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GUILTZ N PLEASUREZ
Out Of Control EP

GnP (2013)
Rating: 6/10

This new British glam rock band win no prizes for what has to be one of the worst band names I’ve heard this side of the 90s. Even so, there’s a fresh-faced pomp about this quintet, particularly in the impressive guitar work of Rockie Steel.

The main issue of course with this type of stuff is not only the fact that it was done some 30 or so years previous, but that any band of this ilk attempting to bring metal back are going to be labelled as nothing more than great pretenders. There’s also the concern that acts like this aren’t going to be taken seriously. After all, even the greatest glam metal bands of their time weren’t taken seriously by everyone – just think of Poison and Mötley Crüe, and how they were treated by the press.

During the current climate it’s even more likely you’ll end up on the scrapheap after just one album, having been discarded as a Steel Panther rip-off. There are bands however, Guiltz N Pleasurez included, who are trying to rock seriously. A five-track EP, Out Of Control is their first crack at the glam metal big time.

Guiltz N Pleasurez are fronted by blonde bombshell Bobby Valentine. Valentine has that typical, lightweight, almost cracked glam rock voice, although he tends to suffer on the higher notes. Valentine is supported by drummer Dany Redlar, bassist Lee Downs, keyboardist Alex Grant and the aforementioned Rockie Steel. The star of the show, Steel holds the whole thing together with a series of nice riffs and stirring leads.

The band can knock up a decent tune or two, bridging the gap between Def Leppard-styled melodies and Poison’s eye-lash fluttering. On tracks such as ‘Baby Be Mine’ though, fans of heavier music will certainly savour Steel’s performance. Another notable track is the lipstick strut of ‘Dr Jack’; sporting a ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ meets ‘Unskinny Bop’ swagger, lyrically it’s a typical tale of alcoholism. The title track is more of a hair metal strut, featuring infectious Bon Jovi-styled melody and lush keyboards, but whether this mimicry is advised we’ll have to wait and see.

As a debut EP, Out Of Control isn’t bad. Apart from those steely guitars though, I’m unsure if Guiltz N Pleasurez have enough qualities to climb out of the London club / pub scene. Purists may find this type of archetype glam metal to be extremely derivative and dated. With the right management and promotion however, maybe this London-based act will eventually find their niche. For the moment though, I can see why bands such as Faster Pussycat, Tigertailz et al refuse to lie down, because the old ones are still the best.

Neil Arnold

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