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Big Cock
April 23-May 6, 2009 (Extended issue)


          Big Cock banner (photo and logo) used with permission. Courtesy of Big Cock.

We are so very pleased to have featured a hometown band this week! The band is Big Cock and if you haven't heard their music before you're in for a real treat. Big Cock, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, includes some primo talent in the form of Robert Mason (formerly the frontman for Lynch Mob and Cry of Love, and currently also fronting Warrant) with his incredibly powerful vocals, Dave Henzerling (formerly of Keel, Lizzy Borden, and King Kobra - where he used the moniker David Michael-Philips, as well as currently playing bass for the recently re-formed band, ICON) with his scorching guitar, John "The Pulverizer" Covington whose thundering style on the drums earned him his fitting nickname, and Colby on his heavy thumping bass.

If you like your rock 'n' roll loud and dirty, then this is the band for you. Big Cock's style is old school 80s, arena, party rock. We're talking straight-up hard rock, but with a little tongue-in-cheek humor and plenty of innuendo added in, which adds to the fun party attitude they deliver in their music. Big Cock's music is ballsy, sleazy, gritty rock 'n' roll that will appeal to fans of bands like AC/DC, Jackyl, L.A. Guns, Ratt, etc. The band has been making such an impression on people that they were voted as one of the top bands of 2008 by numerous magazines and webzines. That's quite impressive. You'll be pumping your fist in the air for sure when you listen to this band!

Big Cock call themselves the "Hardest Band in the Land" and consider themselves the saviors of arena rock. They're out to save rock 'n' roll and we're so glad. Over the past 15 years or so rock 'n' roll has seen a serious decline, but with bands like Big Cock hope is returning that rock is not dying as some have claimed. No, it's back, baby, and it's ready to stomp a mudhole in your ass!

Big Cock has three albums under their belt, and we highly recommend that you grab 'em for yourself. Their debut album, "Year of the Cock", was released in 2005. That was followed by "Big C**k" in 2006 and their most recent offering, "MotherLoad", in 2007. You can find their albums on iTunes, Amazon, and more. In addition, for those of you heading out to Rocklahoma this year you'll get the chance to see Big Cock perform. They'll be in concert there on July 10th, 2009 at 10:30 pm on the Hill Side Stage, so make sure you check 'em out.

This issue of our webzine was loaded with Big Cock. We've got an interview with guitarist Dave Henzerling, a review of their debut album, "Year of the Cock", as well as a review of their most recent release, "MotherLoad". After checking all this out, go by the band's MySpace page and website for more info. Remember, Big Cock rocks!!!

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Blacklist Union were the winners of our “Favorite New Band” contest for the month of May, and worthy winners they are. This Hollywood, California quartet, Tony West on vocals, Johnny Harley on guitar, Ryan Collier on bass and Moon Hills on drums, formed in 2004 and have two albums under their black leather and skull buckle belts.

The band released their first album, After the Mourning, in 2006. It was followed up with last year's release of Breakin Bread with the Devil. Blacklist Union's albums have received rave reviews. The band bridges the gap between 80s rock and today with their own standout style. Clad in black leather, sleeved with tattoos, wearing eyeliner and with a sound that will appeal to fans of Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Ozzy, Buckcherry, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Circus of Power and L.A. Guns, Blacklist Union have managed to bring rock n' roll with a dirty, sleazy swagger back to Hollywood.

We're proud to be featuring Blacklist Union in this issue of Electric Pussycat Magazine. Don't miss my interview with the band's lead singer and founder, Tony West (coming soon). To find out more about this killer band, visit their MySpace page and/or website.

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Brake Vegas
June 4-10, 2009

Man, where do I start? I was blown away as soon as I heard this band's music. This is ballsy, sleazy, kick-ass rock 'n roll, just the way it oughta be. Brake Vegas describes their sound as "Blow Your Clothes Off Rock-N-Roll" and as soon as you hear them you'll understand why.

That said, I was very happy when I found out they'd be performing here in Phoenix. Unfortunately, they were the first band to play at The Blooze Club on a night where four bands were scheduled to play, and due to my required attendance at my daughter's dance recital followed by hitting not one, but two freeway closures on my way to the club (which made a 30 minute drive a 55 minute drive), I walked up to the door just as they were saying, "Thank you, good night." Man, was I steamed!!! I have to say thank you to the guys for their understanding, and I'm happy to say that they'll be back in September. Nothing will stop me from missing their return appearance.

Since I missed their performance I won't have a show review for you this time, but rest assured I'll give you a review when they come back. However, I have it on good authority (from Blooze owner, Tumbleweed) that they kicked ass and shocked the hell out of the packed-house crowd that was there that night, so that's good to know.

The band was gracious enough to provide me with a copy of their EP entitled "Strap Up", so you'll find a review of that in this week's issue of Electric Pussycat. They also did an interview with me, and I have to say I had a great time talking with these guys. They are on the same page as I am when it comes to the state of rock 'n roll today.

Brake Vegas is a five piece band out of Dallas, Texas. The members all came together with the shared philosophy of leaving everything behind to set out on a journey where they can take their hard-driving, raw, dirty rock 'n roll out to the masses. They are all about 110 % committment to their music.

The music they've set out to create is music that gets back to the roots of the hard rock era from the 70s to 80s, music about rebellion and partying hard. This is music that leaves the smell of motor oil in its wake, whether from hot rods or Harley's, your choice. It's all about having a good time.

Brake Vegas has only been together for about eight months, but they haven't been letting the grass grow under their feet. They've already released one hell of an EP and have completed their first multi-state tour (with the performance here in Phoenix being the final show of that tour). The tour comes after nearly 30 very successful shows played throughout Texas and Oklahoma, including opening slots for L.A. Guns.

With a start like that the member of Brake Vegas, Kyle Ainsley (lead vocals), Adam Von Schultz (lead guitar/vocals), Kells Bells (rhythm/lead guitar/vocals), Matt Slyder (bass, vocals) and Beers (drums/percussion), will surely conquer the rock 'n roll world!

To check out the music of Brake Vegas and for future tour info (they'll be back on the road later this summer), go to the band's MySpace page or website. Also, don't forget to read my interview with the band, as well as my review of their EP, "Strap Up".

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Britny Fox
May 28 - June 3, 2009



All photos by Tawny Khat. Copyright 2009 All rights reserved.

So, last month my assistant, Anita, and I hopped in her truck for a road trip from Phoenix to Vegas to see Britny Fox, and Pretty Boy Floyd (although that's another story). We did so because neither band was scheduled to do a show in Phoenix, and because any excuse to go to Vegas is a good one, right? It had been 15 or 20 years since I last saw Britny Fox perform, so I figured it would be great to see them again, and I was right! For more about the show, please read my review of it. For now, I'll delve into the history of Britny Fox.

Billy Childs
Britny Fox was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1985 when band founder "Dizzy" Dean Davidson (lead vox, rhythm guitar) and ex-Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith joined forces. With the addition of Billy Childs (bass) and ex-Cinderella drummer Tony "Stix" Destra the lineup was complete. The band then named themselves for one of Dean Davidson's Welsh ancestors.

Dean had already written a number of songs, so the band was able to quickly begin touring all along the East Coast of the U.S., playing in as many bars and clubs as they could. The band also released a demo entitled "In America" in 1986. Britny Fox began to have a very strong following in a short amount of time, and based on that, along with their impressive demo, and some help from their friends in Cinderella, the band was soon signed by Columbia Records.
Jamie Fletcher
With plans to record their first album, the band was riding high, but then tragedy struck. Before recording of the album began, drummer Tony Destra died in a car wreck on February 8, 1987 in Pennsylvania after a performance with Britny Fox. As the saying goes, however, the show must go on, so the band then added a friend, drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier , who was only with the group for a brief time. They then recruited ex-Waysted drummer Johnny Dee, also a friend of the band's members.

Britny Fox's self-titled debut album was released in 1988, and became one of the best selling debuts of the year, selling a million copies. The album included the monster hits "Girlschool" and "Long Way To Love". In addition to the impressive record sales, the band drew some 625,000 fans to the more than 130 concerts they performed. They also received accolades from the media, including winning Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band.

Greg Polcari
Britny Fox released its second album, "Boys in Heat" , in 1989. It was an excellent album, as well, but only managed to sell about half the number of copies as the debut record. Then, soon after its release and only one show into a headlining East Coast tour, Dean abruptly decided to leave the band for his new group, Blackeyed Susan . He had already formed Blackeyed Susan without the knowledge of his bandmates in Britny Fox. The remaining members of Britny Fox were stunned and were left without work for two years, in addition to losing their record deal because of the delay in finding a new singer.
Henry Now
With Dean's departure, the search was on for a new vocalist. They engaged in talks with John Corabi, but he was already working on another project. The remaining members then listened to hundreds of demos, including one from future Jackyl vocalist Jesse James Dupree, before selecting Las Vegas resident Tommy Paris as their new singer. Then, with the help of such notables as Rikki Rockett of Poison and Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne's band who both made guest appearances on it, Britny Fox released their third album, "Bite Down Hard" in 1991. Although the album rocked, it only sold about one quarter the number of copies as the debut album. Glam rock was on a decline with the loss of support from the recording industry, as reflected in reduced album sales, and grunge was the new recording industry and rock radio darling, so in 1992 the band called it quits.

Tommy Paris and Johnny Dee joined up in 1998 to form Uncle Edna . They then released a self-titled EP. Meanwhile, "Dizzy" Dean went on to record a solo album, "A Weekend Soul Massage", where he went by the stage name Jarod Dean. The album got Dean a record deal. He dropped his stage name and formed a new band, Love Saves the Day. This new band released its debut album, "Superstar" , in 2001.

Britny Fox reunited, with vocalist Tommy Paris at the helm. Dean showed no interest in rejoining the band. They embarked on a short tour of the East Coast and released a live album recorded during that club tour. The album, "Long Way to LIVE!" , was released in 2001.

The momentum of the tour prompted band members to begin writing tunes for a new album. Legal problems with the record company prevented them from recording the new material, however. So, Johnny Dee joined Doro for a European tour, while Tommy Paris recorded a solo album entitled "2009" and Michael Kelly Smith was signed to Perris Records. Michael then released an album featuring songs recorded with his 1990s band Razamanaz (definitely worth checking out, by the way, if you can find it that is).

Britny Fox wasn't finished yet, however. They finally got the opportunity to record their fourth studio album on Spitfire Records. The new album, "Springhead Motorshark" , was released in July of 2003.

In 2007, Dean Davidson released a solo album, "Drive My Karma" . Also that year, Britny Fox's first album was remastered and reissued by American Beat Records. Britny Fox embarked on a tour of both the U.S. and Europe. The touring band was made up of Tommy Paris on vocals, Billy Childs on bass, Tommy Krash on guitars for the first leg of the tour, Greg Polcari on guitar for the second leg of the tour and drummer Henry Now (Nowak).

The year 2008 saw more changes for Britny Fox. Billy Childs, now the only original member of Britny Fox, along with Henry on drums and Greg on lead guitar, were joined by Jamie Fletcher (of the band N/V from Parkersburg, West Virginia) on vocals and rhythm guitar. Tommy Paris had parted amicably with the band. Although plagued by negative rumors and press, the band forged on with the help of a new management and booking company, Lane Productions, and a new record deal with Chavis Records. In March of 2008 the new lineup set out on tour to reconnect with Britny fans.

In January 2009 Dean Davidson announced that he'd been signed to Greenplanet Records. His new band will be releasing their debut album this year. Then, in February 2009 it was announced that former Britny Fox drummer Johnny Dee had joined a Philly cover band called American Tabloid. Meanwhile, Britny Fox embarked on a short U.S. tour which began April 18th, 2009 in Las Vegas, the show Anita and I attended. The tour will wrap up on May 31st when Britny Fox and Tyketto perform at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, New York. There will be 100 pairs of FREE tickets given out for this show. To get your free tickets, just send your name and address to Britney Fox's management email address of TropicManagement@Hotmail.com. The tickets will be mailed out, so make sure to request your free tickets well in advance of the show so they have time to get to you. There will be a merchandise table at the show where you can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a brand new Fender Stratocaster guitar. The band will hold the drawing after their show. Britny Fox members will also be hanging out at the merchandise table for a meet and greet with fans. Should be a great time!


Jamie Fletcher with a fan from Ohio who came to the show dressed for "Girlschool".

Britny Fox is also currently working on a new album to be released later this year on a major label. Greg Polcari, the band's guitarist, reported that the first new single is finished and will be released very soon. By the way, Greg has another band, The Eden Project, which features his very talented wife, Maureen Stasi, on vocals. Their album will be released this year, as well. One other tidbit for this year, Britny members will be making cameo appearances in a horror film entitled "Incest Death Squad" which will be released later this year. In addition, they'll be at the film's release party. Below is a trailer for the movie.



For more Britny Fox info, check out the band's MySpace page. Don't miss my review of their show in Vegas, too.

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