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Artist: Bang Tango

Title: Psycho Cafe

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Category: Hard Rock

Year: 1989

Label: MCA Records

Catalog Number: MCAC - 6300

Personnel

Joe Leste lead vocals
Kyle Kyle bass, background vocals
Tigg Ketler drums
Mark Knight guitar
Kyle Stevens guitar, background vocals

Tracks

1.	Attack Of Life
2.	Someone Like You
3.	Wrap My Wings
4.	Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone
5.	Shotgun Man
6.	Don't Stop Now
7.	Love Injection
8.	Just For You
9.	Do What You're Told
10.	Sweet Little Razor

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Bang Tango CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Bang Tango are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: Mike G.	Date: June 26, 2001 at 12:52
Great album!!! Their brand of sleazy street rock didn't catch on with the public as it should've!! From the first song to the last, this album is impressive!! They are clearly influenced by Guns n Roses!!!!

From: metal_man73	Date: October 31, 2001 at 12:23
I remember buying this one along with Dirty Looks(Cool from the Wire) and Junkyard(self titled). I listened to those 3 cds for months straight!!!Bang Tango had a little bit of thier own sound going that never caught on.It caught on with me!!! GREAT CD!!!

From: Drag-in -Bones	Date: November 11, 2001 at 0:08
OK;Where`s my gun? Just take a look inside My head If you don`t own this you should be dead! Every time I see those eyes, I know why you feel so sad. YOU DONT OWN BANG TANGO`S-""LOVE INJECTION""! So let me ask you,Have you ever felt the paine from a shoot gun? Well you will if you don`t add this one to your collection!!

From: JOE	Date: November 20, 2001 at 15:26
Another 80's cult classic.Every song sound too good to be true and the production is high class!

From: SleazyMusic	Date: May 6, 2002 at 10:18
Totally agree with Joe... Raw, hard rock and roll from L.A. ..... Oh, the eighties..... sigh sigh sigh sigh

From: JACK	Date: May 13, 2002 at 19:01
These guys are Vampires! Do you know Anne Rice's Lestat? When he becomes a rock star, doing shows only by the moonlight? I guess the character was inspired by Joe Lesté.This is nocturnal music.Melodic but DARK, energizing and Sensual: like the bite of a VAMPIRE!!

From: jason (FA - Q)	Date: July 14, 2002 at 1:56
You know, it's funny............. When I play the song "Someone like you" for my friends, they all say the same thing. "Is this Billy Idol???......

From: Gar	Date: August 25, 2002 at 20:08
Their follow up "Dancin' on Coals" was better, but this is still a very good album. A lot of the songs seem inspired by GNR, but "Just for You" is a tender ballad unlike any other LA band. Joe LeSte has a very unique voice.

From: The FIzzy One

Date: September 18, 2002 at 20:44

I bought this in July of '90, mainly for "Someone Like You," a song and video I'd loved the previous year. But for the longest time after buying this, I couldn't fuckin' stand it, all because of Joe's "unique" voice, i.e. his hellish screeching and sorry attempts at singing. But it sure grew on me as time went by, and I now dig pretty much all of it except for verses of "Wrap My Wings" and some of Joe's vocals on "Just for You," although the guitar is excellent throughout. THis band was like GnR

From: Metal Man	Date: October 9, 2002 at 16:27
My good friend from college, Chip from Chipster Entertainment used to do promo work for these guys. I saw them at a bar and loved them. Someone is a classic!

From: robert	Date: October 28, 2002 at 9:07
Para mi otra banda mas de HARD ROCK SLEAZY! ESO SI tiene algun q otro tema interesante

From: Tony

Date: November 30, 2002 at 13:15

These guys should have been HUGE!!! I still listen to this in 2002 and can't believe this is a 89' made disc. It's timeless and these guys were almost caught in the trap of being "too good" for what was popular at the time. Incredible songwriting and to lump these guys in with "hair" band status is just criminal. Almost dark "gothicy" funk metal (??) and it's obvious these guys had tons of diverse musical influences as opposed to a lot of their 89' L.A. brethren.

From: T-BONE	Date: November 30, 2002 at 14:39
Hey Tony, If you like these guys alot, try Joe Leste's band Beautiful Creatures. I think they've broken up already, but the cd that they put out rocks. It came out about 2000 or so. It's on this site if you're interested.

From: jarett r.	Date: January 8, 2003 at 14:19
joe leste has also been in l.a. guns and beautiful creatures.

From: FAB	Date: January 23, 2003 at 9:49
just saw in the "pollstar" site that Bang Tango is back on tour (in uk, sweden & japan with Faster Pussycat).As a first hour fan of the band, this is an event i can't miss...the only trouble is that i can't find info anywhere about the line-up, even the official site forget to talk about this tour..if anyone knows, please, feel free to tell me at fab7777@hotmail.com

From: tomcat777	Date: January 23, 2003 at 11:10
all i know is that joe is the original member left... cool to hear that bang tango is back..

From: Vikingo666	Date: February 16, 2003 at 16:30
Para mi uno de los mejores discos de la escena de L.A. attack of life y someone like you son las 2 mejores canciones de bang tango

From: Jouk....

Date: May 6, 2003 at 15:34

Where to start? Well, it is great stuff! Can't fault the music at all - they sure put their stuff out well. Definitely 'ballsy', BUT, why-oh-why does JOE sometimes screech like a psychotic woman? (Did he lose his own appendages?) And indeed, sometimes he is also reminiscent of Billy Idol - but I have Idol stuff too, so no complaints there. In any case - it's worth getting if you like glam/hard rock with a sprinkle of thrash-type vocals! 7/10 for this one!

From: Scott

Date: May 8, 2003 at 3:16

This is the first metal band I saw ever (Hammerjack's 1991)...I'll never forget it..Up until this point all I listened to was dance music and groups as Journey. When Joe Leste came on stage blasting out "Attack of Life" my Jaw dropped to the ground. I never stopped listening to metal since and grew my hair to the sky. This CD was and is still a classic. I like their follow up even better, but man what an affect these guys had on my musical tastes. HEY WHY ISN'T CRIMSON GLORY ON THIS SITE?

From: sylvain	Date: May 9, 2003 at 14:29
hey scott go to the companion site brutalmetal.com and you'll find Crimson Glory. Psycho café is a very good album but for me Dancin'on coals is a masterpiece.

From: ace	Date: June 7, 2003 at 23:30
i just saw these guys on vh1 classic, and it reminded me of what stunk in the 80's. what is strange is that i thought these guys were ok back then. the lead singer simply blows. UP THE IRONS MATE.

From: tomcat	Date: June 8, 2003 at 6:04
i was addicted to the openiningsrif of 'someone like you' way back in 89 and today i still am..great record , great and original band... bang tango rocks tomcat batcave777@hotmail.com

From: steve	Date: June 13, 2003 at 17:25
I'm 17 "some one like you" when i first heard i became a instant fan, too bad they don't make rock like this now days, instead you got rap crap and junk metal. 80's metal rules!!!

From: jarett r.	Date: August 26, 2003 at 19:04
i read in a mark knight interview that he was in mickey knight before bang tango. i've got some mickey knight demos, including a song called "fire your guns".

From: robert	Date: December 14, 2003 at 21:47
Otro disco del 89', esta vez en onda Sleazy/Glamm... No esta nada mal...

From: calicorkication	Date: December 15, 2003 at 1:03
Love this CD. Every song keeps you pumped up even the couple of slow ones. A girl, I had only met once, came over one night and looked through my CDs. She picked this one, told me how she loved Bang Tango, and we proceeded to have sex. This CD is a multi-use instrument.

From: red	Date: February 7, 2004 at 16:31
I love this album. Very surprised they didn't go further than they did.

From: drummerfish	Date: February 16, 2004 at 3:38
sonicly,ahead of its time.great mix,writting and preforming.i recently was the drum tech for a band who opened for the bands current line-up.i think its only joey,and it was a cool show.they did "just for you".which he said was the first time playing it live-ever.either way,i was surprised it sounded so good.definatly a cd to get if you can find it.

From: MJ (Marla)	Date: March 11, 2004 at 23:29
Hmmm.....not liking this nearly as much as "Dancin' On Coals". "Love Injection" and "Do What You're Told" are pretty good though...

From: Rockhead	Date: March 12, 2004 at 14:41
MJ give this Cd time it is definately a grower. Breakin up a heart of stone really gets under the skin espeically the bass and guitar outro I think is a great Cd that was way ahead of its time upon release

From: MJ (Marla)	Date: March 12, 2004 at 14:47
OK.....well since I trust and respect your opinion, Rockhead.......I'm giving it another spin right now!

From: Rockhead	Date: March 12, 2004 at 19:21
MJ your putting me under pressure now, Im not sure if I can take it!!!! Well I hope a few spins will prove worthwhile. I really love Heart of Stone though.

From: dckiss	Date: March 19, 2004 at 16:13
One of the best albums of its time & their best album as well. The playing on this album is fantastic every member can hold their own. Production is with out a doubt AWESOME! Every song is great. They had so much potential but gradually fizzled as time progressed.

From: fallen angel	Date: June 14, 2004 at 23:13
si te gusta el glam rock mi korreo es diego_firehouse@hotmail.com

From: jack	Date: July 20, 2004 at 2:45
They appeared in the 'black roses' movie and how cool is that!

From: Metal Jay	Date: July 30, 2004 at 22:38
"Wrap My Wings" from this cd is vicious. One of the best Bang Tango song. A band that really should have been on a higher level than they were. Joey is a definate screamer. The boy can warble.

From: Kryiis Karl	Date: November 5, 2004 at 14:30
Leste has a very special and quite unique voice (but don't come and tell me he is a great singer, he is far from being that) that perfectly feets to BT. But he owns a lot to the rest of the band, really a lot. BT had a real identity and their 2 first releases are excellent (2nd has a more competitive song writing).

From: Propane	Date: December 3, 2004 at 22:42
Thank you, Ace. Someone has taste. By the way; can I borrow the ,"Up the irons, mate!" sometime? Perfect line.

From: Geoff	Date: December 4, 2004 at 23:08
I never liked this guy's voice, but this is a good solid hard rock CD. No tracks that blow me out of the water, but none I really overly dislike. Good solid disc.

From: Lennie

Date: June 3, 2005 at 4:19

What surprises me is that nobody makes reference to 'Sweet Little Razor' which is perhaps the best song on this album...it suits Leste's vocal and features awesome guitar throughout! I still really like like this album..influenced maybe by GnR but they had their own unique style. + Leste can pull that vocal off live too (amazingly!). Well he could in '90 anyway??! Anyone know what they are like live now as I sometimes see them advertised playing in the UK and am curious??

From: Sex Driver	Date: August 12, 2005 at 11:57
Imposible more original, for 89 the Drum bass high quality, great performance of Joe, i am your biggest fan!!

From: glamcityrocks

Date: April 7, 2006 at 18:39

the true words of sleazerock & absoultely the masterpiece that we need for live,thruthful sleaze gems that it comesvery deeply frommthe heart,there's no escape you can't fightagainst this & when you're touched for the raw attack oflife or the dying wrap my wings you'll feel breaking a heartstone with the ShotgunMan together with the exhausting SweetlittleRazor will prick yourbrain with B.T. LoveInjection that you need for know someonelike you at the end don't stop now coz this is just for you10

From: christian	Date: May 3, 2006 at 11:51
I love this album.it sounds so funky and all songs are a Kiss-Ass. great band.

From: juan carlos

Date: March 12, 2007 at 15:05

Hardrock callejero que gustará más a los que están en la onda Sleazy rock. El tema "Someone Like You"(gran solo) sonó con mucha fuerza en el ´90 particularmente es el mejor tema del disco en mi opinión. La producción ciertamente es excelente. En "Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone" al voceras le sale un aire a lo Billy Idol, "Just For You" es una acústicona regular, "Do What You're Told" tema con un aire Funky al igual que "Sweet Little Razor", algunos buenos solos. Regular. 7/10

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: April 27, 2007 at 20:24
Quizas este sea su album mas conocido pero no es tan bueno como el "Ready to Go".En lineas generales es basicamente como comenta Juan Carlos,Hard Rock callejero y Sleazy pero que no alcanza a status de "clasico"(ya esta es mi opinion personal-ojo-).6/10

From: rockhardrock

Date: August 15, 2007 at 16:12

"Attack Of Life"which starts that classic is great slow rocker."Someone Like You" is great funk rocker just like "Do What You're Told" is."Just For You" is in my opinion of the best acoustic rock songs (joes vocals just couldnt be better there)"Don't Stop Now" is another great song from that record."Love Injection" is good song but not great. Their next album was great too-especialy because of the song "Untied & True".

From: shark attack

Date: May 25, 2009 at 15:41

Sleazy funk infused metal with slash and burn vocals from lead vampire Joe Leste, this is classic GUNS N ROSES inspired Glam/Sleaze from one of L.A's finest. Without doubt one of the best releases from a much maligned genre of music, with top notch musicianship and blood soaked vocals combined with some of the greatest tunes to ever come from the Sunset Strip. Original and unique and still fresh to the ear after all these years. AWESOME. 97/100

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: September 19, 2009 at 17:33

I never have liked Joe Leste's voice very much, and so didn't give this one many spins for years, except for the first couple songs, which were the reasons I bought it in the first place. Still don't care for Joe's yowling, but have grown to apprecitae the band for their own special, funky twist on the GnR-wannabe formula, and musically, this was a pretty damn talented band. My favorites are still the first two songs, plus, "Love Injection" and "Do What Your Told."

From: JamesEagle	Date: November 2, 2009 at 16:09
Not a bad track on this album, the vocals may be an acquired taste, but I love this from start to finish. Subsequent Bang Tango releases didn't come close. Brilliant and original.

From: shoemaker	Date: December 5, 2010 at 8:03
The vocalist sucks! A poor Brad Sinsel (TKO, WAR BABIES), Randy O. (LOSTBOYS) or Gary Jefferies (ASPHALT BALLET) clone!

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: October 6, 2011 at 15:47

You could file Bang Tango (and many people do) along with Faster Pussycat as a poor man's GnR. Very prominent and creative bass-playing, guitarists that are way Slash-and-Izzy, and shrieking singer who sometimes doesn't shriek (but doesn't sound too good doing it). Hell, Bang Tango even upped the funk factor on the next album, a year before Faster Pussycat did on Whipped. Really nothing terrible on this disc, except the ballad, which Joe murders. Elsewhere, they play with funk and blues and straight-up GnR worship. Pretty fair disc overall.

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: July 15, 2012 at 1:07

For some reason, I remember the exact date I bought this tape (I always have remembered dates for unimportant events). 22 years ago tonight, I stood in a record store in the mall in Dover, Delaware, with this tape in one hand and L.A. Guns's Cocked And Loaded in the other, debating what to spend my allowance on. I went with the former, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't regret it. I had loved "Someone Like You" the year before when it was all over MTV, but most of the rest of the album took years to grow on me. But I'm listening to it now, and enjoying it pretty well, especially the first half (the second half has a couple forgettable songs and that dradful ballad). Hell, I once put "Wrap My Wings" on a mix tape for a chick I was smitten with. Story for another time.

From: Leykis101

Date: March 7, 2014 at 2:46

Heard this tape on a whim in 8th grade(1990) a friend from Germany loaned the tape to me, for my brand new Walkman, I didn't have any tapes on me, so before the bell even rang to go to the 1st class of the day, I was already on Dont Stop Now, I precoded to play this tape over and over for probably 2 months straight, it remains one of my all time favorite albums, and the only thing that hampered this disc, was the incredibly dull and horrid production, and on top of that, it sounds as if it was never mastered, but material wise, this disc is 100% fucking hard! I recommend it to everybody, and my favorite tracks are Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone, and Attack Of Life, what a perfect opening song, hits you straight in the balls, find this, buy it, it's way too fucking cool, to live the rest of your life, without ever hearing this, your life will not have been complete.

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: March 14, 2015 at 0:51
This was the album that put the band in a good status...musically talking the sound of the band is like a funkier version of Faster Pussycat with the Sleaze thing in it ...my fave ones are tracks 1,2,4,7(catchy),9(catchy)& 10...86/100...btw Kyle Kyle is the top notch musician on this Record...

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: August 18, 2015 at 22:25

It seems like I hear different textures and things every time I listen to this. Not as unique or forward-thinking as the follow-up, Dancin' On Coals, but the trade-offf is that Psycho Cafe just plain rocks harder, although there are a handful of funk beats and some slap bass here and there, even a bit of skank guitar in "Love Injection." But it's got some of those dark pockets in it as well. I calll your attention particularly to "Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone, with that haunting guitar line. Also, the weird swamp blues of "Wrap My Wings" and the tribal intro to the otherwise forgettable "Sweet Little Razor." The lyrics don't always make a lot of sense, but with the exception of the dumb "Shotgun Man" seem to at least try to be inventive and say the typical things in a different way. You might say Joe has "conviction" as a singer, meaning he has trouble carrying an actual tune, but "songs" with so mch guts and gusto it almost makes up for it.

From: MelodicMetal4Ever	Date: April 2, 2021 at 21:57
Jason: I don't hear Billy Idol LOL. But I DO Hear Guns N Roses and a little Cinderella. Decent album a few songs I liked.

From: Auslander	Date: April 3, 2021 at 23:53
Jason has been waiting 19 years for that comeback haha! 😉

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