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intothewellsabyss
Jul 7, 20233 min read

Faster Pussycat — Faster Pussycat

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟  𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…


36 years ago today, Faster Pussycat got your number off the “Bathroom Wall”!



On this day (July 7) in 1987, Faster Pussycat released their debut full-length studio album, “Faster Pussycat” via Elektra Records.



The album reached No. 97 on the Billboard 200 chart. Videos were made for several of the songs on the album, including "Don't Change That Song", which was directed by Russ Meyer.



Background:

Faster Pussycat was formed in Hollywood by Taime Downe during the Glam Metal and Glam Punk boom of the 1980s.



The earliest incarnation of the band featured Downe and Greg Steele along with Brent Muscat.



The name of the band is derived from the Russ Meyer film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.



After multiple early personnel changes, Faster Pussycat consisted of Downe (vocals), Steele (guitar), Muscat (guitar), Kelly Nickels (bass) and Mark Michals (drums).


(Faster Pussycat when Kelly Nickels was still in the band)


Just before the band recorded their debut album, Nickels got into a motorcycle accident and broke his leg in seven places. He was replaced by Eric Stacy from Champagne Darling Cool. Shortly thereafter, Nickels joined L.A. GUNS.



Faster Pussycat signed with Electra/WEA Records in December 1986, just ten short months after the band was founded. Despite a low budget and limited studio time, their debut album simply called “Faster Pussycat” saw the light of day in the summer of '87.



Around the time of the album's release, a newfound friend (Ron, who had just relocated to my neighborhood in Flint, Michigan from the town of Grand Rapids) and I were doing a lot tape trading and discovering of new bands together. And, while I was discovering Faster Pussycat through him, the band were establishing a following among Heavy Metal, Glam Rock and Sleaze Rock fans, mainly through two promotional videos from their debut for the songs "Bathroom Wall" and "Don't Change That Song".


("Bathroom Wall" 12" promo)


("Don't Change That Song" single w/"Cathouse" as b-side)


The song "Babylon" featured scratching by one time club DJ Riki Rachtman.


("Babylon" single w/"Smash Alley as b-side)


Riki was Taime Downe's roommate and together they opened the nightclub Cathouse.


(Riki Rachtman & Taime Downe, circa '86)


In November 1987, the band appeared on the cover of Screamer Magazine's debut issue.


(Screamer Magazine debut issue, November '87)


Faster Pussycat Tour '87:

Faster Pussycat toured Europe and the UK with fellow Sunset Strip alumni Guns N' Roses who were touring in support of their "yet to be released" debut album, "Appetite For Destruction".



While on tour in Europe, this combination tour package reached Amsterdam on October 2nd, 1987, which later became known as the notorious Paradiso gig.



Below, you will find photographs taken at this gig.



In the United States, Faster Pussycat toured with Alice Cooper, Motörhead and David Lee Roth.



More Information:

Also in 1987, Faster Pussycat appeared in the rockumentary film The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. The band was interviewed and performed live versions of "Cathouse" and "Bathroom Wall".



Most unlike the rest of their music, Faster Pussycat’s debut album is generally seen as just being a pure Glam Metal album without the Blues or Industrial influences they would later take in.



The album was reissued on CD by UK-based company Rock Candy Records, with expanded liner notes and photos.



Critical Reception:

In 2005, Faster Pussycat was ranked number 498 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.



Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Faster Pussycat” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/faster-pussycat/1092805729


Click this link to listen to “Faster Pussycat” via Spotify: Faster Pussycat https://open.spotify.com/album/4lFOgddadA9jHAO96kVniB


Click this link to watch the official music video for “Bathroom Wall”: https://youtu.be/X8V3N6M0toQ


Click this link to watch the official music video for “Don’t Change That Song”: https://youtu.be/gKIPI47hV6A


Click this link to follow Faster Pussycat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasterpbandofficial



Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells



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