Backseat Romeo – Backseat Romeo (1993)

This Syracuse, New York-based quartet came along just before the grunge apocalypse and put out a pretty rockin’ little album (which is pretty tough to find on CD). The production (on indy label Ice Productions) is a little rough around the edges, but the musicianship is tight and frontman DR Rydher (who still sings 80s metal in Syracuse for covers band 3 Inch Fury) has the necessary swagger and vocal stylings.

Sound-wise, they remind me of early Bon Jovi, perhaps with a hint of the poppiness of the hair-metal mainstays of the time (Firehouse, Trixter, Warrant etc). Backseat Romeo don’t offer anything too flashy, but guitarist CJ Tyler throws in some George Lynch-esque shredding in a few places. Overall a fun album to rock along to.

1. Shoot ‘Em Up
2. Gunshy
3. Keeps You Rockin’
4. Up All Night
5. Dreamchaser
6. Waiting On An Angel
7. Running Wild
8. Got It Good
9. Sight For Sore Eyes
10. Bad Boyz
11. Big Trouble
12. You Want What I Got
13. Dead End Street

Hakan Eriksson bass
Magnus Nordland vocals
Micke Larsson guitars
Stefan Larsson drums

turbo