Hollywood Vampires – 4 Jacks & 1 Coke

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Jack Records
Produced by Hollywood Vampires

Italy-based Hollywood Vampires are pure sleaze rock. We have a Jack Daniel’s influenced title, bottles of J.D. in the two images contained in the sleeve, a suitably “L.A.” name, inventively monikered band members and most importantly, hard-rocking raucous songs. This is the real deal.

Hollywood Vampires (who else reckons they’re named after the L.A. Guns record?) consists of vocalist Matt The King, guitarists Marcus Young (lead) and Lord Wolf (rhythm), bassist Stacii Roxx and drummer Chris Crawler. 4 Jacks & 1 Coke is the band’s second EP, recorded in January/February 2005, following the 2003 release Luv Criminals. The band are going through a bit of a quiet patch at the moment due to some health problems suffered by Stacii Roxx, but will be playing the massive Venice Rock Festival later this month. The whole festival runs from July 17th to August 28th and includes performances from Motorhead, Uriah Heep, Gotthard, Dare and Hanoi Rocks among, quite obviously, many others.

On the new EP, clocking in at just under twenty minutes, the band deliver five tracks of loud, raunchy L.A.-style rock and roll. Opening with the upbeat Loaded Soul (available for download at the band’s website), the CD kicks off in what proves to be typically alcohol-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll fashion. Matt’s vocals are reminiscent of L.A. Guns’ Phil Lewis, but with more strength and a touch of Axl Rose. The whole CD evokes memories of that classic debut L.A. Guns sound. The second track is Greedy Train where the bass and drums really shine through, maintaining a fast paced and uplifting rhythm throughout. Just before the end we’re treated to an excellent Slash-esque solo from Marcus, before Matt venomously relates a tale of insanity in the groove laden Lose Control. This track also demonstrates some more delicate playing from the guitarists during the softer interludes before the chorus. The solo half way through is superb; the kind of solo you wish people like Slash and Tracii Guns were still playing. Mr. Jacknife is the fist-raising anthem of the disc. This is the one that will inspire the fans into motion again at the end of a tiring show. This is the “I’m a rebel and I’m looking for a good time” song. The one that all the people listening want to be the subject of. Closing the EP is Fly There, which fades out with a frankly stunning solo.

You may think all these comparisons to older sleaze bands is unfair. Or that Hollywood Vampires don’t have an identity of their own. But that’s not the case. The comparisons are intended to highlight the quality of the material and the players on offer here. This CD burns with a raw passion and conviction like we used to see in the glory days of the L.A. metal scene.

“ the real deal ”

Tracklist: Loaded Soul / Greedy Train / Lose Control / Mr. Jacknife / Fly There

Written by Andy Lye
More: EPs, Hard Rock, Unsigned, Hollywood Vampires