The Hellcats

The Hellcats were part of the vibrant Memphis underground scene that flourished during the second half of the 1980s, blending garage rock, roots music, rockabilly and raw rhythm & blues into a distinctive sound. Formed in 1985, the group grew out of the circle surrounding Tav Falco and his Panther Burns, with guitarist Lorette Velvette bringing together vocalist Diane Green after seeing her perform with The Odd Jobs. Bassist Lisa McGaughran soon joined the lineup, and over the following years the band also featured drummer Giovanna Pizzorno, percussionist and later drummer Misty White, and keyboard player Su Ondine. Together they became a striking all-female presence in a scene better known for its eccentric characters than for conventional rock bands. 

Drawing inspiration from Memphis blues, vintage rock 'n' roll, garage punk and country soul, The Hellcats developed a loose, energetic style that felt equally at home covering artists such as Skip James, Slim Harpo or Ike Turner as it did performing their own originals. Their first recordings appeared on the 1986 compilation 'Swamp Surfing in Memphis', before the release of the 'Cherry Mansions' EP on the French New Rose label in 1988. Two years later they followed it with the full-length 'Hoodoo Train', an album that captured the band's gritty blend of American roots music and garage rock and earned positive reviews beyond the local scene.

 
Although they frequently shared stages with Panther Burns and toured extensively across the United States, The Hellcats quickly established an identity of their own rather than remaining a side project. Their live performances were known for their spirited delivery, strong vocal harmonies and genuine love of classic American music, all filtered through the independent attitude of the 1980s underground. The changing lineup never altered the group's character, with each member contributing to a sound that balanced swagger with a deep appreciation for traditional blues and rockabilly. 

The band came to an end around 1990, but its members remained active in music. Lorette Velvette built a respected solo career and later worked with The Kropotkins and Alluring Strange, Lisa McGaughran continued playing in several Memphis projects, Giovanna Pizzorno became closely associated with Panther Burns, while Misty White and Su Ondine also stayed involved in new bands and recordings.