Better Scream


"Better Scream" is the debut 7" single released by the first band incarnation of Pete Wylie, Wah! Heat after being a member of the short-lived Crucial Three and the Mystery Girls. It was also Wylie's third serious project. When the English Opium Eaters collapsed due to musical differences, Wylie then joined local band Crash Course but left taking drummer Rob Jones with him. Wah! Heat was formed in late 1979.
The original band consisted during this time of Pete Wylie on vocals and guitar, Rob Jones on drums and former Those Naughty Lumps' guitarist Pete Younger on bass. By the time the single was recorded, Mick Jones had joined on keyboards.
"Better Scream" was first released in late 1979, and in February 1980 was reviewed the same week as Wylie's former colleague Julian Cope released his third single "Treason" with the Teardrop Explodes. "Better Scream" received critical acclaim by the British press and magazines like Sounds and the NME. John Peel also noticed the band, and was so impressed by their 7" debut that he invited them to record their first Peel Session in late spring 1980.

Track listing

  1. "Better Scream" - 3:25
  2. "Hey Joe" - 5:00