The GutterCats – Whisky Avenue EP
Line up:
Andy Guttercat – Vocals
Natt – Bass
Mitz – Drums
James Guttercat – Guitar
Let's take a moment to ponder on a
question. When was the last time you heard a band and thought to
yourself “Damn, that was a lot of fun”? Music that was written
with a complete lack of social or political statement. Music that was
written by a bunch of guys who are throwing on the guitars, picking
up the sticks, and just planning to have fun. Lyrics that are all
about fun, living it up. Not in a tongue in cheek way, making fun of
their past (Steel Panther), but rather writing their lyrics and
actually meaning to have a blast. The type of thing that is done with
humor, but mainly because the guys are just like that, just having a
blast. No self-mockery of self-loathing. No anger. Just fun. No, not
like that stupid band that has become so popular that calls
themselves “fun,” even though there is nothing fun about their
music, unless you are a masochist. But fun, real fun.
Let me introduce you to The Guttercats.
The Guttercats are actually all about a
tip of the hat to their favorite bands from their past and having a
hell of a good time. If the listener is familiar with The Last of the
Teenage Idols, The Babysitters, or Wrathchild, then the listener will
be able to pick out the influence. In fact, they do this so closely
that one can actually pick the songs apart as almost a song by song
tribute. There are three songs here, and each one pays their tribute.
Do not misunderstand me, these are not
a bunch of rip-off tunes. These are every bit as much a tip of the
hat style as Hanoi Rocks did once upon a time. “Back to Mystery
City” aped The Dead Boys “3rd Generation Nation,” but still
managed to be its own song. They did that with Alice Cooper, The
Dictators, The Ramones, and a slew of others. This is how The
GutterCats do their thing. They pay tribute, but they do it in the
guise of making other bands sound their own. All of the songs do
sound like the same band, they all have their own style, but they
also meld perfectly into what inspired them. They all work on this
EP, but each of the bands mentioned could also take these tunes and
play the songs, and their sounds would work perfectly with the tunes.
We kick off with a very Babysitters
type of tune, “Whisky Avenue.” Straight Bluesy Punk, Rock and
Roll with more attitude and fun than most bands know how to handle.
Cocky, silly, and swaggering all over the dang club. Are the lyrics
great? No, but they work perfect for what they are meant to do. They
are simple enough to get a crowd singing along while raising their
drinks as vocalist Andy pours beer over their heads during the
breakdown, and ends it with spraying beer, or champaign, all over the
place.
“Who's She Killing” may as well be
a long lost LOTTI track with Andy channeling Buttz (LOTTI vocalist)
almost to perfection. He steps into Buttz shoes so closely that I
would almost swear Buttz was in on giving Andy tips. If you are
familiar with LOTTI then you know what this tune sounds like. If you
are unfamiliar, this will be a tough one to describe. Nobody sounds
like LOTTI. They are Rock and Roll, they are Glam, they are Punk,
they are . . . British . . . they are unlike anything that ever
existed, and nothing has been like them since. If this was the only
song The Guttercats ever recorded I would still rate them as a great
band. The fact that somebody else was able to figure out what made
LOTTI the brilliant band they were, and then wrote a song in the
style of LOTTI instantly makes that band a wonder to behold. This is
as much a statement of love for The Guttercats from me, as it is a
statement of love for Last of the Teenage Idols.
Who's following along here? First song
is a Babysitters type of tune. Second song was a LOTTI style tune.
Anybody wish to guess what the last one might possibly be? Yes, “Mile
High” is all Wrathchild. The vocal delivery is close to Rocky
Shades, lyrics are similar sex style lyrics one would expect from
Rocky, and the whole thing just fits that early 80s Wrathchild did.
One thing I do find funny about these
songs also comes down to the comparison to the earlier bands. In all
three of those bands the best vocalist was Buttz during his LOTTI
days. That was when he seemed to have the most control of his voice,
the most confidence, and the best swagger, sneer, and Hell bent
humor. Rocky was always a bit of an acquired taste, and when people
usually have a problem with Wrathchild, it is his voice that throws
them for a loop. Give him a few listens, and one will fall in line
and understand where he is coming from. On these songs, oddly enough,
the best vocals come on the song that is the most LOTTI like. Andy
does himself a heck of a fine job here, a moment to be proud of.
Good Lord people, I have rambled on and
on about a three song fucking EP! Take a hint, get the damn thing.
Solid songwriting, solid guitar playing, solid bass playing, solid
drumming, an all around damn fine release for those of you who like
Glam, Trash, Punk, Rock and Roll, and just a whole shitload of fun.
Drop the band a line, get hold of it, and rock the fuck out of your
neighborhood!
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