The Newlydeads

Dead End (Cleopatra)
by Scott Hefflon

The Newlydeads are glam leftovers playing what they think is industrial, yet they’re so drug-addled and, well, probably kinda dim in the first place, that the end result is accidentally kinda cool. While I remember Taime Downe from Faster Pussycat (how could one forget? He keeps popping his ugly mug into places badly-aging L.A. scenester fucks with an entourage of like-minded fawners are encouraged to act outrageously instead of told to look at a goddamn calendar and shut up already), I seem to remember another guy was from Bang Tango, a late-blooming dark glam band who were kinda good, though the singer missed a lot of notes in his, um, enthusiasm – but it’s only rock’n’roll and I bought into it. I also remember the first record was released on the now defunct Mutiny records and some Goth rockers with a glam background (surprising how many there are… Well, not really, I guess) agreed that it was a step closer to what oughtta be done.

Then again, Taime probably thinks he’s a pioneer, man, when really he’s only embarrassing himself slightly less than, ya know, recent “industrial” stinkbombs by G’N’R, the Crüe, and all the ex-hair boyz who jump at the chance to do yet another atrocious Deadline/Cleopatra “tribute” just to work again.

If ya want a really good version of what this is trying to be, check out Grand Theft Audio. They have a couple songs in Dude, Where’s My Car? (Shh, I really like that movie!) In all actuality, it’s only “Lipstick” that I really like here cuz it kinda sounds like My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult’s “Sex on Wheels,” but less crazy. Basically, it’s got a throbbing beat, a strutting guitar riff, and a bass line like “Ten Seconds to Love.” And I kinda like the dinginess of “Night of the Living Dead.” It’s a cross between Rob Zombie schlock and stick-twirling cheese, and I mean that in a back-handedly good way.
(13428 Maxella Ave. #251 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292)