The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs

Music videos by The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs

The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs story

Discovered by the late, great indie power pop impresario Greg Shaw of Bomb! Records, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetas issued their Bomp!/Alive debut album Heart Full of Napalm on Alive in 1996 (the band featured original drummer Breckin Meyer, Frank’s actor brother), returning a year later with Overdrive. Later in 1997, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs also backed guitarist Denis Tek on new renditions of his Radio Birdman-era classics “Do the Pop” and “More Fun.” The next year, they repeated the trick, this time collaborating with singer Cherie Currie on a re-recording of her Runaways perennial “Cherry Bomb.” Live on KXLU followed in 1999 and received rave press in Rolling Stone, Spin, and Alternative Press, plus shared stages with The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, Turbonegro, Reverend Horton Heat, Fishbone and more. The album was heralded by Rolling Stone (4 stars!), Alternative Press, Kerrang, Guitar World, Thrasher, Flipside, and the guys collected hometown accolades in the form of Best Hard Rock/Punk/Metal Band in the New Times Reader’s Poll in 1999. That year, the Cheetahs joined ex-MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer on several tours as both his backing band and the support act.

Fan-favorite Waiting for the Death of My Generation followed in 2001 — winning Best Hard Rock/Punk/Metal Album in 2002’s New Times Reader’s Poll — followed by massive touring with the likes of Supersuckers, Zeke, New Bomb Turks, Amazing Crows, Fear, Sylvain Sylvain, and more. A reissue of Overdrive (now titled Maximum Overdrive and filled with bonus tracks) was followed by a rarities collections Red Tape Diaries and Guitars, Guns and Gold, and a live album, Resurrection, in 2006. After an extended hiatus, the band returned in 2014 with a 7″ vinyl single (“Escape From New York City” B/W “Fuck The Future (I Want Now)”) on Little T&A Records/Big Cartel with a west coast tour with Chetah Chrome (Dead Boys) to promote it. 

In 2021, the Cheetahs issued their first album in nearly 20 years, One More Drink on Dead Beat Records. The album featured 11 brand new songs and guest spots from John Easedale of Dramarama, Rikk Agnew of The Adolescents, and Paul Roessler of The Screamers. The critically acclaimed album was re-released as One More Drink Deluxe Edition earlier this year by Rum Bar Records, complete with new bonus tracks. Rum Bar also issued 2022’s best-selling All The Covers (And More) double-disc package that collected the aforementioned all-star covers alongside many more featuring the likes of Wayne Kramer, Sylvain Sylvain, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Dahl, and many more. Later this year, Heavy Medication Records will issue a vinyl companion to All The Covers (And More) plus an EP of brand new material.

Yup, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs DO NOT STOP.