Faster Pussycat

Early Years (1985–1987)

Faster Pussycat was formed in Hollywood by Taime Downe during the glam metal and glam punk boom of the 1980s. The earliest incarnation of the band featured Downe and Greg Steele along with Brent Muscat. The name of the band is derived from the Russ Meyer film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.

After multiple early personnel changes, Faster Pussycat consisted of Downe (vocals), Steele (guitar), Muscat (guitar), Kelly Nickels (bass) and Phil Wostrel (drums).

Just before they recorded their debut album, Kelly Nickels got into a motorcycle accident and broke his leg in seven places. Nickels was replaced by Eric Stacy (from Champagne). Shortly thereafter, Nickels joined L.A. Guns.

Rise to fame (1987–1993)

The band signed a record contract with Elektra Records, which released their debut album Faster Pussycat in 1987. The band established a following among heavy metal, glam rock and sleaze rock fans, mainly through two promotional videos from the first album, for the songs "Bathroom Wall" and "Don't Change That Song." In November 1987, the band appeared on the cover of Screamer Magazine's debut issue. In the United States the band toured with Alice Cooper, David Lee Roth, and Motörhead in support of the album.

Also in 1987, Faster Pussycat appeared in the rockumentary film, The Decline of Western Civilization part 2 - The Metal Years. The band was interviewed and performed live versions of "Cathouse" and "Bathroom Wall."

Two years later, Faster Pussycat recorded their most successful album Wake Me When It's Over. The album earned "Gold" status from the RIAA. Sales were mainly driven by the hit single, "House of Pain." Music videos were produced for "House of Pain" and "Poison Ivy." While the band were touring for the album in 1990, drummer Mark Michals was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska and fired from the band, after signing for a package of heroin addressed to Eric Stacy. Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot filled in as their drummer for the remainder of the tour, after which Brett Bradshaw became the long-term drummer. Tours with Kiss and Mötley Crüe followed.

In 1990, they recorded a cover of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" for a compilation called Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary and filmed a video. The song was later included on the 1992 Belted, Buckled And Booted EP.

In 1992 they released their third album, Whipped!, which peaked at number 90 on the charts.

In 1993, Faster Pussycat parted ways with Stacy and hired Aaron Abellira to replace him. They did a mini warmup tour, a U.S tour, and then some shows in Japan. Most of the shows were sold out. They also played one last sold out show in Hollywood at the Hollywood Palace.

Break-up (1993)

A few weeks after returning to the U.S., Faster Pussycat broke up, its members going their separate ways.

Downe was involved with industrial musical act Pigface before forming his own industrial rock act with Kyle Kyle of Bang Tango called The Newlydeads.

Reunion and change of musical style (2001–2005)

In 2001 Faster Pussycat reformed with original members Downe (vocals), Muscat (guitar), and Steele (guitar), alongside Downe's former Newlydeads bandmates Xristian Simon (guitar), Danny Nordahl (bass), and Chad Stewart (drums). Danny Nordahl had also played in The Throbs, and Nordahl and Chad Stewart both also play in Motochrist.

A remix compilation, Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy, was released the same year, featuring industrial rock remixes of their classic tracks, along with a bonus cover of Kiss's "I Was Made For Loving You." This divided fans, as many of the band's older fanbase who enjoyed standard hard rock were not familiar with industrial rock.

Steele left the band halfway through the its 2001 headlining reunion tour. Tracii Guns filled in as guitarist for the rest of the tour, after which Faster Pussycat continued as a five piece. Eric Griffin from Murderdolls, Synical, and (later) Wednesday 13 filled in as guitarist for their United States tour, due to Brent Muscat's scheduling conflicts. Muscat returned briefly, until oral cancer sidelined him in late summer of 2005 and he was temporarily replaced by Michael Thomas, an arrangement which would become permanent when Muscat chose not to return to the lineup.

Name dispute and Brent Muscat's Faster Pussycat line-up (2006–2007)

In December 2006, three former original Faster Pussycat members - Brent Muscat, Eric Stacy and Brett Bradshaw - alongside The Underground Rebels vocalist Kurt Frohlich and Sin City Sinners guitarist Todd Kerns began performing under the name Faster Pussycat, creating two versions of the band, both claiming to be the original. Muscat claimed this was to allow fans to hear Faster Pussycat tracks played the way they were originally recorded, as opposed to the industrial rock version of the band he said Downe continued to front. Muscat also made a legal claim to the name Faster Pussycat.

Brent's Faster Pussycat lineup agreed to play the AVN Awards after-party at The Dive Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a press release, the band—which did not include Downe—would perform "all classic tracks, no remixes, no B.S."

Downe posted a bulletin on MySpace saying Faster Pussycat was not playing in Vegas and Brent's version was a "tribute band." Brent responded that he donated all his money from the gig, and planned to donate a portion of any future earnings, to cancer research. In various interviews, Downe disputed Brent's version of events and indicated the issue was being dealt with via the courts.

In February 2007, Brent issued this statement on his MySpace blog:

"In 2000 Taime made an awful remix cd. It was not until Greg Steele and I threatened him with legal action that we were paid and invited to join our own band. In 2005 I was diagnosed with oral cancer. The band which I had been part of for 20 years all of a sudden replaced me and lied about my condition. I was very hurt that Taime never bothered to call me once. As a result of Taime's drunken and erratic performances, the price for Faster Pussycat live performances plummeted and fans have voiced their displeasure. I decided I would attempt to reunite the band to commemorate our 20th anniversary. I invited both Greg and Taime, (which is more than he did for me) but neither responded."

In March 2007 Brent did an interview with an Italian publication, in which he stated:

"I love Taime but I believe he is caught up in a dark, fake and lonely place, where the people around him kiss his ass and then talk shit behind his back.. They use him for his drugs and ride his coat tails... Hollywood has been dead for a few years now... I'm so glad I got away from there and moved to Las Vegas. What is most sad about this, is the fact that I'm one of Taime's only real friends and he is too messed up to see it."

On April 21, 2007, Muscat circulated via MySpace an open invitation to Downe and Steele to reunite with him, Stacy and Bradshaw. There was no response from Downe. Brent's version of Faster Pussycat toured Europe in Spring 2007 with Kurt Frohlich replacing Downe on vocals along with Todd Kerns on guitar.

In July 2007, Brent Muscat decided to drop the battle to use the name Faster Pussycat. Brent Muscat has since started a band called Sin City Sinners. Brent has stated in an interview, "Faster Pussycat is dead."

Downe continued with the name Faster Pussycat, performing at Rocklahoma in July 2007. During their set, Downe went on a tirade to the crowd, referencing Muscat's cancer, wishing he would die, which received a poor reception from both the crowd and journalists. He then cut their set short and left the stage without playing several of their biggest hits.

Recent times (2008–present)

Faster Pussycat toured the U.S. in the summer of 2008 with Tracii Guns's version of LA Guns.

In the late spring of 2010, Ace Von Johson replaced Michael Thomas, who was devoting his full-time work to Adler's Appetite.

In late 2013, Faster Pussycat's current lineup went on tour, performing mainly in clubs, bars, and university venues. While the band's past problems had shrunk their audiences, the 2013 shows received positive reviews.

Band members

Current members

Taime Downe - lead vocals, guitar, programming, harmonica, tambourine (1985–1993, 2001–present)

Xristian Simon - guitar (2001–present)

Danny Nordahl - bass (2001–present)

Chad Stewart - drums, percussion (2001–present)

Ace Von Johnson- guitar (2010–present)

Former members

Brent Muscat - guitar, acoustic guitar, sitar, percussion, talkbox, backing vocals (1985–1993, 2001–2005)

Greg Steele - guitar, acoustic guitar mandolin, keyboards, piano, backing vocals (1985–1993, 2001)

Mark Michals - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1985–1990)

Walt "Walta" Adams - bass (1985)

Kelly Nickels - bass (1985–1987)

Eric Stacy - bass, frettless bass, backing vocals (1987–1993)

Brett Bradshaw - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1990–1993)

Aaron Abellira - bass (1993)

Michael Thomas - guitar (2005–2010)

Touring members

Frankie Banali - drums, percussion (1990)

Tracii Guns - guitar, backing vocals (2001–2002)

Eric Griffin - guitar (2005)

Live albums

Front Row for the Donkey Show (2009)

EPs

Live and Rare (1990)

Belted, Buckled and Booted (1992)(25,000+ US)

Compilations

Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy (2001)

Greatest Hits: Faster Pussycat (2003)