Mamas Boys – Growing Up The Hard Way on vinyl LP. VG+. 1987 Northern Irish hard rock, Jive Records. Ships from Germany.
About Growing Up The Hard Way
A VG+ vinyl pressing of the fifth album from Northern Irish hard rock band Mama's Boys, formed by three brothers who began as award-winning traditional Irish musicians before turning to heavy metal.
Growing Up The Hard Way is an album by Mama’s Boys, released in 1987 via Jive Records. The band, formed by the McManus brothers of County Fermanagh, recorded the album with new vocalist Keith Murrell, formerly of Airrace, after founding member Rick Chase experienced ongoing vocal cord trouble. This listing is a VG+ vinyl pressing from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were Mama's Boys
- About Growing Up The Hard Way
- The band's journey to this album
- Pressing details and buying advice
Fast Facts
- Artist Mama’s Boys were a hard rock and heavy metal band from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, formed by brothers Pat, John and Tommy McManus.
- Release Growing Up The Hard Way came out in 1987 via Jive Records, the band’s fifth studio album.
- Vocalist change Recorded with new vocalist Keith Murrell, formerly of Airrace, after Rick Chase developed vocal cord issues.
- Background The McManus brothers began as award-winning traditional Irish musicians, inspired to form a rock band after becoming devoted fans of Celtic rock pioneers Horslips.
- Touring history The band supported Hawkwind on a UK tour and later toured with Thin Lizzy on their farewell tour, alongside a Reading Rock Festival appearance.
Mama's Boys – Growing Up The Hard Way (LP, Album, VG+)
Vinyl LP, Jive Records
Very Good Plus condition vinyl pressing of Growing Up The Hard Way, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were Mama's Boys?
The McManus brothers, Pat, John and Tommy, grew up on a farm near Derrylin, County Fermanagh, starting their musical journey as award-winning traditional Irish musicians before a shared devotion to Celtic rock pioneers Horslips, along with younger brother Tommy's growing passion for drums, inspired them to form a rock band of their own. Rather than pursuing the Celtic fusion sound of their heroes, the trio, initially known as Pulse before renaming to Mama's Boys, embraced a harder edged heavy metal direction, though guitarist Pat McManus, nicknamed The Professor, would still occasionally weave a fiddle solo into the band's sound. Their journey took them from a self-funded debut recorded in just four hours, through supporting Hawkwind on a UK tour and Thin Lizzy on that band's farewell tour, and a Reading Rock Festival appearance, before signing a worldwide record deal with Jive Records.
About Growing Up The Hard Way
By the time of this fifth album, the band had expanded from a trio into a four-piece, having added vocalist Rick Chase in 1986. When Chase began experiencing serious vocal cord trouble that ultimately required him to be rushed back to hospital during a tour, the band brought in Keith Murrell, formerly of the band Airrace, to complete recording on Growing Up The Hard Way. Spanning nine tracks including Waiting For A Miracle, Bedroom Eyes, Hot Blood and Blacklisted, the album continued the band's melodic, AOR-leaning hard rock sound, arriving at the tail end of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era. Murrell would go on to leave the band in 1988 to become a backing singer for Cliff Richard, marking the end of an eventful period for the band before further lineup changes followed.
- VG+ condition, a well kept vintage pressing
- From a genuinely distinctive Northern Irish hard rock band with traditional music roots
- Features vocalist Keith Murrell, later a backing singer for Cliff Richard
- Part of a well regarded catalogue that included touring with Thin Lizzy and Hawkwind
- Not a sealed or mint copy
- Some longtime fans note diminishing commercial returns from the band’s third album onward
- Niche appeal outside 1980s hard rock and AOR collectors
What is Growing Up The Hard Way by Mama's Boys?
It is the band’s fifth studio album, released in 1987 via Jive Records, a melodic hard rock and AOR record.
What condition is this vinyl copy in?
The sleeve is graded Very Good Plus (VG+).
Who were Mama's Boys?
A hard rock and heavy metal band from County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, formed by brothers Pat, John and Tommy McManus, who began as traditional Irish musicians.
Who sang on this album?
Keith Murrell, formerly of Airrace, recorded vocals after founding vocalist Rick Chase developed serious vocal cord trouble.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Should You Buy This Copy?
- A melodic, well regarded hard rock record from a distinctive Northern Irish band
- VG+ condition vinyl on Jive Records
- Best suited to fans of 1980s AOR and melodic hard rock
Growing Up The Hard Way captures Mama’s Boys navigating a pivotal lineup change with genuine craft, and this listing offers a VG+ pressing from a highly rated German seller.