Peter Frampton, Cincinnati’s resident Classic Rock star, better watch his step this Sunday — Cheetah Chrome is coming to town.
Chrome, the explosively thrashing guitarist/songwriter with the key American Punk band the Dead Boys, will be at the Comet in Northside at 3:30 p.m. on that day as part of the unusual, trend-setting Cleveland Confidential Authors Tour. All three of the authors who will be reading from/signing their books at the free event — Chrome, Mike Hudson and Bob Pfeifer — have their roots in Cleveland Punk bands.
The short-lived Dead Boys, who came together in Cleveland but made their mark in New York at CBGB’s (whose owner, Hilly Kristal, was their manager), were an American Sex Pistols, with quite a bit of Iggy Pop tossed in. Lead singer Stiv Bators (now deceased) had the dead-eyed stare of Johnny Rotten; Chrome looked ready to fight anyone, anytime — like Sid Vicious.
Chrome’s book, A Dead Boy’s Tale: From the Front Lines of Punk Rock, is a memoir whose account of the hardcore sex, drugs and Rock & Roll of the Punk era might make Keith Richards blush. There are also some not-so-high-times; Chrome had to fight through addiction and poverty to revive his career (and life) in the 1990s.
The Cleveland Confidential Authors Tour, which includes Cheetah Chrome, stops at The Comet Sunday. Go here to read Steve Rosen's full interview.