Faster Pussycat

Faster Pussycat biography

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.

History

Roots of the band (1986–1987)

Faster Pussycat was formed in Hollywood by Taime Downe during the Glam metal 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).

Rise to fame (1987–1993)

The band released their debut album Faster Pussycat 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 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. 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.

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