Released on 10 July 1990 by Elektra Records, Live and Rare is a six-track EP that serves as a raw, high-energy bridge during the peak of Faster Pussycat's commercial success. The release blends polished studio edits of their biggest radio hits, like "Poison Ivy" and their signature Top 40 ballad "House of Pain", with blistering concert recordings that capture the band's unvarnished Sunset Strip stage energy. Showcasing live performances of fan favorites like "Babylon" and "Pulling Weeds", the EP strips away major-label production sheen to highlight the gritty guitar interplay of Greg Steele and Brent Muscat alongside Taime Downe's distinct vocal rasp. Long considered a sought-after collector's item among hair metal enthusiasts, the EP was officially brought back into print with a CD reissue by Wounded Bird Records in 2022.
Live and Rare serves as a raw, unfiltered snapshot of Faster Pussycat at the absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute absolute peak of their late-1980s hair metal powers. Rather than offering a traditional stop-gap release, this six-track EP perfectly bridges the gap between the polished sheen of major-label studio production and the dangerous, low-slung energy of the band’s live sets. The inclusion of radio edits and remixes for staples like "House of Pain" and "Bathroom Wall" provides a clean, nostalgic entry point, but the true value lies in the unvarnished concert tracks. It is here that the band strips away the studio magic, allowing their punk-influenced attitude and loose, bluesy swagger to take center stage.
The live performances of deeper cuts like "Pulling Weeds" and the ferocious debut-era track "Babylon" highlight the tight chemistry of a band hardened by relentless touring. Guitarists Greg Steele and Brent Muscat trade greasy riffs and biting slide work with an effortless grit, while frontman Taime Downe commands the microphone with his signature whiskey-soaked rasp. By capturing the authentic, sweaty club atmosphere that birthed the band on the Sunset Strip, the EP transforms from a standard promotional item into an essential piece of hard rock history. It stands as a definitive testament to why Faster Pussycat was widely considered one of the most genuine, dangerous, and enduring acts of the entire glam metal boom.
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1. "Bathroom Wall" (Remix) – A revamped version of their debut album's standout punk-glam anthem.
2. "Poison Ivy" (Edit) – A shortened, radio-friendly cut of the groove-heavy single from Wake Me When It's Over.
3. "Pulling Weeds" (Live) – A gritty concert performance showcasing the band's tight live instrumentation.
4. "Slip of the Tongue" (Live) – A high-voltage live delivery driven by bluesy slide guitars.
5. "Babylon" (Live) – A fast, aggressive live take on one of the heaviest tracks from their 1987 debut.
6. "House of Pain" (Edit) – An edited version of their signature Billboard Top 40 power ballad.
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