Tuesday, July 29: Jaguar, "Dutch Connection"
Power Games captured the spirit and ethos of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal as well as Spellbound or Lightning to the Nations, but Jaguar’s debut came out just a bit after the movement crested, so even though “Dutch Connection” was a slamming and enthusiastic opener there was a sense that the party was pretty much over and everyone was ready to move on. The track was prototypical NWOBHM, right down to coming out on Neat Records: Garry Peppard’s riff slammed on the gas alongside the charging rhythm section and Paul Merrell’s vocals were unpolished but enthusiastic and charming. In truth, “Dutch Connection” should’ve been heralded as one of the great bangers from the scene, as it contained virtually everything that made the moment burn so bright, and ultimately the only thing holding it back was timing.
