Faster Pussycat
Encyclopedia
Faster Pussycat is an American
hard rock
band from Los Angeles, California
formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album
, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over
and the 80,000 selling Whipped!
in 1992.
boom of the 1980s, the earliest incarnation of the band featured Downe and Greg Steele along with Brent Muscat
. The name of the band, "Faster Pussycat," is derived from the Russ Meyer
film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
.
After several more member changes, Faster Pussycat soon morphed into the band's most well known line-up, consisting of Taime Downe
(vocals), Greg Steele (guitar), Brent Muscat
(guitar), Kelly Nickels
(bass) and Mark Michals (drums).
Before recording their debut album, Nickels left the group and was replaced by Eric Stacy
(ex-Champagne).
in 1987. The band managed to build a cult following and put out two promotional videos from the first album for the songs "Bathroom Wall
" and "Don't Change That Song". In November of 1987 the band appeared on the cover of Screamer Magazine
's debut issue. Says David Castagno, the magazine's Publisher/Editor and now host of RadioScreamer, "Faster Pussycat will always hold a special place in my heart." In the United States
the band toured with Alice Cooper
, David Lee Roth
, and Motörhead in support of the album. They also headlined the "Itch You Can't Scratch Tour", with opening act Reiss & Hard Liquor, with famed front man, singer Troy Reissmann.
Also in 1987, Faster Pussycat appeared in the Rockumentary
film, The Decline of Western Civilization part 2 - The Metal Years
. The band was interviewed at some length and performed live versions of "Cathouse" and "Bathroom Wall".
Two years later, Faster Pussycat would record their most successful album Wake Me When It's Over
. The album received gold status; its sales being largely boosted by the hit single, "House of Pain". Music videos were also produced for "House of Pain" and "Poison Ivy". While the band were touring for the album in 1990, drummer Mark Michals was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska
for trying to mail heroin to his hotel room and was subsequently kicked out of the band. Frankie Banali
of Quiet Riot
filled in as drummer for the remainder of the tour, then Brett Bradshaw
became Faster Pussycat's new long-term drummer. Tours with KISS
and Mötley Crüe
followed.
In 1990, they recorded a cover of Carly Simon
's "You're So Vain
" for a compilation called Rubáiyát
: Elektra's 40th Anniversary. A video was also filmed for this track. It featured Taime for the first time with dark hair. The song was also later included on the 1992 Belted, Buckled And Booted
EP, which served as the single for "Nonstop To Nowhere" and also included two unreleased tracks.
In 1992 they released their third album, Whipped!
, which peaked at #90 on the charts.
Taime Downe
was involved with industrial musical act Pigface
before expanding on the darker themes started on Whipped!
, by forming his own industrial rock
act with Kyle Kyle of Bang Tango
called The Newlydeads
.
(vocals), Brent Muscat
(guitar), Greg Steele (guitar); alongside Taime's former Newlydeads bandmates Xristian Simon (guitar), Danny Nordahl
(bass), and Chad Stewart
(drums). Danny Nordahl had also played in The Throbs
, and Nordahl and Chad Stewart both also play in Motochrist.
A remix compilation Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy
was released the same year by the band, featuring industrial rock
remixes of their classic tracks, along with a bonus cover of KISS
' "I Was Made For Loving You". This divided fans as many of the band's older fanbase who enjoyed standard hard rock
, were not familiar with industrial rock
.
Steele would leave the band half-way through the band's 2001 headlining reunion tour. Tracii Guns
filled in as guitarist for the rest of the tour, but once the remaining dates were completed, Faster Pussycat continued as a five piece. Eric Griffin
from Murderdolls
, Synical, and eventually Wednesday 13, filled in as the guitarist for their United States
tour due to Brent Muscat's scheduling conflicts. Muscat would return briefly until oral cancer sidelined him in late summer of 2005 and he was temporarily replaced by Michael Thomas which would end permanently when he chose not to return back to the lineup.
They played the AVN Awards after-party at the Dive Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a press release, this version of the band — which did not include vocalist Taime Downe — will perform "all classic tracks, no remixes, no B.S."
Taime sent out a bulletin on MySpace saying Faster Pussycat was not playing in Vegas and Brent's version was a 'tribute band'. Brent responded by stating that he donated all his money and planned to donate a portion of any future earnings to cancer research. In various interviews Taime disputed Brent's version of events and indicated the issue was being dealt with via the courts.
In February 2007, Brent issued these statements on his MySpace blog:
In March 2007 Brent did an interview with an Italian publication which he stated:
On April 21, 2007, Muscat circulated via MySpace an open invitation to Taime Downe and Greg Steele to reunite with him, Stacy and Bradshaw. There was no response from Taime. Brent's version of Faster Pussycat toured Europe in Spring 2007 with Kurt Frohlich replacing Taime on vocals along with Todd Kerns on guitar.
In July 2007, Brent Muscat decided to drop the battle to use the name Faster Pussycat. Brent Muscat has since started a band called Sin City Sinners
. Brent has stated in an interview "Faster Pussycat is dead".
Taime has continued on with the name 'Faster Pussycat.' and this band performed at Rocklahoma July 2007. During their set, Taime Downe went on a tirade to the crowd referencing Brent Muscat's cancer, wishing he would die, which received a poor reception from both the crowd and journalists. He then cut their set short and left the stage without playing several of their biggest hits.
In the late spring of 2010 Ace Von Johson would replace Michael Thomas who was devoting his full time work to Adler's Appetite.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album
Faster Pussycat (album)
Faster Pussycat is the first album by the band of the same name. The album reached #97 on the Billboard 200 chart. Videos were made for several of the songs on the album, including Don't Change That Song, which had a video directed by Russ Meyer....
, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over
Wake Me When It's Over
Wake Me When It's Over is Faster Pussycat's second album, moving from the hair metal sound of their first album to a blues-influenced sound....
and the 80,000 selling Whipped!
Whipped!
Whipped! is Faster Pussycat's third album."Nonstop to Nowhere", for which there is a video, was released as a single and reached #35 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock track chart.-Track listing:# "Nonstop to Nowhere"# "The Body Thief"...
in 1992.
The roots of Faster Pussycat (1986–1987)
Faster Pussycat was formed in Hollywood by Taime Downe during the Glam metalGlam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
boom of the 1980s, the earliest incarnation of the band featured Downe and Greg Steele along with Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat is a guitarist who has played in various bands, including Faster Pussycat, Sin City Sinners, Donner Party, L.A. Guns, the Liberators, Bubble, Superficial/Sinthetics, Adler's Appetite, Sin City All Stars, and The Underground Rebels. With L.A...
. The name of the band, "Faster Pussycat," is derived from the Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer
Russell Albion "Russ" Meyer was a U.S. motion picture director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, actor and photographer....
film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a 1965 exploitation film directed by Russ Meyer, who also wrote the script with Jack Moran. It stars Tura Satana, Haji, and Lori Williams....
.
After several more member changes, Faster Pussycat soon morphed into the band's most well known line-up, consisting of Taime Downe
Taime Downe
Taime Downe is an American musician who first became notable as the lead singer of 1980s sleaze rock band Faster Pussycat.-Biography:Downe grew up in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of four children. He became interested in music at a very early age, and in high school he formed a band named The...
(vocals), Greg Steele (guitar), Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat is a guitarist who has played in various bands, including Faster Pussycat, Sin City Sinners, Donner Party, L.A. Guns, the Liberators, Bubble, Superficial/Sinthetics, Adler's Appetite, Sin City All Stars, and The Underground Rebels. With L.A...
(guitar), Kelly Nickels
Kelly Nickels
Kelly Nickels is a bassist who has played in various bands including Sweet Pain, Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns.He was replaced in Sweet Pain by Victor Prestin. He was badly injured in a motorcycle accident in October 1986, when he was still with Faster Pussycat...
(bass) and Mark Michals (drums).
Before recording their debut album, Nickels left the group and was replaced by Eric Stacy
Eric Stacy
Eric Stacy is a bassist who has played in various bands, including Champagne, Faster Pussycat, Bubble, the Liberators, and Supercool....
(ex-Champagne).
Rise to fame (1987–1993)
The band released their debut album Faster PussycatFaster Pussycat (album)
Faster Pussycat is the first album by the band of the same name. The album reached #97 on the Billboard 200 chart. Videos were made for several of the songs on the album, including Don't Change That Song, which had a video directed by Russ Meyer....
in 1987. The band managed to build a cult following and put out two promotional videos from the first album for the songs "Bathroom Wall
Bathroom Wall
"Bathroom Wall" is a song taken from Faster Pussycat's first album Faster Pussycat released in 1987. Like much of the band's material from the album, it has a comedy side and deals with graffiti left on a bathroom stall wall that Taime Downe saw backstage at a gig the band were playing prior to...
" and "Don't Change That Song". In November of 1987 the band appeared on the cover of Screamer Magazine
Screamer magazine
Screamer Magazine, "The Loudest Mag On The Planet," was created by David F. Castagno in October 1987. The publication started out as a vehicle in which to promote local rock bands in the Los Angeles area. The magazine's popularity spread quickly and almost immediately garnered the attention of many...
's debut issue. Says David Castagno, the magazine's Publisher/Editor and now host of RadioScreamer, "Faster Pussycat will always hold a special place in my heart." In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the band toured with Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
, and Motörhead in support of the album. They also headlined the "Itch You Can't Scratch Tour", with opening act Reiss & Hard Liquor, with famed front man, singer Troy Reissmann.
Also in 1987, Faster Pussycat appeared in the Rockumentary
Rockumentary
The term rockumentary is a neologism denoting a documentary about rock music or its musicians. The term was used by Bill Drake in the 1969 History of Rock & Roll radio broadcast, and by Rob Reiner in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap....
film, The Decline of Western Civilization part 2 - The Metal Years
The Decline of Western Civilization II
The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years is a documentary film directed by Penelope Spheeris about the Los Angeles heavy metal scene from 1986 to 1988. It is the second film of a trilogy by Spheeris depicting life in Los Angeles at various points in time. The first film The...
. The band was interviewed at some length and performed live versions of "Cathouse" and "Bathroom Wall".
Two years later, Faster Pussycat would record their most successful album Wake Me When It's Over
Wake Me When It's Over
Wake Me When It's Over is Faster Pussycat's second album, moving from the hair metal sound of their first album to a blues-influenced sound....
. The album received gold status; its sales being largely boosted by the hit single, "House of Pain". Music videos were also produced for "House of Pain" and "Poison Ivy". While the band were touring for the album in 1990, drummer Mark Michals was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
for trying to mail heroin to his hotel room and was subsequently kicked out of the band. Frankie Banali
Frankie Banali
Frankie Banali is an American rock drummer, best known for his work with multi-platinum heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He has been the band's manager during since 1994. He played drums in the heavy metal band W.A.S.P., as well as with Billy Idol...
of Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
filled in as drummer for the remainder of the tour, then Brett Bradshaw
Brett Bradshaw
Brett Bradshaw is a drummer who played with the bands Faster Pussycat and Blackboard Jungle.He briefly played in a second version of Faster Pussycat, along with longtime members Brent Muscat and Eric Stacy and two new members: Kurt Frohlich on lead vocals and Todd Kerns on rhythm guitar.-...
became Faster Pussycat's new long-term drummer. Tours with KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
followed.
In 1990, they recorded a cover of Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
's "You're So Vain
You're So Vain
"You're So Vain" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon and released in December 1972. The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover; Simon asserts "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." The subject's identity has been the matter of speculation, fueled by...
" for a compilation called Rubáiyát
Rubáiyát
Rubáiyát is a compilation album, released in 1990 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Elektra Records record label. The concept was to feature present-day Elektra artists covering songs from the historic catalogue of recordings of Elektra Records and its sister label Asylum Records.Two...
: Elektra's 40th Anniversary. A video was also filmed for this track. It featured Taime for the first time with dark hair. The song was also later included on the 1992 Belted, Buckled And Booted
Belted, Buckled And Booted
Belted, Buckled And Booted is a Faster Pussycat EP.-Track listing:#Nonstop To Nowhere#Too Tight#Charge Me Up#You're So Vain Track 1 from the Whipped! album. Tracks 2 and 3 are unreleased tracks from the Whipped! sessions...
EP, which served as the single for "Nonstop To Nowhere" and also included two unreleased tracks.
In 1992 they released their third album, Whipped!
Whipped!
Whipped! is Faster Pussycat's third album."Nonstop to Nowhere", for which there is a video, was released as a single and reached #35 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock track chart.-Track listing:# "Nonstop to Nowhere"# "The Body Thief"...
, which peaked at #90 on the charts.
Break-up (1993)
In 1993, Faster Pussycat broke up, and all members went their separate ways into various projects.Taime Downe
Taime Downe
Taime Downe is an American musician who first became notable as the lead singer of 1980s sleaze rock band Faster Pussycat.-Biography:Downe grew up in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of four children. He became interested in music at a very early age, and in high school he formed a band named The...
was involved with industrial musical act Pigface
Pigface
Pigface is an industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.-History:Pigface was formed from Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour, which produced the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up live album and video. For the tour, Al Jourgensen brought...
before expanding on the darker themes started on Whipped!
Whipped!
Whipped! is Faster Pussycat's third album."Nonstop to Nowhere", for which there is a video, was released as a single and reached #35 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock track chart.-Track listing:# "Nonstop to Nowhere"# "The Body Thief"...
, by forming his own industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
act with Kyle Kyle of Bang Tango
Bang Tango
Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.-Biography:The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group being frontman Joe Lesté...
called The Newlydeads
The Newlydeads
The Newlydeads were an industrial rock band founded by Faster Pussycat singer Taime Downe.At one time or another, The Newlydeads also featured Taime Downe's current Faster Pussycat bandmates: guitarist Xristian Simon, bassist Danny Nordahl, and drummer Chad Stewart...
.
Reunion and change of musical style (2001–2005)
In 2001 Faster Pussycat reformed featuring original members Taime DowneTaime Downe
Taime Downe is an American musician who first became notable as the lead singer of 1980s sleaze rock band Faster Pussycat.-Biography:Downe grew up in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of four children. He became interested in music at a very early age, and in high school he formed a band named The...
(vocals), Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat is a guitarist who has played in various bands, including Faster Pussycat, Sin City Sinners, Donner Party, L.A. Guns, the Liberators, Bubble, Superficial/Sinthetics, Adler's Appetite, Sin City All Stars, and The Underground Rebels. With L.A...
(guitar), Greg Steele (guitar); alongside Taime's former Newlydeads bandmates Xristian Simon (guitar), Danny Nordahl
Danny Nordahl
Danny Nordahl is a bass guitarist who is currently playing in the band Faster Pussycat.He previously played in the bands The Throbs, N.Y. Loose, The Newlydeads, Motochrist, and Tracii Guns's version of L.A. Guns...
(bass), and Chad Stewart
Chad Stewart
Chad Stewart is a drummer who is currently playing for the band Faster Pussycat.He has previously played for the bands The Newlydeads, Motochrist, Tracii Guns's version of L.A. Guns, and the Guns'N'Roses tribute band Hollywood Roses....
(drums). Danny Nordahl had also played in The Throbs
The Throbs
Not to be confused with the Canadian band or the British band of the same name.The Throbs were a sleaze rock band from New York City formed in 1988. They featured singer Ronnie Sweetheart, bassist Danny Nordahl, drummer Ronnie Magri and guitarist Roger Ericson...
, and Nordahl and Chad Stewart both also play in Motochrist.
A remix compilation Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy
Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy
Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy is an album of industrial remixes of Faster Pussycat songs from the late 1980s and early 1990s, released after they reunited for a tour in 2001...
was released the same year by the band, featuring industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
remixes of their classic tracks, along with a bonus cover of KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
' "I Was Made For Loving You". This divided fans as many of the band's older fanbase who enjoyed standard hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, were not familiar with industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
.
Steele would leave the band half-way through the band's 2001 headlining reunion tour. Tracii Guns
Tracii Guns
Tracii Guns is an American guitarist best known as the founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns as well as the supergroups Brides of Destruction and Contraband. He was also involved in the formation of the first lineup of Guns N' Roses but eventually left the group and was replaced by guitarist...
filled in as guitarist for the rest of the tour, but once the remaining dates were completed, Faster Pussycat continued as a five piece. Eric Griffin
Eric Griffin
Eric Michael Griffin is an American rock guitarist. He is most famous for playing bass in the horror punk band Murderdolls and guitar in Wednesday 13...
from Murderdolls
Murderdolls
Murderdolls is an American horror punk supergroup, founded during 2002 in Hollywood, California. The band line-up consists of core members Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison. Former members include Ben Graves, Acey Slade, Eric Griffin & Tripp Eisen....
, Synical, and eventually Wednesday 13, filled in as the guitarist for their United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tour due to Brent Muscat's scheduling conflicts. Muscat would return briefly until oral cancer sidelined him in late summer of 2005 and he was temporarily replaced by Michael Thomas which would end permanently when he chose not to return back to the lineup.
Name dispute and Brent Muscat's Faster Pussycat line-up (2006–2007)
In December 2006, three former original Faster Pussycat members; Brent Muscat, Eric Stacy and Brett Bradshaw alongside The Underground Rebels vocalist Kurt Frohlich began performing under the name Faster Pussycat, creating two versions of the band both claiming to be the 'original'. Brent's claimed purpose for this was to allow fans to hear Faster Pussycat tracks played in the way they originally recorded, as opposed to the Industrial rock-themed version he said Downe continued to front. Brent also made a legal claim to the name 'Faster Pussycat'.They played the AVN Awards after-party at the Dive Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a press release, this version of the band — which did not include vocalist Taime Downe — will perform "all classic tracks, no remixes, no B.S."
Taime sent out a bulletin on MySpace saying Faster Pussycat was not playing in Vegas and Brent's version was a 'tribute band'. Brent responded by stating that he donated all his money and planned to donate a portion of any future earnings to cancer research. In various interviews Taime disputed Brent's version of events and indicated the issue was being dealt with via the courts.
In February 2007, Brent issued these statements on his MySpace blog:
- "In 2000 Taime made an awful remix cd. It was not until Greg Steele and I threatened him with legal action that we were paid and invited to join our own band. In 2005 I was diagnosed with oral cancer. The band which I had been part of for 20 years all of a sudden replaced me and lied about my condition. I was very hurt that Taime never bothered to call me once. As a result of Taime's drunken and erratic performances, the price for Faster Pussycat live performances plummeted and fans have voiced their displeasure. I decided I would attempt to reunite the band to commemorate our 20th anniversary. I invited both Greg and Taime, (which is more than he did for me) but neither responded."
In March 2007 Brent did an interview with an Italian publication which he stated:
- "I love Taime but I believe he is caught up in a dark, fake and lonely place, where the people around him kiss his ass and then talk shit behind his back..They use him for his drugs and ride his coat tails...Hollywood has been dead for a few years now... I'm so glad I got away from there and moved to Las Vegas. What is most sad about this, is the fact that I'm one of Taime's only real friends and he is too messed up to see it."
On April 21, 2007, Muscat circulated via MySpace an open invitation to Taime Downe and Greg Steele to reunite with him, Stacy and Bradshaw. There was no response from Taime. Brent's version of Faster Pussycat toured Europe in Spring 2007 with Kurt Frohlich replacing Taime on vocals along with Todd Kerns on guitar.
In July 2007, Brent Muscat decided to drop the battle to use the name Faster Pussycat. Brent Muscat has since started a band called Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners is a group of prominent musicians who perform self-penned originals and rock and roll covers at key venues throughout Las Vegas, Nevada...
. Brent has stated in an interview "Faster Pussycat is dead".
Taime has continued on with the name 'Faster Pussycat.' and this band performed at Rocklahoma July 2007. During their set, Taime Downe went on a tirade to the crowd referencing Brent Muscat's cancer, wishing he would die, which received a poor reception from both the crowd and journalists. He then cut their set short and left the stage without playing several of their biggest hits.
Future (2008–present)
Faster Pussycat toured the U.S. for the Summer of 2008 with Tracii Guns' version of LA Guns.In the late spring of 2010 Ace Von Johson would replace Michael Thomas who was devoting his full time work to Adler's Appetite.
Current members
- Taime DowneTaime DowneTaime Downe is an American musician who first became notable as the lead singer of 1980s sleaze rock band Faster Pussycat.-Biography:Downe grew up in Seattle, Washington, the oldest of four children. He became interested in music at a very early age, and in high school he formed a band named The...
- lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1986–1993, 2001–present) - Xristian Simon - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2001–present) - Ace Von Johnson- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(2010–present) - Danny NordahlDanny NordahlDanny Nordahl is a bass guitarist who is currently playing in the band Faster Pussycat.He previously played in the bands The Throbs, N.Y. Loose, The Newlydeads, Motochrist, and Tracii Guns's version of L.A. Guns...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2001–present) - Chad StewartChad StewartChad Stewart is a drummer who is currently playing for the band Faster Pussycat.He has previously played for the bands The Newlydeads, Motochrist, Tracii Guns's version of L.A. Guns, and the Guns'N'Roses tribute band Hollywood Roses....
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion (2001–present)
Former members
- Greg Steele - guitar, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, backing vocals (1986–1993, 2001) - Brent MuscatBrent MuscatBrent Muscat is a guitarist who has played in various bands, including Faster Pussycat, Sin City Sinners, Donner Party, L.A. Guns, the Liberators, Bubble, Superficial/Sinthetics, Adler's Appetite, Sin City All Stars, and The Underground Rebels. With L.A...
- guitar, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
(1986–1993, 2001–2005) - Eric StacyEric StacyEric Stacy is a bassist who has played in various bands, including Champagne, Faster Pussycat, Bubble, the Liberators, and Supercool....
- bass (1987–1993) - Kelly NickelsKelly NickelsKelly Nickels is a bassist who has played in various bands including Sweet Pain, Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns.He was replaced in Sweet Pain by Victor Prestin. He was badly injured in a motorcycle accident in October 1986, when he was still with Faster Pussycat...
- bass (1986–1987) - Brett BradshawBrett BradshawBrett Bradshaw is a drummer who played with the bands Faster Pussycat and Blackboard Jungle.He briefly played in a second version of Faster Pussycat, along with longtime members Brent Muscat and Eric Stacy and two new members: Kurt Frohlich on lead vocals and Todd Kerns on rhythm guitar.-...
- drums, percussion (1990–1993) - Mark Michals - drums, percussion (1986–1990)
- Michael Thomas - guitar (2005–2010)
Touring members
- Tracii GunsTracii GunsTracii Guns is an American guitarist best known as the founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns as well as the supergroups Brides of Destruction and Contraband. He was also involved in the formation of the first lineup of Guns N' Roses but eventually left the group and was replaced by guitarist...
- guitar, backing vocals (2001–2002) - Eric GriffinEric GriffinEric Michael Griffin is an American rock guitarist. He is most famous for playing bass in the horror punk band Murderdolls and guitar in Wednesday 13...
- guitar (2005) - Frankie BanaliFrankie BanaliFrankie Banali is an American rock drummer, best known for his work with multi-platinum heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He has been the band's manager during since 1994. He played drums in the heavy metal band W.A.S.P., as well as with Billy Idol...
- drums, percussion (1990)
Studio albums
| Year | Album | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
JP Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Faster Pussycat Faster Pussycat (album) Faster Pussycat is the first album by the band of the same name. The album reached #97 on the Billboard 200 chart. Videos were made for several of the songs on the album, including Don't Change That Song, which had a video directed by Russ Meyer.... |
97 | - | - | - | Elektra |
| 1989 | Wake Me When It's Over Wake Me When It's Over Wake Me When It's Over is Faster Pussycat's second album, moving from the hair metal sound of their first album to a blues-influenced sound.... |
48 | - | 35 | Gold (US) | Elektra |
| 1992 | Whipped! Whipped! Whipped! is Faster Pussycat's third album."Nonstop to Nowhere", for which there is a video, was released as a single and reached #35 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock track chart.-Track listing:# "Nonstop to Nowhere"# "The Body Thief"... |
90 | 43 | 58 | 80,000+ US | Elektra |
| 2006 | The Power and the Glory Hole The Power And The Glory Hole The Power and the Glory Hole is an album by Faster Pussycat released on July 13, 2006, by Full Effect Records. The songs mix industrial rock with the band's traditional sound... |
- | - | - | - | Full Effect |
EPs
- Live and RareLive And Rare (Faster Pussycat EP)Live and Rare is a Faster Pussycat EP. All tracks on the album appeared on the band's first 2 albums, but are featured here in alternate remixed, edited, or live versions.-Track list:# "Bathroom Wall" # "Poison Ivy"...
(1990) - Belted, Buckled and BootedBelted, Buckled And BootedBelted, Buckled And Booted is a Faster Pussycat EP.-Track listing:#Nonstop To Nowhere#Too Tight#Charge Me Up#You're So Vain Track 1 from the Whipped! album. Tracks 2 and 3 are unreleased tracks from the Whipped! sessions...
(1992)(25,000+ US)
Compilations
- Between the Valley of the Ultra PussyBetween the Valley of the Ultra PussyBetween the Valley of the Ultra Pussy is an album of industrial remixes of Faster Pussycat songs from the late 1980s and early 1990s, released after they reunited for a tour in 2001...
(2001) - Greatest Hits: Faster Pussycat (2003)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Main Rock | ||
| 1987 | "Cathouse" | - | - |
| "Don't Change That Song" | - | - | |
| "Bathroom Wall" | - | - | |
| 1989 | "Poison Ivy" | - | - |
| 1990 | "You're So Vain" | - | - |
| "House of Pain" | 28 | 23 | |
| 1992 | "Nonstop to Nowhere" | - | 35 |
| 2006 | "Number One With A Bullet" | - | - |
External links
- Faster Pussycat official website
- Faster Pussycat page on MySpace
- Interview With Brent Muscat on SleazeRoxx
- Interview with Brent on Blogs N' Roses
- Interview with Faster Pussycat on Trilogy Rock (Spain)
- http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history