To call this Hollywood band as a “supergroup” is misleading. For
that to be true, members’ previous bands would have to be super. While
acts like B-Movie Rats, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, ADZ and Jesters of
Destiny are all pretty cool (and certainly qualify as guilty
pleasures), they’re really not super. That quibble aside, Black
Leather Soul is a loads of raunchy rock ‘n’ roll fun. The sludgy
opening track, a cover of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s “Midnight
Moses,” finds singer Dirty-D exhorting “hey, hey, hey” as if his life
depended on it. “Everything I touch is coming up roses,” he screeches,
evoking Axl Rose and Bon Scott. Originally written for Nashville Pussy,
“Call Me Motherfucker” is every bit as ornery as its title suggests.
Frank Meyer’s guitar solo gives the song all the grit it needs. And
kicking off “On the Run” with the sound of a revving motorcycle engine
is a good move. The band’s approach here is relentless: “Big Balls”
gives way to “Scene Bitch,” which in turn leads to “Hot Pants.” It
culminates in “Exile on Mean Street,” yet another balls-to-the-wall
rocker that’s equal parts righteous and vapid. —
Niesel
This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2009.
