THE BOB- MAY/JUNE 1987- Issue 30-
LOTUS STP- MILLION DOLLAR RING
Jargon Records

Former Invisible Party members Chaz Lockwood and Stan Merril have combined talents with some other Rochester, New York musicians to form LOTUS STP-- perhaps the best rocking band in upstate New York at the moment. Their debut album, "Million Dollar Ring", is a good solid reflection of that fact.
"Rock Slide Rock" starts things off with a steam rolling rhythm, and the urgent "I Got Questions" continues the pile driving with a rock hard bass and drum unit providing the back-up for some CCR-style lead guitar work. "Voices" is a hidden gem with it's post-Satanic Majesties Request singing and production. Side two's "Head On the Floor" is more flat out rock'n'roll like Erickson's "Don't Slander Me". Other highlights include "Driving the Wrong Car", a motor masterpiece that will sound great while cruising in your beat up, rusted out Chevy.
Much of the material on this record kicks in a straight-ahead guitar driven line, but even when the band writes a "pop" tune, it's twisted and meaty--imagine Iggy Pop singing songs from Kimberly Rew's Bible of Bop. Sound cool? It is.--- PAT THOMAS

FORCED EXPOSURE #12- Summer,1987-
LOTUS STP- MILLION DOLLAR RING-
...the most hands-out rockin' unit from Rochester's new crue. It'd got the same amount of roots tint that X (U.S.) does (meaning not that they sound like X, but that their root/moderne ratio is about on a par). They're just moving along pretty good, thinking that maybe the world's a big garage and that ain't so bad. Their material can be repulsively hooky (as "Union" is), but the solidity of their pound is substantial.---BYRON

RATBEAT INTERNATIONAL #2-
LOTUS STP- MILLION DOLLAR RING-
I could easily imagine MILLION DOLLAR RING was a debut indie release of an honest roots rock band that would later sign to a major label and have ALMOST hits and tour the world. The trouble is LOTUS STP (what a silly name for a good ol' rock'n'roll band) should've released this album in 1983... and now rank with like-minded combos like the Scorchers, Del Fuegos, etc.
LOTUS STP sound like they're already bigger than their album. Meaning that with a better production these songs could've been released on a friendly major label... and "Union" could be a top-50 hit. The band is made up of vocalist Stan Merrell and guitar player Chaz Lockwood, on most tracks the rest of the band is Hugh Edwards (guitar), Ken Frank (bass, keyboards) and Pat Covery (drums).---(M)


7/26/88
LOTUS STP - MILLION DOLLAR RING
Option - Sept 1987

Eight piece garage combo from upstate New York. For several of its members, Lotus STP is just one project among many. Nevertheless, the singer's got some pipes with a David Johansen presence, and the band supports him with a Doors/Pebbles/bleak 80's racket that ain't visionary, but is at least affecting. Garageheads should probably take note. --- JACK THOMPSON

LOTUS STP - MILLION DOLLAR RING
GOLDMINE August 14 1987

This Rochester garage combo won't win points for originality, yet the music is delivered with enough teenage angst to warrant some attention. Actually, Lotus Stp is probably a lot of fun in a club, as they sorta sound like a blend of '60's Rolling Stones and mid-70's Max's Kansas City regulars. Lead vocalist Stan Merrell has a schizoid style in that he either sounds like Jim Morrison or David Johansen impersonating Mick Jagger. This is the kind of platter which will probably improve with age (or when Goldmine is ready to do a retrospective on Lotus STP.) -- CHARLES P. LAMEY