The Vinyl Countdown (Number 9)

Tora Tora – Walkin’ Shoes (Douglas/Corder/Francis/Patterson) b/w Love’s A Bitch (Corder/Douglas/Francis/Patterson) 1989

Mixing hair metal excess with a cool Southern rock vibe, Tora Tora landed a major record deal out of Memphis and their debut album Surprise Attack hit the top 50 on America’s Billboard Top 200.

This single sounds like it could have come straight of NYC mob White Trash’s 1991 record with vocalist Anthony Corder a dead ringer for the Trash’s Dave Alvin and it’s a catchy little tune with a great guitar hook.

More Motley Crue than ZZ Top, there’s no getting away from the fact that Tora Tora were made for the hair metal scene and yet their follow-up album was a commercial flop and 1994’s Revolution Day never even saw the light of day after label restructuring.

Guitarist Keith Douglas has a smooth style which demands respect and Corder can hit most of the big notes – although he actually sounds better on B-side Love’s A Bitch.

Tora Tora reformed in 2008 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their record deal and more shows are promised for 2010. Plans are in place to resurrect Revolution Day after a number of tracks were featured on last year’s limited edition career retrospective.