Bang Tango Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt
When we think of the rock n’ roll lifestyle, we imagine glamour, fame, and fortune. However, the reality is often far from that, and few bands have experienced the ups and downs of the music industry like Bang Tango. One of their most tumultuous moments came with the release of their fourth album, Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt, which saw the band grappling with personal demons, a changing musical landscape, and a hostile reception from the very audience they had once won over.
Who is Bang Tango?
Bang Tango was a Los Angeles-based hard rock band that emerged in the late 1980s. Led by singer Joe Lesté, the band’s sound was a fusion of heavy metal, glam rock, and punk. They quickly gained a following in the Sunset Strip scene, where they played alongside bands like Guns N’ Roses, Faster Pussycat, and L.A. Guns. In 1989, they signed a record deal with MCA and released their debut album, Psycho Cafe, which spawned the hit single “Someone Like You”. With their flashy stage shows and Lesté’s flamboyant persona, Bang Tango became one of the most talked-about bands of the era.
Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt: The Making Of
By the time Bang Tango began working on their fourth album, Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt, the music scene had changed. Grunge had taken over, and the flashy, hedonistic excess of bands like Bang Tango was no longer in vogue. However, the band soldiered on, determined to make the album they wanted to make. They holed up in a studio in the Mojave Desert, where they began writing and recording the songs that would make up Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who had worked with bands like Motörhead, Sepultura, and L.A. Guns.
The Reception
When Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt was released in 1991, it received mixed reviews. While some critics praised the band’s musicianship and Lesté’s vocals, others felt that the album was a desperate attempt to recapture the glory of Bang Tango’s earlier days. The grunge movement had taken over, and many felt that Bang Tango’s brand of hard rock was outdated. The album failed to chart, and the band’s fan base began to dwindle.
The Controversy
One of the biggest controversies surrounding Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt was the song “Live Life”, which contained lyrics that some felt were anti-Christian. The song included lines like “Bible thumper, you’re going to pay” and “Jesus Christ, he’s no friend of mine”. This sparked outrage among some Christian groups, who called for a boycott of Bang Tango’s music. The band insisted that the song was not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a commentary on the hypocrisy and judgmental attitudes of some religious people.
The Aftermath
Despite the controversy and the lukewarm reception to Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt, Bang Tango soldiered on. They released two more albums, Love After Death and Live Injection, before going on hiatus in the late 1990s. The band reunited in the early 2000s and has continued to tour and release new music. While they may never regain the level of fame they once had, Bang Tango remains a beloved cult band among fans of hard rock and glam metal.
In Conclusion
Bang Tango’s Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt may not have been a commercial success, but it remains a fascinating artifact of a bygone era of rock n’ roll. It is a testament to the band’s resilience and determination, and their refusal to compromise their vision. While it may be easy to dismiss Bang Tango as a relic of the past, their music continues to resonate with fans who appreciate their raw energy and authentic rock n’ roll spirit.