CD Review: The Green Lady Killers: Just Fine

                      Green Lady Killers live at L.A.'s Redwood Bar

The Green Lady Killers, an all female trio from L.A, channel the Cramps, Joan Jett and the Breeders and wrap it their own special brand of black leather swagger.  The band, originally formed in Phoenix, AZ, consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Lady Van Buren, drummer Cherrybomb and bassist/vocalist Ivy Rose.  Their first full-length album, Just Fine, is now available from Rusty Knuckles Music as a CD or iTunes download.

The 12 tunes on Just Fine blast AC/DC style rock with a hint of psychobilly; fast and furious but with a sexy side. “Power” brings to mind the metal thrash of Betty Blowtorch, while the single “My .45” has a ferocity that could put many supposedly tough male bands to shame. “Another Place in Time” relates the lust and longing of a young rock femme fatale, as does the thrashy “Time Bomb.”  “Dance Floor” boasts a steady groove that proves you can shake your booty and then some to hard-edged music. Singer Lady Van Buren sounds  like Tanya Donnelly when she mellows a bit, like on the intro to “Linger On.” She can sing ballsy rock, but can also deliver melodic, heartfelt vocals when the lyric calls for it.


 The Green Lady Killers play club gigs throughout the  West Coast and Southwest Their résumé includes performances on the Shiragirl Stage at the Vans Warped Tour in 2005 and gigs with bands as diverse as Missing Persons and the Nekromantix. GLK snagged the Best Power Trio title at the 2010 L.A. Music Awards, and they showcased at SXSW with other Rusty Knuckles bands this year.

Green Lady Killers Facebook Page

CD Review: Dirty Eyes: Deadbeat Blues

Dirty Eyes are among the handful of punk, glam-rock and garage rock bands bringing adrenaline-pumping sounds back to L.A. music clubs. Dirty Eyes have covered a lot of ground since forming in L.A. in 2006.  They’ve played shows with dozens of national acts and local movers and shakers including the Joneses, Zeroes, Nikki Corvette, Billy Bones and the Crazy Squeeze. They've played a live set at KXLU and  joined last month’s tribute to Johnny Thunders at the Redwood Bar. Their music is a combination of the Dead Boys, the Ramones and Chuck Berry with a bit of  blues-rock thrown in for good measure.  It’s rock and roll with no frills, tricks or whining. The band consists of Donny Rox on vocals and guitars, Anthony Stasi on lead guitar, John on vocals and drums and Jareth on bass and vocals.

The band’s first full-length CD, Deadbeat Blues, is now available for download from iTunes, TuneCore and Amazon. And, of course, you can still purchase the old-fashioned physical CD from the band at one of their gigs. Patrick "Frenchie" French of the Joneses plays harmonica on the album and the rollicking piano is courtesy of Alex Galvan. Deadbeat Blues was produced by Arthur Alexander of  powerpop band Sorrows, who will play gigs in LA, New York and Europe later this year.

The CD’s title song, Deadbeat Blues chugs along with the rhythm section leading the way – there’s some great drumming on this one. The tune is like an indefatigable locomotive ride complete with tasty guitar solo. Takin’ A Dive is short and to the point rock, with snarly, attitude-laden vocals. Honky-tonk piano punctuates the similarly pithy Self-Destructive Man.  Ain’t Nothin' To Do channels the Dead Boys, while Yellow Fever combines  blues, Jerry Lee Lewis and ‘70s era Aerosmith hard rock. Skin of Yer Teeth combines all the band’s influences in one rapid-fire package that would satisfy any audience that likes sleazy, hard-edged rock ‘n’ roll. 

Deadbeat Blues combines hardcore punk and hard rock, but the vocals are punk all the way. Dirty Eyes’ music will appeal to punk rockers more so than metal fans; it’s just got that speedy, snarly vibe, but anybody who appreciates essential rock n roll will get it.

CD Review:EZ Tiger

EZ Tiger, a three-piece alt rock band from L.A.,. features singer/guitarist Tina DiGeorge, bass player Anna Rosales and drummer Kristy McGinnis. On their self-titled debut CD, this trio creates a sound that’s more pop/rock than indie hipster. Some of the songs,  like the haunting Any Other Day and Stay, a lovely pop ballad that would definitely earn the term “radio-friendly” in the days when radio actually played good music,. remind me of hit tunes from  many late  90s pop/rock bands Groups like Everclear, Dishwalla and  Del Amitri produced  catchy songs that were just “right” – they weren’t entirely light rock, but not really alternative either. EZ Tiger’s music has this same template. Their songs have clear melodies, concise lyrics that can appeal to a wide range of listeners without seeming too diluted, and strong, appealing vocals That’s not hard to fathom when you find our EZ Tiger was produced by Brian Wilson’s keyboardist Scott Bennett..  The songs ring through flawlessly, with an even-handed mix that doesn’t favor any aspect of the material over another.

Don’t let the Dishwalla reference make you think EZ Tiger doesn’t offer some outright, in-your-face rock. The best song on the CD, Dancing for Dimes, has a menacing punk rhythm and a tasty guitar outro by DiGeorge.  It demonstrates that EZ Tiger can turn up the heat and channel the Buzzcocks as convincingly as they can perform sweeter, more introspective  material. Last One In has a wonderful, danceable energy to it with a bit of a ‘60s Mod vibe.

EZ Tiger is a pleasant surprise. Their songs aren’t tied to any one genre or fad – they stand on their own. The band plays at the Redwood Bar in downtown L.A. on February 13^th..