Juliette And The Licks

Actress Juliette Lewis formed Juliette and the Licks in 2003, assembling an accomplished backing band of four journeymen musicians who had tasted success yet weren't afraid of small venues or smelly tour vans. She then bought some big boots and plenty of spandex clothing but more crucially, she secured the co-writing help of ex-4 Non Blonde Linda Perry, a producer who had cemented her reputation as a pop-rock Svengali by persuading the world to take Pink and even Christina Aguilera seriously. The band debuted at Hollywood's Viper Room and then, to their considerable credit, they hit the road. Lewis's snarling, crawling, volcanic live performance is the heart of Juliette and the Licks, bolstered by a strong rhythm section and guitarists not adverse to Eddie Van Halen-inspired theatrics. In October of 2004, Fiddler Records released the Licks' debut EP ...Like a Bolt of Lightning, a record intended to capture the freneticism of the band's live shows. Subsequent touring, including participation in the 10th annual Vans Warped tour, garnered press acclaim beyond the knee-jerk "Movie Star Makes Record" variety. Continuing to juggle duties as both rock goddess and actress, Lewis returned to Los Angeles and holed up in the celebrated Mad Hatter Studio with mixer Steve Churchyard (Pretenders, INXS, Siouxsie and the Banshees) to record and self-produce with the Licks a debut full length release. You're Speaking My Language was released in May of 2005. The band continues to tour.