Oregon Music News

There’s a band featured in the documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II called London. They never broke outside of the L.A. area and in 1985 they released an album entitled Non-Stop Rock. I always loved that title. The album didn’t fit the billing and a few years later the band broke up.

Photography by Jon T. Cruz

So you ask, “What does London have to do with Nashville Pussy?” Well, it goes back to that London album title. When you go see a Nashville Pussy show it’s exactly that: non-stop rock. Nashville Pussy are a straightforward, no frills, no gimmick, rock ‘n’ roll band; that is if you don’t consider a little bit of strategically placed sexuality in the show a gimmick.

On Saturday, August 27th Nashville Pussy made a stop at the Wonder Ballroom supporting rockabilly icon The Reverend Horton Heat. Nashville Pussy’s intro music, the Ted Nugent classic “Stranglehold,” played on the house PA then they hit the lights. Nashville Pussy rushed the stage and then all bets were off. The energy level rose in the blink of an eye and remained steady throughout the 60-minute set.

Ruyter Suys, the charismatic lead guitarist, is a fire cracker that packs the punch of a bundle of dynamite. The rhythm section, consisting of bassist Karen Kuda and drummer Jeremy Thompson, were tight and dead on all night long. And you can never accuse singer/guitarist Blaine Cartwright of possessing handsome pin-up looks. After two years of what seems non-stop global touring, his voice sounds gravellier and more potent than ever. Nashville Pussy have been steadily building their fan base in Portland and their presence was known as on last year’s Parental Advisory Tour.

Ruyter Suys gives Angus Young a run for his money.

There were riffs-a-plenty throughout the Nashville Pussy set with highlights includeing “Come on, Come on,” “I’m So High,” “Hate & Whisky,” the Rose Tattoo cover of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw” and “Go Motherfucker Go.”

When it was all said and done the audience was one sweaty satisfied mess and the headliner The Reverend Horton Heat had his work cut out for him.

After the their set Ruyter Suys took a few moments to speak with Oregon Music News about their touring plans for the rest of the year. “We hope to keep on touring. That’s how we make our money otherwise we’d have to get real jobs! We’d love to get on a bigger tour and play to larger crowds.”

She added, “Our album From Hell To Texas, which was released in 2009, is being reissued in September it will include a bonus live disc.” It looks like a Portland appearance in 2012 is very possible.