The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs - Resurrection

Bear in mind, I've been friends with this band almost since its inception and have even played in the group

now and again, so take things with a grain - or a barrel - or salt.

This recording was done at the Knitting Factory in LA during the combo's 2005 brief reunion (and yes, they are back together again now in 2014), with lead singer/guitarist Frank Meyers joined by rhythm guitarist (and writing partner) Art Jackson, original bassist Dino Everett and the B-Movie Rats' excellent Andy Baker sitting in on drums (they are practically a Spinal Tap for drummers). The set starts out with some of their most fast'n'furious originals, one right into the other - "None of Your Business" (with the misogynistic chant-along "oh no, oh no, bitch!"), "What's Coming To Me" and "Future Lost" (with a steal from the Monkees' "Circle Sky", for those keeping track!), where Frank lets loose and pummels his wah-wah.

Showing that they didn't want to be locked into any single mold, they do a couple hyper punk-poppers in "Miss Teen U.S.A." and "Satisfy". A song combining droney ambiance simultaneously with punk rock, "No More", that gave them one of their album titles: "Waiting for the Death of My Generation". The set is jam-packed with some of the more fun numbers - "Shawna", "Motor City Rock'n'Roll", "Durango", "Disease", "Kick Me Down" and more. The ubiquitous version of "Looking At You" is included (yes, this had been covered by millions of bands before, but they do it justice) and their ultra-fast "Freak Out Man" before sax-man Vince Meghraouni joined them for their Detroit jam, "Built For Speed", which morphed into the Stooges "Funhouse", as it was wont to do for them. For their encore they pulled out the Flamin'-Groovies-by-way-of-the-Dictators' "Slow Death" and rocked it appropriately.

For those who know the Cheetahs, you'll want this to remind you of their crazy gigs. For those who don't - and you should - think of a Los Angeles-based version of punk'n'rollers like Gluecifer, Hellacopters, etc. Feedback, wah-wahs, wild solos, screaming and general wildness.