Tattoo Rodeo

Once operating under the moniker White Sister as an ultra-sophisticated funk-tinged hard rock outfit, the group adopted a new name and adjusted its presentation during 1991 to land a major recording contract. Acoustic and blues influences supplanted the earlier soul and funk components as the musicians targeted the audience already supporting Tesla, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. The lineup consisted of Dennis Churchill-Dries on vocals and bass, Rick Chadock on guitar, Michael Lord on keyboards, and Rich Wright on drums. The musicians concentrated on crafting highly infectious and melodic song structures delivered through impassioned vocals. Atlantic signed the band, which issued its debut album Rode Hard, Put Away Wet to a positive though somewhat measured critical reception. The record contained 13 blues-based rock anthems marked by both guts and style. Because the group maintained a rather understated image, it never drew the level of notice its abilities warranted.