Precious Metal-Cheesecake

Bio By She Rox All Female Bands:Los Angeles, California based Precious Metal began in 1983 by founding member and drummer Susette Andres, whom along with guitarist Mara Fox set out to form an all female hard rock band. Recruiting in bass player Alex Rylance, and guitarist Janet Robin, the band began to make a name for themselves in the local club scene of L.A’s famed sunset strip. Lead vocals duties were soon changed over to Leslie Knauer of pop rock band Promises and founder Susette Andres would leave soon after and was replaced by Carol M. Control. With the line up now secured, the band gained attention quickly and word of mouth spread through the Los Angeles area. By 1985 the band found themselves signed to major record label Polygram, and a debut was released the same year, “Right Here Right Now” was a touch more pop then the hard rock that was inundating not only radio but the sunset strip club circuit, yet a solid alternative to the sleazy hair metal that gained such popularity by this time. Precious Metal was not exempt by many to be lumped into a hair metal category however, but the core of the band’s overall sound was far from it yet being in this category landed them rotation on MTV’s Headbangers Ball for the track “Bad Guys”, recorded for the movie soundtrack of the same name. The pop single from the debut album “This Girl” would later be covered by Dutch pop band the Dolly Dots and landed their cover version in several Top 10 chart positions in Europe, this opened the doors for mass interest in the U.K. and by 1987 the band released an ep that would prove to be a precursor for their second full length release “That Kind Of Girl” in 1988, now on Chameleon Records it highlights the band at the height of their career. The album itself is pure party rock with a touch of teenage angst mixed in with it’s guitar driven hard rock that remained pop rock at the same time, furthered interest in the band, a U.K release of That Kind Of Girl also made it’s mark for the European market. By 1990 the band embarked on their third full length release, however halted by long time bassist Alex Rylance’s departure from the band, actress and musician Julia Farey was brought in for the recording and subsequent tour in support of the album, “Precious Metal” the self –titled third album was released in 1990 and featured much more glossed over, harder edge to the band’s sound. Bolstered by the single “Mr. Big Stuff” a hard rocking version of the 1970’s classic by Jean Knight. The album itself received positive reviews and featured such heavy weight artists assisting, from Cherie Currie to Ann and Nancy Wilson to name a few. Only a year or so after their third release Precious Metal called it a day and sighted the overwhelming surge of Grunge music the culprit. At a time when many of the mid to late 1980’s hard rock bands became a footnote in music history, Precious Metal and a few bands like them, ahead of their time and largely underrated by the male dominated hard rock music scene, saw a resurgence that was inevitable and by 1997, What You See Is What You Get” a best, of was released by the band along with a 2002 release titled “Unreleased Trax and Demos 1983-1991” both giving new and old fans alike a glimpse into why Precious Metal won fans over so easily, not for playing with an agenda but just to play rock and roll, and although the band itself opened the doors for many female musicians to come, they remain a staple of what a rock band should be, a fun time. Lead vocalist Leslie Knauer and guitarist Janet Robin would both embark on solo careers however reunited in 2014 with original bass player Alex Rylance (Peterson) and drummer Carol M. Control (Duckworth) for a benefit concert and fundraiser for breast cancer. Line up Leslie Knauer-Vocals, Janet Robin-Guitar, Mara Fox-Guitar, Alex Peterson-Bass, Carol M. Control-Drums. Huge thanks to Sheri Lynn B. for some of the rare and amazing live pics!! like us at the band at