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TIGERTAILZ
Knives EP

Scarlet (2013)
Rating: 8/10

It’s been a long hard road for UK glamsters Tigertailz, and proof that not all that glitters is gold. However, with the metal scene very much on a revival trip and countless 80s bands reforming, it seems only right that these guys should come bouncing back.

Of course, the official band reunion took place in 2005 after the Welsh combo had crumbled in the mid 90s, but following the death of bassist Pepsi Tate in 2007 and eventual departure of vocalist Kim Hooker things haven’t exactly gone well for the big-haired boys. However, it’s 2013 and Tigertailz are back, fully loaded and pistol-whipped and fronted by Jules Millis.

Elsewhere, Rob Wylde takes on rhythm guitar duties, and with Matt Blackout on drums and original member Jay Pepper on leads, this is very much Tigertailz Mark II. The big question, of course, is whether such a line-up can come up trumps again, as all eyes are set upon this new EP Knives. Thankfully I can safely say that all worries can be quashed, because despite its detractors Knives is a raunchy, leather-clad, lipstick-layered dice of glam rock pomp that should even keep the die-hard fans happy.

Just one spin of this EP should get the hips shaking and soul quaking, notably on the lead single ‘The Shoe Collector’, which comes complete with a smoking video featuring The Lawless Girls who give the promo a real kick up the 80s. Musically it’s a real catchy number featuring that trademark Tigertailz stickiness, the sort which made ‘Love Bomb Baby’ (1989) such a rebellious hair-sprayed success. Millis is clearly his own man, not phased by the band’s past troubles – he may have high heels to fill but he does it with ease as his clear sneers act as a perfect foil for those stomping guitars and that poisonous bass.

Tigertailz can also write a ballad too. ‘One Life’ is pure anthemic gold ’n’ glory featuring some dazzling guitar work and a sumptuous chorus which refuses to sound dated as it brings the glam metal scene kicking and screaming into the modern era.

‘Punched In The Gutz’ brings the strut back and features an absolutely killer riff. This is the masterpiece song of the record, a dark brooding, bruising rocker that is as far removed from Tigertailz as one could get such is its weight. However, it’s also the track which proves that the band means business and aren’t just here to make up the revival numbers. It’s certainly the best song I’ve heard from the band this side of Bezerk (1990).

But if the ignorant among you still aren’t convinced then the chugging ‘Bite The Hand’ should at least slap you from here to eternity, because it’s another brooding monolith with sneering vocals as Jules Millis barks, “One more fix one more line, one more hit and I’ll be doing just fine”.

Knives is a rip-roaring return to form and I never saw it coming, but this is tighter than the spandex we discarded years ago, and all topped off by the gnarly exuberance of ‘Spit It Out’, which again features a wolfen riff tinged with glamageddon pomp. Of all the tracks it’s the one which bears closest resemblance to the bubblegum pop of days gone by. Tigertailz are back and boy, you’d better believe it.

Neil Arnold

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