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A 2CD REISSUE INCLUDING THE FIRST TWO FIRST - NEW MASTERING - FULL BOOKLET WITH PICS AND LYRICS = In 1988, a horror film entitled Child's Play was released in the United States. Directed by Tom Holland, it was the first in a series of films devoted to the Chucky doll. Two years later, a band from Baltimore, Maryland, emerged from the darkness of the industrial city: Child's Play. But let's go back to the beginning. Guitarist Brian Jack and Larry Hinshaw (original singer) met while working at a local restaurant and decided to form a band, later adding Phil Wiser on bass and Steve Albinak on drums. The band would later choose the name Childs Play. At the same time a few miles away John Allen, Nicky Kay and Idzi were playing in a band called ANTIX (not to be confused with the Don Dokken-produced group of the same name). They soon changed their stage name to EAST SIDE KIDS and though younger than the guys in Child's Play would soon see their careers intersect with the rival band. Child's Play plucked bandmate Jimmy Shafer from Eastside Kids just before playing their debut shows and soon after added John Allen on drums. The band began playing four nights a week while John and Jimmy were attending High School in early 1984. Not long after Jimmy left Child's Play and the band grabbed Nicky Kay as a replacement. The combo toured the local venues, gaining in recognition. In 1986, a 5-track E.P., Ruff House, was released on Rampant records, selling over 5,000 copies within three months of it's release. Some tracks are played on FM stations in states surrounding Maryland, such as Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Maryland Musical selects John Allen as Best Drummer four years in a row, and the band follows in the footsteps of it's glorious predecessors KIX and WRATHCHILD AMERICA, originally from the region and signed to major labels. In 1987, Idzi joined the band. Now made up of Brian Jack (vocals, guitars), Nicky Kay (guitars), Idzi (bass) and John Allen (drums), CHILD'S PLAY was ready for the big adventure. In 1987 after the addition of longtime friend Idzi into the fold and the departure of original lead singer Larry Hinshaw, John and Nicky decided to make a concerted effort to get the band a record deal. They went to New York to knock on the doors of record companies. Shortly after they were approached by a local manager who asked them to give him a year and he would get them signed. Within a month he booked the band into the infamous Cat Club in New York. The band's set was after 2:30 am on a Wednesday! But as luck would have it - an A&R man from MCA records just happened to see the set and started to work with the band. Unfortunately, the next Autumn the entire staff that the band was negotiating with were terminated. Enter Chrysalis Records! The band signed in late 1989 and entered the studio in January of 1990. The album Rat Race was released on June 26th, 1990. It was produced by Howard Benson, a young producer known for his work with PRETTY BOY FLOYD and BANG TANGO. The album brings together influences such as KISS, Van Halen and AEROSMITH, as well as hardcore sounds like RAMONES or MISFITS and of course AC/DC. These disparate influences are well blended and digested, resulting in a unique and magnificent sound that's hard to categorize when listening to this wonderful album.