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Faster
Pussycat: The Metal Years
Faster Pussycat began in 1986 as the brainchild of singer Taime Downe.
The band was made to capitalize on the growing Glam Metal movement, which
was at its peak. Faster Pussycat mixed Glam Metal with more classic bands
like Aerosmith to make a Hard Rock sound that was unique compared to other
bands of the era. Faster Pussycat would gain attention not only from their
many tours and albums but also from a documentary film and a bar the band
owned in Los Angeles.
Faster Pussycat: Cat Out of
the Bag
Album Faster Pussycat was released in 1987. Plying their trade on the
famed L.A. Strip that was the breeding ground for successful bands in
the 1980s Metal scene, Faster Pussycat bounced from club to club. Faster
Pussycat’s energetic live act and sleazy vocals quickly drew a strong
following. Faster Pussycat made their single “Cathouse” a
reality, when Taime Downe opened the Los Angeles Cathouse club, which
the band often played. With a home base to work from, Faster Pussycat
released single “Bathroom Wall”, which set the standard for
comic songs the band would become known for.
With growing momentum and a
hot streak on the L.A. Strip, single “Don’t Change That Song”
became a popular track. Fan favorite “Babylon” was another
comedic song that quickly became a fan favorite. Faster Pussycat’s
reputation landed them on tours with legends Alice Cooper and Motorhead,
giving Faster Pussycat a new fan base. With their name out there and a
booming club scene, Faster Pussycat was ready to break out.
Faster Pussycat: Late ‘80s
Faster Pussycat struck gold when they were featured in the rockumentary
Decline of the Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years. With in-depth
interviews, two live songs played, and the Cathouse Club featured prominently,
Faster Pussycat was one of the stars and many benefactors of the documentary.
With growing popularity, Faster Pussycat released album Wake Me When It’s
Over in 1989.
Wake Me When It’s Over
focused more on a Blues feel than the previous Glam sound of Faster Pussycat.
The band did keep the sleaze and decadence coming, even with the change
in sound. Singles “Poison Ivy” and “House of Pain”
became huge hits for Faster Pussycat. Faster Pussycat videos became staples
on MTV and were a key in showing off the band to new audiences. Tours
were next on the agenda and paired Faster Pussycat with the likes of KISS
and Motley Crue. The singles, videos, and tours translated into Wake Me
When It’s Over going gold.
Faster Pussycat: Whipped &
Grunge
Faster Pussycat departed from their established sound further when they
released dark album Whipped! in 1992. Whipped! used themes and sounds
reminiscent of the Industrial movement that had bloomed from the Chicago
area. The sound led to hit “Nonstop to Nowhere”, which charted
high. Faster Pussycat would break up but gave Taime Downe a chance to
immerse himself in the Industrial scene he had come to love, joining the
Industrial All-Star band Pigface and creating his own band the Newlydeads.
Faster Pussycat: Return &
Future
In 2001, Faster Pussycat returned with much of the original lineup. Taime
Downe brought his Industrial experience to the band, and Faster Pussycat
released Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy which was an Industrial
remix of their earlier work. Album The Power and the Glory Hole was released
in 2006. The album was all original material and was an Industrial Rock
album. After numerous tours with the likes of LA Guns and Cinderella,
Faster Pussycat will touring the world in 2008-2009.
Faster Pussycat: Greatest Hits
* “Cathouse” from
the Faster Pussycat album
* ”Bathroom Wall” from the Faster Pussycat album
* “Don’t Change That Song” from the Faster Pussycat
album
* “Babylon” from the Faster Pussycat album
* “House of Pain” from the Wake Me When It’s Over album
* “Poison Ivy” from the Wake Me When It’s Over album
* “Nonstop To Nowhere” from the Whipped! album
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