The Players: Cleveland Willis, vocals; Mike Grimmett, guitar and vocals; Chris Taylor, bass; Rob Hammersmith, drums.
Stepping into the spotlight at the Cat Club for a showcase gig is Atlanta based Rockets To Ruin, playing in support of their new CD “Love* Drugs* Rebellion”. Symbiotically matching the CD title the guys from ATL bring to town a rock and roll persona complete with tattoo’s, beer, whiskey, cigarettes, black cloths, chain bracelets, wallet chains, and lots of energy. And no rockin’ band is complete without a supportive and constantly growing fan base, especially of the female persuasion. And with every opening of the clubs front door the Rockets To Ruin’s females fan base is growing by 2's and 3's.
Standing on a stage devoid of light, a prerecorded audio intro playing through, the guys calmly gather themselves like caged animals waiting for their meat and a chance to unleash their brand of music. As the lights kick on the band rips into the set leaving nothing in the tank to get them back home to ATL. The set contains 11 songs with 7 coming from the new CD, highlighted by “We Are the Drugs “, ”One More Fix” and ending the night strongly with “Devil Girl”.
Musically this is raunchy rock and roll, nasty sexy energy with an excellent vibe. Taylor’s bass playing is gritty with stage presence ala Sixx. Hammersmith behind the kit, as his name implies, hammers the skins with reckless abandon; and what rocker chick doesn’t dig a drummer who pounds. Grimmet’s crunchy Gibson Les Paul gives the songs that grinding back alley groove, and Willis, despite his vocals being buried in the mix, has the sex appeal, coolness, and charisma a lead singer of a rock band should have.
It’s never easy cruising into a town where you’re not the biggest fish in the pond, but despite the The Cat Club’s sound mix being what it always is - cranked to “ear bleed” setting - Rockets To Ruin pulled into town with a purpose to leave their mark on the Sunset Strip music scene. Given the crowd numbers, and more importantly the multiplying female fans, the guys left the stage and Los Angeles accomplishing their goal.
