Back in the 80’s when glam was king and the New York/New Jersey area was thriving with upbeat music, bands like the NEW YORK DOLLS, RAMONES, IGGY POP & BLONDIE were tearing up the village and many were running wild in the streets of NYC. A short time later new wave was on fire but on the back burner was the induced big hair, spandex, make-up and Aqua net era called glam. It was seductive, loud and most of all fun. The New Jersey music scene started to shoot to the top with bands like MONROE, WHITE TIGER, WHITE FOX and the most unusual band PHAROAH. I had the chance to see these boys back in the day and photographed one show. When you saw PHAROAH live you would say what the fuck, big hair that was altered half black, half blonde and these guys put on one helluva show.

The wild thing about these boys is they would look glam but play a more sophisticated style in the vein of DURAN DURAN, BLONDIE, BOWIE and at times ALICE COOPER. PHAROAH did release one album back in 1986 called “First Strike” on Lipstick East Records but as music fell prey to grunge PHAROAH faded with the wind.

Fast forward to 2009 twenty years later and the resurgence of glam comes full circle and is thriving once again. The Jersey boys have dusted off past memories and are looking to bring Jersey back to the forefront. They have just released their new offering on Quig Records with thirteen re-mastered classics, a BONUS TRACK "Terrorist, live at The Cat Club, NYC 1987 and a BRAND NEW release for 2009 "Touch Me".

Ya know I’m sitting back listening to the new disc and when I heard PHAROAH back in the day I was young and basically went to see them for their show with half-naked chicks on stage. I never knew how good of a vocalists Karl DeKira was and how good of a band PHAROAH were, the musicianship is excellent and the songs are killer. You go from a kick-ass rocker like “Gonna Get U” to a phenomenal ballad like “Frown”. These tunes hold the test of time and the quality of sound is amazing. The guitar work of Rikk Fabio is over the edge and the element of keyboards by Scott Archer gives the songs full body. Vocally Karl DeKira is a master of his craft; great frontman that has sex all over his vocals and unbelievable charisma. You get pop, rock and sex all wrapped into one package on this new release. Check out “Red Flag” just an amazing tune that should have been a huge hit and “Terrorist” (live from the legendary Cat Club in NYC), what great sound!!! “Enemy” has the feel of classic ADAM ANT with the heavy drum beats by Nelson Pop and power bass lines by Dennis Lord. The last track “Touch Me” is my favorite track with the ALICE COOPER feel with cool background vocals, the track has more of an eighties feel then others on the disc and Rikk Fabio goes OFF on it! Just an amazing disc, that will bring you back in time but has a modern sound. You gotta pick this one up.

Keep an eye on RockEyez for an upcoming interview with PHAROAH.