This diz-busting Blue Öyster Cult live radio broadcast, from Sherman Oaks' 1,000-capacity Reseda Country Club, was sponsored by Los Angeles' top hard rock FM station, KMET - aka 'The Mighty Met'. Although BÖC had recently completed an extensive 60-plus date nationwide tour accompanied by Mancunian boogie-merchants Foghat, this one-off gig was without a support, and all tickets were given away free by the broadcasters. Amongst the audience for this landmark West Coast concert was Sylvie Simmons, local reporter for leading UK music weekly the 'New Musical Express'. She welcomed the more intimate nature of the event, noting that last time BÖC had played in the area the venue was one of those monstrous stadium fiascos where, without binoculars, it's a bit like watching the bumps on a page of Braille. Setting the scene for this evening's performance, she wrote: BÖC start out pretty revved up with Dr. Music. Allen Lanier's out front doing a Stevie Nicks, shaking a heavy metal tambourine, Joseph Bouchard's trying to outdo him on the maracas, and Eric Bloom's going Hey LA and rabble rousing quite wonderfully. The nucleus of Blue Öyster Cult had come together some 14 years earlier, when guitarist Buck Dharma, drummer Albert Bouchard and keyboardist/guitarist Allen Lanier formed Soft White Underbelly on Long Island, New York, in 1967. After the line-up had mutated to include Eric Bloom (vocals and guitar) and recorded two unreleased albums for Elektra Records (the second under a new name, The Stalk Forrest Group), they eventually became Blue Öyster Cult in 1971, with bassist Joe Bouchard replacing original member Andrew Winters. The band's name originated in a poem by their svengali-like manager Sandy Pearlman and referred to a group of mysterious aliens. Their eponymous debut album was released in January 1972. The band quickly gained momentum during the 1970s, building up their early cult following to become a major concert draw. They were patronised by New York's hippest punk-poetess, Patti Smith, via her then relationship with Allen Lanier, who co-wrote songs on BÖC albums including 'Tyranny and Mutation' (1973) and 'Secret Treaties' (1974). Most successful of all thus far was the 1975 live album, 'On Your Feet or on Your Knees', which was BÖC's first gold record. Its successor, 'Agents Of Fortune' (1976) featured the band's best known song, the melodic hard rock classic, (Don't Fear) The Reaper, which reached number 12 on the Billboard chart and has been a radio staple ever since. Later, around the turn of the decade, Eric Bloom co-wrote some songs with legendary Science Fantasy writer Michael Moorcock which featured on albums including 'Cultösaurus Erectus' (1980) and 'Fire of Unknown Origin' (1981). 'Fire of Unknown Origin' was BÖC's current release when this broadcast recording was made. The band were on a roll as Burnin' For You had hit the US Top 40 and the album went on to become a platinum-seller. In addition to that track, live versions of Veteran of the Psychic Wars, Joan Crawford and Heavy Metal are all included herein. Other earlier BÖC classics showcased in this superb performance include Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll (from their debut album), Hot Rails To Hell, The Red and the Black (from 'Tyranny and Mutation') and E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) and (Don't Fear) The Reaper (from 'Agents of Fortune'). Blue Öyster Cult's choice of cover versions is admirable and both Mars Bonfire's perennial rocker, Born To Be Wild, popularised by Steppenwolf, and the Doors relentless Roadhouse Blues - with guest guitarist Robby Krieger adding extra muscle here - fit perfectly with the group's own riff-laden monsters.