for example, the image previously on the CD is now provided on the back of the case).

 

Poison and Only My Heart Talkin' are replaced by Hey Stoopid and Bed of Nails (from the Hey Stoopid and Trash albums respectively).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Burning Our Bed 7" Vinyl Single

1991, Epic, 6576917

This European 7" vinyl single features white Epic labels, comes in a simple card sleeve and includes Burning Our Bed on Side A and a live version of School's Out on Side B (recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York on 13th September 1991).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Burning Our Bed CD Single

1991, Epic, 6576912

Burning Our Bed was subject to a limited European release on CD and 7" vinyl formats. The cover features an image of Alice looking into a mirror whilst the CD contains Burning Our Bed (from the Hey Stoopid album) plus live versions of School's Out and Love's A Loaded Gun (both recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York on 13th September 1991).

 

Discogs Link: Click Here

Hey Stoopid Press Pack

1991

This USA press pack features a 2-page preview of Hey Stoopid, which includes several useful facts about the various people who contributed in some shape or form (these include Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Nikkie Sixx and Desmond Child). Present throughout are excerpts from an interview with Alice, who states that he wants the album to become an "Alice Cooper classic".

 

Also included are flyers for an in-store signing at an HMV store in Toronto plus a $2.00 voucher for fans purchasing the album on the same date (probably not much use now). This is the date of his infamous rooftop performance from the store.

 

Finally, a 4-page newsletter called Stoopid News is also included. This features dates for the August leg of his 1991 Operation Rock & Roll tour, details of some mail order merchandise, some Alice-related news / trivia.

For the The Last Temptation era Click Here.