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The BlueCats Release "Earthquake Mama"

The BlueCats Release "Earthquake Mama" Original Blues Rock Album. Available 2/1/2012. AWB Records produced the album, which includes original music and lyrics written by Keith Pittell (lead guitarist) and Tony Battelle (lead vocalist and harp player). Victor Patron (bass) and Steve Ebner (drums) round out the rhythm section.

Kirk Nelson plays keyboards with additional song writing and guitar by singer-songwriter Mark Newstetter. Harmony vocal arrangements and additional guitar by Buddaheads recording artist Alan Mirikitani (AKA BB Chung King), who also engineered the album at his Dawwghouse Studios in Burbank CA.

"I really liked 'Earthquake Mama' from the first play. This band is kind of like Fabulous Thunderbirds meets Johnny Winter. There is an edginess to the guitar work that moves the feeling into a low down, Texas roadhouse vibe. Tony B's solid harp work adds the right touches to make you feel like it's midnight in Memphis and it's a hot night with no end in sight. Tony has a blues voice that's in the pocket for these songs… sometimes I catch hints of Jim Morrison coming through. My favorite song is the title track – Earthquake Mama. If you like low down authentic blues, you're going to love this album."
- Don Cook (San Fernando Valley Music Promoter)

Founder of the band and lead singer, Tony Battelle (aka—Tony B), was born and raised on New York City's Manhattan Island. An actor, singer, harmonica player and occasional song writer, his band, The BlueCats, is happy to be releasing their second album, "Earthquake Mama". Tony has been singing for as long as he can remember and studied with Beatrice Rippy in New York City as a teenager. he took up harmonica while attending Professional Children's School. As a teen actor, He has performed with the likes of Dolph Sweet, Judd Hirsh, Nell Carter, Rip Torn and Geraldine Page, who personally encouraged Tony in his career. Tony moved to California in 1978 to attend California Institute of the Arts in Valencia where he wrote, performed, designed, and directed his own projects both with and without the approval of faculty. Tony has been in a variety of bands since then and is also executive producer of his own record company, AWB Records.

The original Venice BlueCats was born out of the same neighborhood as Jim Morrison and the Doors, the Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk; where in the winter of 2005, The BlueCats began as The Venice BlueCats performing each Friday night at The Venice Bistro, honing their act and original material leading up to the release of the first album "Perfect Example" in 2007.

The BlueCats will be celebrating the release of "Earthquake Mama" at a gala CD Release Party and Concert at Theatre West in Hollywood on 2/11/12. The public and press are invited. The press is admitted free of charge with valid credentials.





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