Angeles released their first album We’re No Angles back in 1984. They were regular fixtures at The Whiskey and The Rainbow. They shared the stage with numerous legendary rock acts such as Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Ronnie James Dio and more. Since 1984 Angeles has released 14 albums. Their latest release is Hell on High Heels. Metal Express had the chance to chat with Angeles founder and lead guitarist Dale Lytle.
Hell on High Heels (2020) Mini Review
Hell on High Heels is loaded with 8 tracks of dirty, sexy glam rock with a hint of the blues. Vocalist Louis Collins is full of melodic piss-n-vinegar and blends the best of Tesla and Great White in his delivery. You don’t even feel like a wuss singing along with the ballad. Standout tracks: “Start Living” and “Holly Fenton.” 8/10
— George Dionne
Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about Angeles, how would you describe the band’s music to me?
Dale Lytle: 80s with a modern flare.
MER: Your latest album Hell on High Heels was released on July 3, 2020. Can you briefly talk about the story behind each song…
DL: “Hell on High Heels” is about a man and woman’s first encounter.
“Celebrate” is about the guys going to a Rock and Roll show and having a great time.
“Heal The Wounds” is our ballad. The song is about a couple’s breakup and the process of moving on.
“Apocalypse” is about a battle between beast and man.
“Start Living” is a song about our current situation that our nation and world is in now.
“Rolling Like Thunder” is about going out for a night of fun.
“Run” is about a criminal on the run.
“Holly Fenton” is about a girl, but also about growing up in Holly, Michigan and Fenton, Michigan
MER: Angeles released a special edition of Rolling Like Thunder this past April and also released Fire It Up in September of 2019. Bands usually wait longer in between releases. Why did you choose to release so much material in such a short period of time?
DL: Our singer for Fire It Up went on to another project and that was when Louis Collins joined the band.
MER: Are there any plans to salvage a tour after the Covid-19 lockdowns are over?
DL: Oh yes we were in the middle of putting a tour together when Covid-19 hit, so we will be hitting the road as soon as we can.
MER: How did you find your latest singer Louis Collins?
DL: We met at the Whisky a Go Go one night. Louis heard we were looking for a singer and the rest is history.
MER: In 1984 Angeles opened for Bon Jovi and Stryper at the Reseda Country Club. Any interesting stories from that night?
DL: Bon Jovi was a little upset at the time Angeles Had a 6 ft. “A” for the shows. He wanted us to take it down before they played, but there wasn’t time for that.
MER: The 80’s rock scene was known for its excess and debauchery. What’s the craziest thing any member of Angeles has done that lives up to the standard of that era?
DL: We used to pour Champaign over the audience. They loved it.
MER: Angeles’ bio lists a who’s who of 80s Rock acts you’ve shared the stage with. What do you remember about playing with….
DL: Mötley Crüe – We did a double bill the night we played with them.
Quiet Riot – Kevin Dubrow named our first Album We’re No Angels. He would come in and say, here are the Angels and I said, We’re no fucking angels!
Ronnie James Dio – when we played with him we used to sign $50 and $100 dollar bills together.
The other ones Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Dokken [I] just remember us all playing and having a good time back then. We were all young and all on the same playing field.
MER: Is there anything I missed that you wanted readers to know about?
DL: They can check us out at Facebook, Twitter, and our official website.
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