Faster Pussycat debuted their self titled album back in 1987. Sure, I gave Faster Pussycat a listen back then, they were never a #1 favorite of mine, still this band Rocked – and they still Rock to this day. Nonetheless, I still find time to give this band a listen. I recall Faster Pussycat being a cool party band to rock out to, back in the late ’80’s. Faster Pussycat was tied into the Hair Metal genre, right out of L.A., yet I always had the sense that this band was a bit more edgier and heavier to be pigeon holed into that genre. I just stamp the old Heavy Metal label on this band and I am done with it. This group does deliver a whole bunch of Heavy Rock & Roll with their sound, Taime Downe on lead vocals is a sliver reminiscent of Marc Storace of Krokus fame, (in my Metal opinion). Why I say Heavy Rock & Roll when I describe the music of Faster Pussycat is for really one valid reason… the piano that is at times featured in their songs. “Cathouse” is a great example of when you hear the Rock piano getting it’s fair usage. Without ever knowing this band, I can hear influences from the legendary Aerosmith, Taime Downe really does remind me of Steven Tyler on “Slip Of The Tongue”.
“Don’t Change That Song” was and forever will be the catchiest song from Faster Pussycat… for me. The lyrics are borderline humorous and very memorable. “Don’t change that song, it’s my favorite record”… these are simple lyrics that just stick in my head and have me asking… how did these guys come up with this song? “Where There’s A Whip There’s A Way” is a super cool and trademark Hair Metal song, if there ever was one. “You’re So Vain” is the cover song found on this “Greatest Hits”, (written and sung back in the ’70’s by Carly Simon). Let’s see, the controversy starts now… do I like the Faster Pussycat version of “You’re So Vain or the original Carly Simon version? Well, this is one of those circumstances where I pick the cover version over the original… Faster Pussycat wins. Trust me, Faster Pussycat does not cover this song as a ballad, they make it Rock heavy. (It’s my personal Metal preference with liking this cover song over the original).
“Bathroom Wall” is another substantial song to mention here, it just flat out Rocks along without hesitation. This song is what I always like to refer to as – a good time – let’s party, Heavy Metal song. “House Of Pain” is the lone ballad on this “Greatest Hits”. I have never been a fan of Heavy Metal ballads, I have always been rather picky about them. Yeah, I have a handful of my own, personal favorite, Heavy Metal ballads from years, (gulp), decades past. “House Of Pain” is not a song that I will jump up and down about, however, it probably was the biggest hit that Faster Pussycat ever had. (All the Metal power to them). This is a darn cool CD to pick up if you don’t have any Faster Pussycat in your Metal collection, all the hits are covered, ten in all. I bought this CD at Walmart a few months ago, for five bucks. (Not too shabby of a price for the tunes).
The original Faster Pussycat lineup, circa 1987: Taime Downe on lead vocals, Brent Muscat on guitar, Mark Michals on drums, Greg Steel on guitar and Eric Stacy on bass guitar. As a side note, Taime is pronounced – “Tie Me”. Uh, just in case there is anyone out there that did not know this. Faster Pussycat “Greatest Hits” is on the Flashback record label. This label is known for the numerous Greatest Hits CD’s they put out – showcasing Heavy Metal bands from the past.
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