Faster
Pussycat Live @ Rock City, Nottingham (UK) - 28th April 2007
When it was announced that Faster Pussycat were to tour with a new frontman,
there were understandably varied responses. How would it be possible to recreate
the same sound without the unique voice of Taime Downe? There has been a divide,
with many saying it's not FP without him, but equally as many being dedicated
to the Faster Pussycat blend of sleaze tinted rock n' roll and wanting nothing
more than to let the good times roll, again.
As the guys take to the stage, the crowd are in a somewhat bewildered state,
startled with anticipation. And startled they should be.
Taking over from Taime Downe is the elegant snake like rock god Kurt Frolich
who comfortably slithers behind his mike and immediately makes the stage and
the audience his own. It is love at first sight for us and for him, so it seems.
Remarkably the whole band instantly fit together, they are finely tuned and
the sound throughout is tight without a note out of place, it seems as though
this has always been the way. If they were ever worried about what kind of a
reaction to expect then it was without necessity, these guys fit together like
a glove. Pure enjoyment and reminiscing the good old days seems to be the only
true reason for this reunion and watching the glow on Brent Muscat's cheeky
little face proves that money can't possibly be the only benefit here.
With a set list of only the best Pussycat tracks, Kurt is an exceptional frontman
and puts pure love into each and every one. Starting with 'Where There's a Whip
There's a Way', through to 'Bathroom Wall' and 'Don't Change That Song', wondering
how he would approach the vocals without taking off Taime, isn't necessary.
He injects his own sleek tones to each song, you can hear his accent and own
style come through, but what is strange is that when you close your eyes you
could actually picture the original band onstage and not hear a difference.
If you weren't aware of Faster Pussycat before and this was your first time
to hear and see the guys, they would seriously blow you away. That's not to
say that they can't make that kind of impression in the future because if this
performance is to be repeated and a new album of the same quality songs included,
it could see them with a whole new audience and a very dedicated older one!
'House of Pain' is raucously welcomed although the mood suddenly calms and the
band make this sensitive song their own emotional anthem all over again. As
the guys tie the night up they treat us to old favourite 'Babylon', with Brent
and Eric briefly taking over the main vocals like they are front row in the
crowd for their favourite bands encore. Todd Kerns has loved the crowd throughout
the night, with a sultry pose and effortless stance while drummer Brett Bradshaw
takes a modest bow and nod forward.
Kurt finishes with the positive exclamation, 'We are Faster Pussycat!', some faces
may have changed but the music remains exquisitely the same.
by Sharron Grainger
If anybody has any photos
from the Faster Pussycat UK Tour and would like to see them in this column,
drop me a line @ EMAIL