Funny Money (Kivel Records) 1998
1. "Off My Rocker"
(4:09)
2. "Art of Persuasion" (5:14)
3. "Can't Take the Heat" (3:27)
4. "Baby Blues" (4:25)
5. "For Keeps" (4:30)
6. "Boogie Man" (4:07)
7. 'Pick Me Up" (4:04)
8. "Suckin' My Blood" (4:31)
9. 'Monkey See, Monkey Do" (3:55)
10. "Dry Eyes Cry" (4:17)
Ex-Kix frontman Steve Whiteman's new band rocks! This is really not that far removed from Steve's former band. Actually, I might even go so far as to say that this disc is slightly better than some Kix releases. Funny Money have that L.A. swagger and attitude that made bands like Guns 'n Roses popular in the early 90's. Funny money are equal parts blues, groove, and rock n roll. Unlike many modern bands, these guys don't sound angry at the world, rather Funny Money are pure fun. Celebrate life rather than live in darkness. I wish there were more bands with that attitude. While the entire disc is solid some of the highlights are "Art of Persuasion", "Baby Blues" (which really reminds me of Guns 'n Roses' for some reason), and "Suckin' My Blood".
Funny Money - Back Again (Perris Records) 1999/2004
1. "Resurrection"
(4:06)
2. "Funny Money" (4:44)
3. "Pink Glasses" (4:29)
4. "Sloppy Kisses" (3:56)
5. "Wrapped Around You" (4:21)
6. "Horny Little Angel" (4:14)
7. "Damage Control" (3:20)
8. "I Felt Everything (...But Sorry)" (4:54)
9. "Owe It All To You" (4:59)
10. "Boogie Man" [live] (11:10)
BONUS TRACKS ("Even Better...Live!")
11. "I'm Your Whore" [live] (5:06)
12. "Art Of Persuasion" [live] (4:48)
13. "Baby Blues" [live] (4:26)
14. "You Rub Me The Right Way" [live] (3:54)
15. "Off My Rocker" [live] (5:09)
Steve Whiteman returns with his second CD of sleazy, blues based rock and roll. "Back Again" is chock full of party-hard rock and roll. As such, fans of Steve's former band Kix should find plenty to love here as well. From the rowdy rockers like "Resurrection", "Damage Control" and the self titled "Funny Money" to the more melancholy stuff like "Pink Glasses", Funny Money deliver exactly what you would hope for from them. Actually, had "Damage Control" been released in 1987-88, it probably could have been a big hit.
This version of "Back Again" is the 2004 Perris Records re-release that has been digitally re-mastered by Rodney Mill (Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd). Included are 5 bonus tracks from the 2001 release "Even Better...Live!" This version has all new artwork but includes the original credits from "Back Again" and "Even Better...Live!". Personally I thought the original cover art was better than this reissue.
My copy is autographed by guitarist Dean Cramer.
Funny Money - Stick It! (Perris) 2007
1. By The Balls (4:13)
2. Hot On Your Heels (3:56)
3. Crush (4:45)
4. Big Bang Boom (4:24)
5. All Tied Up (4:08)
6. Fool's Confession (4:30)
7. Slow To Blow (3:56)
8. Nowhere At All (2:59)
9. Play Me Like A Rhythm (4:04)
10. Thousand Thank Yous (3:25)
11. Weeds And Roses (4:26)
12. About Women (5:49)
"Stick It", the new CD from Steve Whiteman's Funny Money, reunites Steve with his former Kix bandmate Jimmy Chalfant. Together with Rob Galpin - guitars, Mark Schenker- bass and mega-platinum producer Beau Hill, who also happened to produce Kix's "Midnight Dynamite", this new release sounds more like Whiteman's former band than ever before. The album is chock full of sleazy, energetic and fun hard rockers with big AC/DC style rhythms, gritty vocals and big, infectious hooks.
Album opener "By the Balls" will grab you by jugular (or the balls) and pull you in. It's a big, fun rocker with an undeniable hook. It's not the only standout cut on the album, as the entire album is solid. "Play Me Like A Rhythm", "Hot On Your Heels", "Big Bang Boom", "Weeds And Roses" and "About Women" are all insanely infectious rockers as well. "About Woman" in particular is one of those songs that will stick to your brain like super glue. "Big Bam Boom" could have been on Kix's "Blow My Fuse". "Fool's Confession" is one of the ballads on the album, but is more like a blues-based rock song than a sappy radio ballad. The other ballad is "Thousand Thank Yous" and is an acoustic song that seems to be an ode to the band's fans. "Stick It" may very well be Funny Money's best album and even rivals the classic Kix catalog.