Bay News, 1/24/2005 Faster Pussycat....Full Throttle Rock n' Roll
Bands Breathe New Life Into Old Licks
by Christy Goodman


"It is about time bands turned up to 11 again.
For Those About to Rock...is the new monthly classic rock party at Pussycat Lounge (96 Greenwich Street).
So it is in Manhattan and it is above a topless bar (which may not actually be a problem for some people 21 and over), but the kick-off party on January 29th represents some of Brooklyn's best real rock n' rollers.
'The next hot thing is neo-classic rock,' said Lee Sobel, producer and promoter from Lo-Fi Entertainment, a Clinton Hill-based operation.
'I think it was a combination of getting into the music, wanting to see a classic rock party, and wanting to go to one,' Sobel said. 'Classic rock is going to be a hot commodity in live music.'
After hearing Jet, Sobel stopped, turned around and realized he should have respected Led Zepplin, AC/DC and the like a lot sooner than now--but at least he is doing something about it.
'Zepplin and late '60's "Exile on Main Street" Stones...typifies what I'm trying to go for,' Sobel said of his monthly show.
But instead of finding a bunch of money-grubbing tribute bands, Sobel has found a bunch of local bands that understand what it means to rock.
Law of Fives, Alabama Blacksnake, Pale Horse, Deke Jenkins, Heather, Black Cat Revolver, and High Speed Chase will deliver a high-energy, hot set that will last about eight hours.
This show is not for the faint of heart. In fact, if you have long hair, some leather, and a thirst that is only quenched by the most alcoholic of blends, but your ticket now.
We are talking real rock n' roll.
'All that stuff today is so over-produced and music has lost all of its organicness,' said Devlin Mayhem, Heather's 34 year-old lead vocalist. 'Like when you can hear people playing their instruments instead of someone pushing a button and cutting in the instruments.'
Andy Martin, Pale Horse's lead singer, agreed.
'When you have one song about being depressed, write the next one about something else,' he said.
Williamsburg's Mayhem added, 'We wanted to write the kind of music we wanted to here and it is basically all live performance. That is the most important thing right now...we just want to have a great show.'
Heather, comprising lead guitarist Skott Baiowolf, rhythm guitarist Aleister Cradley, bassist Sebastian Von Goaten, and drummer Sloth Vader, is barely a year old, but can get a crowd pumped like no other.
The band, who are close friends to Satanicide, the early 80s parody hair band, said they took a chance on this show.
Normally, they put their own shows together, like their February 18 show at Northsix, but this show is 'what we are looking for. Yeah,' Mayhem said.
While Pale Horse cites Motorhead as an influence, they really have taken their artistry to a different level.
Even though Martin, 27, was invited to join the band strictly because guitarist Chris Nagy thought he was loud, he said, 'We do very energetic, high-skill, hard rock music.'
Obviously it is good, because when Pale Horse practiced in bassist Barry Mack's Metropolitan Ave. apartment, none of the neighbors called the cops.
Could be the residents were mystified by Paul Scheps' use of the chronometer.
Martin promised Pale Horse would be loud, play everything at breakneck speed and to have an edge.
'It is also very fun to play a strip club,' said Martin, who was upset the ladies would be downstairs. 'Unfortunately. We are trying to get the perfect show together.'
This other band was slated for the lineup, but their drummer moved and they had to pull out. Sobel, being a good sport went to see them play.
He was really psyched when he walked into hte barr--so much so he spent their entire set dancing in front of the stage.
When the band finished, Sobel, who doubles now as a low-budget filmmaker, introduced himself and realized he had mistaken the band he was trying to book with Deke Jenkins.
'I was like, "These guys are great!" Very authentic,' said Sobel, who boasts being on top of the swing-tip before everyone else. 'They really embody it.'
That is the point of hte monthly celebration. Real music with real talent and creativity.
The next two months, including the March 5th show, are already booked, and Sobel has bands flocking to be a part of the show.
Sobel also features an all-girls rock show, heavy metal festival, garage rock festival, and goth rock festival each month at the Pussycat Lounge.
Law of Fives begin at 8pm, followed by Alabama Blacksnake, Pale Horse, Deke Jenkins, Heather, Black Cat Revolver, and High Speed Chase each hour after.
DJs Ale Hoarse and Gibby Chase will spin the classics on Saturday, January 29th at The Pussyct Lounge, located at 96 Greenwich Street and Rector Street.
You must be 21 to enter. Tickets are $10.
For more information, call (212) 349-4800 or go online to www.lofientertainment.com/parties.