CD REVIEWS
CD REVIEWS
Artist: Katt Lowe and the Otherstyle
Title: Katt Lowe and the Otherstyle
Label: Monkey Moon
Genre: Pop/Rock 'My songs are like an open diary - honest, revealing, sexual, searching, filled with passion, love and desire,' claims Katt Lowe, and that's true. I'd add one more to the bunch. Seething. When this grown kitten growls with wronged energy in tracks 'Only Hurts a Little' and the opening, 'Still N Luv', you know you don't want to be her ex. She may not wield a knife, but your sorry ass will be forever enslaved in a song that's gonna get the shit sung out of it. Is it really worth breaking the girl's heart for that sort of immortality? Don't be a fool! Cherie Currie, lead voice of The Runaways, produced this cd and half-penned a few of the best tracks, like 'The Tunnel', typical of the kind of guitar rock you're in for. Never glows with too much radiation, but more yellow than headlights. Takes you right back to those girl group movies of the 80s. The ones where 'they're gonna make it!' and yeah, they get discovered by the end. Katt Lowe has already reached the end, it seems. It can only be up from here. You see, this is good-feelin' music. It's not the sort parties are made of, but the kind you play on the Way there. And play the next day, after the hangover's gone, when the car's full up with your mates, when your long hair blows in the 65mph breeze since the top's down and rain is just a concept. 'Don't Need You' is the perfect example. 'It's the smell of the air.' The soft guitar licks crank but not distorted. They are rhythmic and made for dancing - by yourself or in the midst of frowners. To define the album in a word - self-reliance. (Okay, maybe that's two, but -) With Joan Jett and Lita Ford as Katt's heroines, is it any wonder she's turned out like this? Katt doesn't mix her genres, she gives us that classic rock we love. No whiskers on this lot, though. It sparkles with all the fem-sex clarity of a new Revenge of the Nerds score.
www.musicdish.com
Katt Lowe & the Othersyde
Label: 404 Music Group
Title: self titledKatt Lowe is definitely a woman with a rock and roll soul. Her voice, her passion and her performance of her music is pure rock. The music on this album is straight ahead rock with Katt's very own touch of attitude. The attitude is the thing that makes this album stand out. This is just what I would have expected from an album produced by former Runaways, Cherie Currie. In the same way that The Runaways gave rock a female voice and splash of flavor, Katt Lowe does also. Katt has a raw vibe about her sound that is so interesting and very powerful. I truly enjoyed this album for the simplistic beauty of it. It's just the way rock should be. Nothing more and definitely nothing less.
- Michael Allison - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM
The Rundown
Sound Quality: 5 stars
Production Quality: 5 stars
Musicianship: 3 stars
Originality: 3 stars
Over All: 4 stars
Runaway Currie Found
Music Connection MagazineFormer Runaways lead vocalist Cherie Currie is producing the new CD by Los Angeles-based Katt Lowe and the Othersyde for Monkey Moon Records. Also contributing to the 13 rock/pop/alternative songs on Loweís CD was bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, House of Lords), who did the CDís artwork as well.
Drummer Russ Mckinnion (Tower of Power, Joe Cocker) and keyboardist Joey Malotti (Michael Bolton) lent a musical hand to Currieís project, as did guitarist Alex Garofalides, drummers Dan Radel and Dave Webb, and vocalist Mark Williamson. This is Currieís first effort as a producer. For further information contact Rhonda Kelly at Rainmaker Publicity, 617-556-0142.
Artist: Katt Lowe And The Othersyde
Title: Self-Titled
Genre: Rock-Pop
Label: Monkey Moon Records
Website: www.kattlowe.comKatt Lowe is "Still In Luv" with her music and the wonders of life. On her self-titled debut she lets the world know who she is, and she rocks all they way through her story. With the help of Cherie Currie (The Runaways) producing, singing, and writing, this CD is a real rock-pop jewel.
Lowe's voice reminded me of a combination of Martha Davis of The Motels and Pat Benatar. She comes across sweet and sassy, and from a place of power when she delivers a song. The music just knocked my socks off.
Alex Garofalides plays one mean axe. The driving guitar sound uplifts Lowe's vocals to another level. It all seems to fit like tight pair of jeans. There is no mystery or magical formula here, its just damned good rock and roll, with a particularly sexy kick ass female leading the way. On "It Only Hurts A Little" she puts on her best pout and hurt-me-some-more tone in her voice, as if to say suggestivelyÖooh, give me more. When its over you will want more, trust me.
This music gave me a good shot of rock n' roll voltage that stayed with me all day. There are no weaknesses at all on this recording. The sound is crisp and clear, and the musicianship is excellent, and that includes the entire band. And what more can I say about Katt? She rocks. What a great voice.
This is an exciting group of songs. I loved every track. This girl has what it takes, oh yes. She sings and struts her stuff with the best of them. This CD is a five star debut.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
May 4, 2001
THEGLOBALMUSE.COM - The Indie Music E-Zine
Katt Lowe & The Othersyde
Monkey Moon RecordsWould some A&R rep from a major label sign this girl and make her a star. This girl is hot. Cherie Currie produced, played keyboards, back up vocals and even some lead guitar, but the show belongs to Katt. The opening track "Still N Love" caught me right away. It is easy to like. Her songwriting style and lyrics are serious but fun. "Please Don't Lose Yourself" is a heartfelt song about one girls plea to another that is in a bad relationship. "Only Hurts A Little" is a sassy little song with a happy acoustic hook that reels you in. She has an 80's type feel to her music and that's a good thing. "Don't Need U" is a rocker that lets her lead guitarist Alex Garofalides get in a few hot licks. "U Can Have Me" rocks hard and has some very hot, enticing lyrics. It got me thinking. I gotta hand it to everyone involved in making this CD. It should be heard by the masses. This CD just kept getting better. There is not a bad song on it. "Get Together Soon" is a roadhouse barn burner that has some more nasty lyrics like "gonna make you sweat all over me". Katt's vocals are sexy sweet and pure; the kind you can listen to over and over. We need more girls like Katt Lowe on the radio to kick all the Britneys butts of the world. Katt I love you wherever you are. Her only problem will be trying to top this CD. Katt's music is sincere, fun, emotional, nasty and happy. It has all the ingredients of a good time.
O=Orgasmic (as good as life gets)
-CH
www.livemagazine.com
5/09/01
Katt Lowe and The Othersyde
"Katt Lowe and The Othersyde"
Genre: rock
This playful CD takes you on a poppin' and rockin' roll-a-cost-a baby! The tunes will take you up, down & all around and then back up again. Way catchy tunes. A great CD for a road trip on a sunny day! Through the entire CD (13 songs) Katt's songs relate to open, honest, real to life emotions. It's nice to know there are happy people making Rock-n-Roll still!
Hit Picks: "Get Together Soon" and "Tonight"
http://www.amzmusiczine.com/06_01/klowe.htmArtist: Katt Lowe and the Othersyde
Title: Self-titled
Label: Monkey Moon
Reviewer: Roxanne Blanford
Rating: ****If you have fond remembrances of The Runaways, Suzi Quatro and Patty Smyth ("The Warrior"), then Katt Lowe's debut should truly make you smile. Ably produced and co-written by ex-Runaways lead singer, Cherie Currie, this totally original package snaps with enough late 70's /early 80's glam rock guitar verve to make you forget the 90's ever happened!
With a soulful, full-bodied voice, recalling both Joan Jett and The Motels' Martha Davis, Katt Lowe sings full thrust, dispensing tons of guts, heart and talent into every hook-heavy note. Shades of L.A. punk and post-punk new wave propel this disc to invigorating heights and rhythmic depths. Most notably, there's "Please Donít Lose Yourself", a moody and cautionary tale (enhanced by sinewy guitar lines) advising women to hold on to a little of themselves when giving their love to a man who isn't worth the pain or all the energy. "Love Never Dies" is fleshed out with intriguing and unique vocal phrasing, while the revved up and sassy "Donít Need You" packs loads of feminine guile to sound like it's torn right from the pages of the Patty Smyth catalogue.
This exciting release showcases not only Katt Lowe's incisive skills as a vocalist/lyricist ("Make it Go Away", "Understand Me", "Still In Luv"), it resurrects the amazing talent of veteran rock ní roll chick Cherie Currie. In addition to her work as producer and songwriter, she lends keyboarding assistance on a number of tracks and provides supporting vocals on the awesomely sexy "Get Together Soon", demonstrating that she can definitely fire it up on high even after all this time.
Katt Lowe and the Othersyde have come up with an uplifting, refreshing and thoroughly modern nostalgic pop/rock offering. If you can handle the heat, pick this one up fast!© 2001 AMZ, Robert R. Lewis
http://www.femmusic.com/interviews%202001/kattlowe.htm
The Place For Emerging Women In Music
Katt Lowe and the OthersydeBy Alex Teitz
What do you get when you combine one of the best producers of the modern rock age with one of the best new talents of the digital age? Katt Lowe and the Othersyde. Katt Lowe is an artist influenced by the best of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Concrete Blonde, The Ramones, Joan Jett, and The Runaways. Her songs have punch and style that avoids nothing.
Her debut CD was produced by Cherie Currie, lead singer of The Runaways. Currie was so impressed with Lowe's work she not only produced, but also can be found playing keyboards, and co-writing. The duo of Lowe and Currie makes Katt Lowe and the Othersyde one of the best CDs to come out this year.
FEMMUSIC had the opportunity to talk with Low about the CD, and Currie. For more information visit http://www.kattlowe.com
FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique? KL: I usually write with my guitar, but I have written a few songs on keys. Really all of it comes to me really quickly in my head. I can hear all the instruments, melodies, lyrics, etc.. What inspires me to write a song is emotions. I have to feel it, whether it be about, desire, passion, sex, indignation, or something someone close to me may be going through. I guess it has to be some sort of turmoil. FEMMUSIC: In 1998 you moved to Hollywood. What spurred the move, and what did you hope to find doing it? KL: I always wanted to live here, and I just came to a point in my life where I had to or I would be miserable. In fact I was miserable. To me the saying, "if you want to make it, move to a big city," holds a lot of truth in it. It's not like Hollywood has some great scene either, it's more that you are surrounded by other people just like you, giving it their best shot. You can't put it off till tomorrow because tomorrow is already today. If you're not in it, it's easy to let time slip by. At least for me.
I knew the second I found my place (home) something good was going to happen for me musically.FEMMUSIC: How did you meet Cherie Currie, and what did she contribute in making Katt Lowe & the Othersyde? KL: Ahh...and there is the good. Cherie Currie, and Sandy West from The Runaways. I grew up listening to those girls and never thought I would be playing with them. I met Cherie through Sandy West, whom I met out here at a club. We had both recently done shows at the Coconut Teaszer, and a mutual friend of ours video taped both of our shows. So when we got our tapes back both of our shows were on it. Although I didn't know Sandy had mine. So she knew exactly who I was when I came up to her, and we became good friends. Sandy was so supportive with my music that a week later she took my demo to Cherie with, "Still N Luv" on it. Cherie, Sandy and I wound up recording it for a demo for Cherie, who was working on a pilot show, and they chose my song. During the first recording you have to imagine how I felt watching Sandy play drums & Cherie singing my song. I thought I died and went to heaven!
During that time Cherie and I spent a lot of time together and she became my best friend. She had told me in the beginning she would like to produce me, so I held her to it!
Cherie contributed a lot. She's a great producer and dare I say a perfectionist! She understood what I was looking for in the songs and even added more. Her vocals are amazing. Her harmonies are exceptional. I convinced her to also play keyboards on some songs and she gave them exactly what they needed. We also co-wrote two songs together and did a duet on, "Get Together Soon."FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making the CD? KL: I would have to say when Cherie was laying down the background vocals. I have some great memories of her doing this cute little dance with, "Make it Go Away," among many other songs. Also working with Alex the guitar player, I think we both drove him nuts trying to get our points across as to what we wanted to hear. We definitely had a lot of laughter, while watching the magic come together. Truly a great experience. FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making the CD? KL: Cherie, Alex, and I were really the ones who put the most time into it. So I would have to say the fact that we are all perfectionists. Some days we could spend all this time on it, and listen to it the next day and want to do it over again. FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry? KL: I think the originality is gone for the most part. You see all the major record companies looking for the next one hit wonder. It's as if the music doesn't really matter anymore. It's annoying to watch so called bands get away without even playing their own instruments. I donít see the excitement of a new record coming out from the fans. People used to be on the edge of their seat waiting, and now it's no big deal. Fan loyalty is gone for the most part. Also having to listen to the same 20 songs on every commercial station.
You know those stations are forced by the record companies to play those songs ($$$$), and they are so afraid to play anybody new. I think if a commercial radio station would take 3 minutes out of every hour and play a new artist that would be the best station. Rather then trying to brainwash us with the same 20 songs.
(I know you asked for one thing but thatís a really strong subject for me)FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry have you been discriminated against? KL: Unfortunately YES! It shocked me. I thought Joan Jett & The Runaways went through that for us. It was the same comment they dealt with. "We already have enough female vocalists on our show." Can you imagine them saying that about a male vocalist? I never understood the gender rivalry. That's ok though, because everybody is replaceable and one-day people like us will be sitting in their seat. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to do their job! FEMMUSIC: What advice would you have for an artist just starting out? KL: I would tell them to never give up on their dream, and that only you can make it happen.Ý Be true to your music and don't try to follow the trendy music, follow what's in your heart. Read all the books and music trades you can so you have a better understanding of the business. If you really want it you have to work for it! The big record company in the sky isn't going to beam you up, and shower you with all this money and talent. You have to earn it. Although, yes it has happened and most of us don't understand why, you are better off thinking you have a one in a billion chance with them, so get out there and do it yourself for now. FEMMUSIC: What's next on the horizon? KL: I would like to go on tour, so I can play in front of as many people as possible. That's truly what I enjoy the most, and live for. I am looking for a good manager with the same vision I have. Selling lots of records!! Help bring some guitar back in music with a real drummer! What a concept, huh?
©FEMMUSIC 2001