It seems I had something of a miniscule connection with STEELE back in the day. Turns out there was this local NJ band named LITTLE SISTER, who should have made it into the ranks of a major label but for one reason or another it just never happened (see our “Back in the Day” feature to read a little more about them). When the band was at their most productive, the lineup featured guitarist Jeff “Steele” Zugale and bassist Steve “Witch” Witschel, then a few years passed and members came and went in LITTLE SISTER. I then remember hearing of the band STEELE in the mid-90’s when grunge music was all the rage here in the US and I was able to acquire a copy of the then Japan-only self-titled disc but not much seemed to happen after that. Years later I saw Witschel’s name pop up on the local NJ scene but I never heard what happened with Zugale.
Forward to 2011 and the album that Zugale & Witschel recorded after their time in LITTLE SISTER has now been given a new lease on life. The savvier CD collector may recall this CD as being issued back in 1996 on Alfa-Brunette in Japan but now England’s Z Records have taken it a step further and the album has been re-titled and re-EQ’d to bring the sonic quality up to date. On top of that the CD has been given brand new artwork (that courtesy of guitarist/vocalist Jeff Zugale himself, as he is an illustrator and concept artist these days).
“Tricks Up My Sleeve” is a throwback to the days just before the melodic hard rock scene here in the US was decimated by grunge but also draws a couple sounds from those mid-90’s days. STEELE’s style is straight-ahead no frills melodic hard rock sound reminiscent of bands like TESLA, LYNCH MOB and a harder-edged DANGER DANGER as well as some Hollywood Sunset Strip bands from back in the day.
Opening the CD is the title track “Tricks Up My Sleeve” and it’s a great tune with a hard-driving rhythm and great backing vocals on the chorus. The song is very 80’s sounding and is done very well and those “gang style” backing vocals sound good. The following track “Love Ain’t Gonna Change Me” is very reminiscent of the 80’s Hollywood Strip sound… it’s a bit sleazy and a bit raw but still has an East Coast sensibility. “700 Miles” is a commercial-tinged but bluesy number with the band sounding a little like the previously mentioned TESLA and LYNCH MOB or even a band like Tennessee rockers ROXY BLUE.
On the subsequent “Flirtin’ With Fame” the band gets back to that hard-driving style just like the opening track. The band does this style well and with conviction but on the song following song “Stay” they down-tune the guitars a bit and introduce a little of the mid-90’s grunge feel to their music – the era in which this album was recorded. The song is mid-paced but not one of the strongest that they have to offer on the record.
They bring the late 80’s/early 90’s sound back on “Live Forever” and “I’ll Never Cry” as both tracks feature the “gang-style” backing vocals and driving guitar riffs and soaring solos that were so popular at that time. As a whole, the songs on the album are on par with the sound of the time and it makes one wonder, with just a bit more refinement, could they have landed a major label deal. Maybe they were caught in between the 80’s hard rock sound and the grunge movement just like so many other acts of that time?
“Only In Your Mind” brings a little more commercialism to the bands sound as the acoustics come out and the smooth harmony vocals kick in. The vocals of Steele are great on this track and he shows some soul with his delivery.
“Lead Me Over” is a decent tune that sees the band sounding a little like their NJ brethren AMERICAN ANGEL. And speaking of NJ… the band gets some help from a few other NJ names of note. Backing vocals on the record are supplied by none other than Ted Poley of DANGER DANGER fame and Joe Fiamingo of the under-the-radar act XENON. Irene Wohlman of XENON supplies some bass licks on the record as well.
Closing out the record is “Innocence”, which is a mid-tempo track with more of the 90’s sound making its way into the mix. All in all “Tricks Up My Sleeve” from STEELE is worth a listen if you’re into straight ahead hard rock with melody and a hint of the Sunset Strip sound. It even has a little southern, bluesy rock accent hear and there and the vocals and guitars are a strong point.
