bev davies photo
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 31, 1985
By Steve Newton
Animal Slaves threw a record-release party at John Barley’s last week to celebrate their new eight-song album Dog Eat Dog.
It was the first time I’d seen the Animals Slaves–drummer Roscoe Hales, bassist Rachel Melas, and singer/keyboardist Elizabeth Fischer–but it didn’t take long for their stark and compelling “primal funk” to make me sit up and take notice.
A more traditional rock and roller at heart, I found Fischer’s eerie vocal stylings–giddy one moment and cryptic the next–eye-opening to say the least. Her brink-of-madness lyrical confessions and spontaneous keyboard dabblings were buoyed by the formidable bass and drum work of Melas and Hales.
Particularly impressive was Melas, who practically stole the show with her mesmerizing bass runs. This gal is something else!
There were a number of local personalities in attendance as well, among them Soundproof co-host Buzz E. Miller, Images in Vogue vocalist Dale Martindale, musician/writer Alex Varty, rock manager Kim Champniss, musician/impersonator Scotty Bad, and promoter Peter McCulloch.
Speaking of McCulloch, he’s the man responsible for booking the “Queen of Soul”, Etta James, at the Town Pump last Friday. Etta did two sets at the popular Gastown club, and displayed the killer blues voice that made her the choice of the Rolling Stones as opening act on two of their tours.
McCulloch’s next promotional venture is with Jamaican reggaemen the Twinkle Brothers, who are at the Town Pump this weekend.