Charlotte Medusa Groove

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by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

Just when you think you’ve heard every band in a particular scene, some reissue label manages to dig up a band you never knew existed. Sometimes the bands in question should have been left uncovered, and other times the band is so good you marvel at how they never managed to score a proper record deal when they should have been lighting up the airwaves. Los Angeles based rockers Charlotte are a prime example of the latter category. Here was a band with a tremendous amount of talent and energy, and unless you caught them opening for higher profile bands on the Sunset Strip back in the day, you probably have never heard of them before now. Fortunately the good folks at Eonian Records, who are fast making a name for themselves as a high quality reissue label, have collected the available Charlotte recordings for the first time with the collection Medusa Groove.

Charlotte wasn’t your typical Sunset Strip hair band (though they certainly looked the part). You still immediately recognize the ‘80s rock sound, but there’s a real groove to these songs; a heart and soul that the average lipstick and spandex band knew nothing about. The songs on Medusa Groove have plenty of huge guitar hooks and are highly melodic, but there’s also plenty of swing and swagger, particularly in the rhythms. It also helps that the lyrics – ably delivered by powerhouse vocalist Eric Ganz – are a little deeper than the typical booze, sex and party anthems (though they have those too). You hear these songs and have to wonder how a band like Charlotte could flounder when the likes of Pretty Boy Floyd and Faster Pussycat were riding high.

The sound quality of these recordings is pretty impressive. They were demos recorded between 1988 and 1992, but given a fresh digital remastering in 2009. In addition to the remastered audio, the liner notes include photos and a band history. It’s an impressive collection all around.

If you were a hair metal fan back in the day, and still carry a torch for the Sunset Strip glory days, Medusa Groove is well worth checking out. If you’re a fan of some of that era’s less stereotypical bands – think Enuff Znuff, Great White, Royal Court of China, Tangier and Electric-era Cult – this Charlotte collection is an absolutely essential reissue.

Genre: Hair Metal, Melodic Rock

Band:
Eric Ganz (v)
Nick DiBacco (g) (v)
Vinnie Cacciotti (g)
Chris Colovas (b) (v)
Eric Brewton (d) (v)

Track Listing:
1. Medusa Groove
2. Woman Behind the Eyes
3. Siren
4. Little Devils
5. Miss Necrophilia
6. She Get It Up
7. Got Love On the Line
8. Changes
9. Roadhouse of Love
10. Ocean of Love and Mercy
11. Invisible Man
12. All Tied Up

Label: Eonian

Website: www.myspace.com/charlottemusic

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10