Formed 1988, U.S.A.
Albums:
1988
Demostration: East Meets West
1989
Kicked & Klawed
1999
Last Works 1993-1995
History:
A sleaze metal band that at times beat bands such as Motley Crue at their
own game, however disinterest caused this trashy rock band to disband with little
fanfare.
Guitarist Takashi "Jam" O'Hashi had reached stardom in his home
country of Japan while wearing traditional Kabuki makeup and claiming to be "the
second coming of the devil" in the band Seiki Matsu. But he had his eye on
American acclaim, and together with his bassist friend Yasuhiro "Butch" Hatae
they headed to Los Angeles. It was there that they spotted a band called Merri
Hoax, and more importantly their singer, Joel Ellis. The persistence of
O'Hashi and Hatae won Ellis over, and with the addition of his
drumming band mate Randy Meers, Cats In Boots was born.
They recorded a demo and then went off to Japan where O'Hashi's
name and rock magazines helped push the album to #1 on the independent charts on it's
way to selling over 10,000 copies. The first major label release, Kicked & Klawed
featured some re-recorded versions of songs of the East Meets West demo and
shot to #3 on the Japanese charts, unfortunately success was limited elsewhere.
Their fate was sealed when they were dropped from their record label and
Ellis left to form Heavy Bones (a band that included Quiet Riot
and W.A.S.P. drummer Frankie Banali). An album of unreleased songs would
resurface several years after the band disintegrated. Several members reunited in 2003
for a mini-tour in Japan, so future material is not out of the question.
Links:
The Official Cats In Boots Page
Buy Cats In Boots CD:
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