BANG TANGO - Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt (2011)

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Veteran Californian rockers Bang Tango are back with the first studio album in 6 years; "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt".
Formed in the second half of the eighties, Bang Tango's first two albums, 1989's 'Psycho Cafe' and 1991's 'Dancin' On Coals' were good exponents of the band's original mix of hard-funk and hair metal, creating an amazing bass-heavy sound which set them apart as innovators rather than just another clone of the popular genre.

Since then, the road has been long and hard for Bang Tango, full of break-ups and member changes. Although lead singer Joe Lesté is the only remaining original member still onboard, the band never stop recording and releasing albums (sporadically), and touring all the time.
Pure and simple, Bang Tango is a group of road warriors who live life on the road and their brand new album "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" captures their spirited passion for rock 'n' roll.
In fact, the songs "Our Way" and "Live Life" declare Bang Tango's purpose for continuing to create and perform live. Lyrics like 'some people say we'll never make it... we keep on moving, we keep on flyin', we do it all without even dyin'... I guess you could say it's our way' define the motto of an underdog that refuses to quit.

On "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" (as on the previous album) the funk is gone, and most the tracks are Classic Rock / Californian Bay Area oriented.
First track "Dick In The System" is the only one with a bit of sleaze inside, and this spice really works. Dirty lyrics and solid, distorted (but clean) guitars drives this track, with a catchy chorus.
Another good song is follower "Suck It Up", an '80s vintage hard rocker with all the hair metal spirit, written by the band's ex - axe slinger Alex Grossi, who also plays a melodic solo. The band miss his 6-strings for sure.
From here, all the material is more straight-rock; "Our Way" and "Boom Box Seance" remembers you The Black Crowes, the bluesy rocker "Bring On The World" and "I Like It" are in The Quireboys style.
Title track "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" is a short vintage sounding rocker, the mid-tempo "I Like It" grooves with a British vibe, whilst "Live Life" has a nod with a band that used to play with them; Faster Pussycat.
Bang Tango also includes a pretty nice ballad; the slow "Have You Seen Her" that at the end increases the pace sounding like a second hand Cinderella.


"Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" is better then I expected.
Just like recent Ratt's superb 'Infestation', this album is yet another new recording from a battle-scarred band that actually sounds like it could have been released in the '80s.
Nothing new under the sun, just cool and fun songs based on well played guitars and the (now) raspy vocals of Joe Leste.
Very good production for an indie release, handled by Daniel Salcido (Airbourne) and Kevin Rodgers who had given to the music a clear, vintage sound.
Bang Tango's "Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt" indubitably lives up to their reputation, and if you like or are in the mood for Jack Daniels' soaked Rock 'N Roll, this is for you.


01. Dick In The System
02. Suck It Up
03. Our Way
04. Bring On The World
05. Have You Seen Her
06. Live Life
07. I Like It
08. Boom Box Seance
09. Drivin'
10. Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt


Joe Leste - vocals
Scott LaFlamme - guitars
Lance Eric - bass, guitar and backing vocals
Trent Anderson - drums

Additional Musicians:
Alex Grossi - guitar
Drew Fortier - guitar and backing vocals
Darryl Coutts - keyboards, piano and Hammond B3
Lisa Beery, Kevin Rodgers, Max Lewis, Nick Beery - backing vocals





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http://tinyurl.com/BUY-Bang-Tango