From the Hip

by Greg PratoUnlike some '80s Sunset Strip metallists that went away for a period of time come grunge's reign during the early to mid-'90s, Bang Tango remained together for much of the anti-glam decade (save for a couple of brief hiatuses). And they're still specializing in melodic hard rock, as heard throughout their 2006 effort From the Hip. Singer Joe Lesté still possesses the talent of shapeshifting his voice to resemble several renowned rock frontmen, including a mixture of Axl Rose and Scott Weiland on the album opening "It's All OK," as well as Bon Scott and Brian Johnson on "Go Go Go." But one area that Bang Tango still sorely needs some assistance in is the lyric writing department -- the words to the aforementioned songs make Spinal Tap's "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" sound like a Shakespearian sonnet.