At The Paris Theatre

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Can you believe that it’s been 30+ years since FASTER PUSSYCAT released their ‘self-titled’ debut record? The album was loaded with fan favorites like “No Room For Emotion”, “Smash Alley”, “Babylon” and “Cathouse”. There were video ‘hits’ too, like “Don’t Change That Song” and “Bathroom Wall” which were in heavy rotation on MTV and Headbanger’s Ball. And who can forget their appearance in The Decline Of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years? FASTER PUSSYCAT were probably [aside from Lemmy and Alice Cooper of course] the only band that came off as incredibly fucking cool and not cheesy. Fast forward to 2018, while the cast of characters that surround [frontman] Taime Downe have changed, the spirit of the band and the music is still pretty much the same; keep it sleazy and kick maximum ass.

It’s hard to get people out to shows on a Sunday night, it’s even harder after a mid-week holiday [July 4th] but FASTER PUSSYCAT made a stop in The Rose City on July 8th. The start of their set was rough due to the ‘spinal tap-ish’ issue that marred the Paris Theater’s soundman. PUSSYCAT singer Downe made it known to the audience that the smoke from the Northern California/Southern Oregon wildfires had been negatively affected his voice. Downe’s frustration reached the boiling point with the soundman during “Cathouse”. This prompted Downe to bark [on mic] “You’re the worst sound guy, EVER!” There’s no question, the mix was rough at best, however Downe’s verbal ‘thrashing’ seemed to motivate said soundman to dial things up and get it right [or better]; the show went on without further incident.

The PUSSYCAT of the 80s was glam. Into the 90s the band’s look was more of a hybrid of goth and biker culture and these days the band looks more like a cross between pirates and a biker gang. No matter what the look is the music still holds up. FASTER PUSSYCAT had the usual suspects in the set; “Jack The Bastard”, “Cathouse”, “Don’t Change That Song”, the Carly Simon cover which has become a fan favorite, “You’re So Vain”, “Slip Of The Tongue”, “Bathroom Wall” with THE SUPERSUCKERS’ “Pretty Fucked Up” woven into it and “Babylon” with a little bit of “Ace Of Spades” at the tail end. Downe has dropped the drink and smoke and looks in tip top shape. Taime doesn't move around stage much, but is the epitome of cool. And the band? Well, they’re a reflection of their leader, they put on a dirty, gritty, sleazy performance that rattled those in attendance at The Paris Theatre.