siLLy puPPy THE PLADS was an oddball band for the early 1980s. This Ketchikan, Alaska based act with little to no information to be found, strangely seems to have started off as a new wave / power pop act and released a single titled “Calling Girls” in 1982 before adopting a more heavy metal styled approach without actually leaving the new wave aspects behind. The result was a strange musical hybrid of two completely different styles of music that existed side by side but never cross-paths except as separate distinct videos on MTV.

The band’s only release was the 1983 EP 7” vinyl release DOMINE DEUS which displayed classic NWOBHM elements such as on the excellent “Domine Deus” while some tracks like “Amen” sounded more like metallic versions of Oingo Boingo songs complete with the Danny Elfman goofy voice antics. What the album lacks in stylistic consistency, it more than makes up for in super catchy hooks and nails both the metal styles as well as the new wave ones. Despite the NWOBHM tag that many put on this though, the music isn’t really heavy enough to be considered bona fide metal and by today’s standards is really just hard rock with new wave tendencies.

The overall quality of the music is really good and the band had a knack for ridiculous catchy hooks with the musical talent to back it up. Unfortunately the band disappeared nearly as quickly as it emerged like the misty fog that blankets Southeastern Alaska. This sole release has never seen a reissuing and remains an underground obscurity and commanding hefty prices for any copies that happen to end up on the market. This is definitely one i would love to see re-released with any bonus tracks that may still be lurking in the shadows. A real gem actually.