| CD REVIEW Lesbian Bed Death |
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Band : Lesbian Bed Death Weird band name uh? Apparently it's taken from a term used by sociologist Pepper Schwartz (University Of Washinton) in her 1983 book American Couples, and relates to her supposition that lesbians have less sex than any other type of couple, experiencing even less sexual intimacy as the relationship lasts! This band was originated by Razorwire rhythm guitarist (and Psychophonic Records owner) Dan Peach (named “Mr. Peach” in this case) in 2005, whom started the project with befriended musicians (bassist Magic Andy apparently a steady from the start) and opened recorded proceedings with a first version of “Got Girls Are Easy”, featuring singer Johnny Hell, on the 2005 Psychophonic compilation Kill Your Management 5. Soon enough, enter female singer Luci4, completing Peach's vision of “Degrading Goth Punk with Sex and Glam”. With changing friends on the lead guitar (often performed by Chuckmaster C) and drums (longest serving one a guy nicknamed Danny Stigmata), the project started playing the occasional gigs, and eventually the trio of Luci4/ Mr. Peach/ Magic Andy recorded their debut album I Use My Powers For Evil (released on the Internet in Summer 2006, with an official release on the following Halloween) with several members from the live shows and additional friends joining in. Keeping the studio trio as a core unit with changing extra members originally had its advantages. Indeed, if one of the extras wasn't available for such or that gig, a replacement was readily found in Peach's vast array of friends. And also the added friends occasionally generated an unexpected additional flavouring to the debut album... But when time came to write the new material, the hard-core three decided it would be best to record as a more steady unit, as “too many cooks may spoil the broth...”! The situation this time felt good to keep the collaborators to a strict minimum, and the only party to collaborate to the songwriting outside the three was the aforementioned Chuckmaster C. However, the recording process would not be without its hick-ups! After a first day in the studio Andy quit the band, apparently having convinced himself that he was under-rehearsed, and would not do. The band continued the recordings (with Stigmata playing drums to 4 songs, the multi-talented Chuckmaster C doin' the rest, as well as his lead and solo guitar parts), and a coupe of weeks later again tried to convince Andy to re-join the band, to no avail, and again Chuckmaster C saved the day by performing all bass duties on top! Soon after, the band recruited one Will Powers for the band's shows at the end of 2009...and the positive internal synergy Luci4 and Peach have since felt from the band members concerned have made the two re-think their feelings about the project, hoping the recording outfit (plus the new bassist) can also be the steady live band from now on. Now what does this and actually sound like, is what he non-initiated reader wants to know, right? Hum...how àm I gonna put this? Well, as compared to the usual Goth Punk band (LBD cite the likes of 45Grave, The Misfits, The Sisters Of Mercy, The Murderdolls, The Cramps, but also some Glam Metal bands such as Motley Crüe, Backyard Babies, as well well as many others – including AC/DC, Iggy & The Stooges, Billy Idol, The Cult, Ramones...and plenty more as influences), this act is certainly a lot more geared towards the Metal side of things. At their MySpace page, they themselves describe it as “Type O Negative jamming with The Wildhearts, while being possessed by the Devil”, and at the same time recommend it to fans of Murderdolls, Misfits, Turbonegro, Type O Negative, and Alice Cooper...which to my own taste does not do proper justice to the incredible sexual attraction this band has thanks to the powerful vocals of front woman Luci4 (Peach himself describes her as having a “hint of Christina Scabbia's voice...”)! I mean, simply check out the songs (4 off this album, 4 off the debut) posted at myspace.com/lesbianbeddeath...or even more preferably check out the videos (2 off each album at the bottom of the page)...and you'll understand what I mean! Originally Peach had hoped to be able to add a DVD to the release, but at this moment the label's financial means simply do not allow for such a thing. There will also be no Special Edition re-issue of the album with DVD bonus at a later date, as this goes in against his own thoughts about labels which perpetrate that kind of money-sucking abusive behaviour towards the fans! Great stuff, and even if I ain't putting the album in my year-lists, it's definitely one of the stronger Goth Metal albums I've heard this year (and let's not bicker at the fact that I don't usually review Goth albums, okay!?). 92/100 Tony. |