Touted
as the raunchiest country and western act this side of the Mason Dixon,
Tammy Lang, a New York performance artist, fronts the her band, the Angels
of Mercy, as Tammy Faye Starlite. A little bit country, a lot of erotica,
Tammy embraces her on-stage persona, gyrating and genuflecting to songs
like "Did I Shave My Vagina for This" and "God Has Lodged
a Tenant in My Uterus". Satirical takes on Christian values, country
music and drug use make for a hilarious act, in which Miss Tammy acts
inebriated, torn, lost and aching. Her vocal skills are strong and sweet,
her voice raspy and high, but full of passion. She resembles full-faced
angel, with long bright blond hair, and her outfits range from country
trash to lingerie and leather boots, ala Rocky Horror.
Her band is equally skilled on their instruments, including Mark Spencer
- Lead Guitar, Rich Feridun - Rhythm Guitar, Jared Nickerson - Bass, Ken
Coomer - Drums, with additional help from pianist Bob Packwood, and writer/singer/lead
tambourine player Eric Drysdale. In performances, they collectively play
the straight man to Miss Tammy's wild Jesus loving child.
Tammy Faye Starlite performs regularly on the New York club scene. Her
shows are a raucous trip into performance art and her schedule is available
online and through her monthly newsletter. She has a CD out as well, "On
My Knees", that starts with Miss Tammy on a mock radio show in Nashville,
as the lead in to her songs. She will soon be releasing her new CD, "Used
Country Female", available from her website, www.tammyfayestarlite.com,
where she continues the performance art with her personal bible studies
and updates on drugs and rehab.
Miss Tammy also fronts the Mike Hunt Band, a Rolling Stones tribute band,
of sorts, that takes the act farther than the standard garage wannabe
band. Playing Mick Jagger, she moves, sings and struts like the man, while
still being the sexy itty bitty thing she is as Miss Tammy Faye Starlite.
Information on the Mike Hunt Band can be found on her website
as well.
-- Melissa Ulto
Free Williamsburg© | 93 Berry Street | Brooklyn, NY 11211
mail@freewilliamsburg.com | February 2002 | Issue 23
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