Smog Veil Records recently announced the debut recording – and musical collaboration – of two of punk rocks’ most prolific icons: flamboyant guitarist Sylvain Sylvain of the legendary 'New York Dolls’ and Cheetah Chrome (of proto punk-rock band 'Rocket From The Tombs’ as well as the later 'Dead Boys’) have merged into a new super-group called Batusis. Seeing how Sylvain Sylvain and Cheetah have been friends for long, it was only a question of time before a creative collaboration came to fruition.
By the way, the Batusi was a go-go dance invented for the 60’s TV-series 'Batman’ and is a pun on the then popular dance called Watusi (feel free to look up on Wikipedia as to how the Batusi is performed). Back to the music and the project.
Having played around with possible names for the new formation, Sylvain performed his own take on the Batusi while Cheetah cracked his head over how to baptise the group. After Syl had explained his rather strange dance moves, Cheetah decided that it would be the perfect name for their joint project and Batusis was born.
Since the musical roots of both musicians are steeped in rock 'n’ roll, it comes as little surprise that this is what Batusis sounds like, with a dash of garage-glam thrown in for good measure.
The dynamic duo (I’m talking Sylvain and Cheetah, not Batman and Robin) will premiere the highly anticipated Batusis project at America’s top music gathering SXSW in Austin, Texas, on March 18th. This will be followed by a nationwide UK tour during the first two weeks in May, which in turn will coincide with the vinyl as well as the digital download release of the self-titled 4-track EP on May 4th (both in the UK and in the US).
The 4-track EP also features Enzo Penizzotto on bass and Thommy Price on drums – the driving rhythm section for none other than Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. In addition, the album has been produced by Ken Koomer (Emmylou Harris, Steve Earl), while sound-engineer Charlie Brocco (George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac) contributed to the overall excellence.
The debut recordings will be released on collectable multi-coloured vinyl, with eco-friendly recycled content jacket and full-colour two-sided insert, and also on digital download. Phew, I hope you made a note of it, folks!
The EP will be reviewed on Music-News nearer the time. Meanwhile, tune in again at the same Batusis time on the same Batusis channel. What am I saying, just check them out on: www.myspace.com/batusis
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