Bad Sister - reviews and critiques

CD-REVIEWS "Bad Sister Live" (2002)

"In the late 1980s there were many bands in Germany playing AOR/Melodic Rock. I could easily mention a few hundred, but among others I must mention bands like Aidean, Karo, Craaft, Dominoe, Bonfire, Vice, Laos, Rough and also the female fronted AOR band BAD SISTER. This band released 2 great LPs, and then vanished into obscurity. But now in the year 2002 the band is back with a new release. It's not really a new release, because the live concert on 'Live' dates back to 1990, but still it's a new CD release of BAD SISTER. 12 songs are included, and all their great songs are included, with as highlights the uptempo AOR rocker "Catriona" (with such a catchy chorus and keyboardwork), the semi-ballad "Desperate Heart" (Heart meets Vixen) and "For you" (another stunning uptempo fun 1980s type of AOR). 6 years ago they split up, but now BAD SISTER is back, and this 'Live' CD is probably only the beginning. If you missed their first 2 releases, then get yourself a copy of this Live CD as it contains fantastic female fronted AOR Melodic Rock a la Witness, Laos and Heat."

STRUTTER MAGAZINE
(8 of 10 points)

SONNY'S ROCK & METAL HEAVEN
(8 of 10 points)

"Look and see! Or better hear. With „Heartbreaker“ and „Out Of The Business“ BAD SISTER released in the late Eighties two fine AOR and melodic-rock-albums and after that the band vanished into thin air. Ten years later the band makes a furios comeback. Obviously they had success, when they decided to search for some older live tapes: The band and female singer Petra Degelow, who is singing quite like Lita Ford, are presenting a concert recorded in 1990. Well, it’s more than ten years old, but nevertheless it doesn’t sound old fashioned or dusty. The setlist contains eight songs from the debut-album and four unreleased songs („Joanna“, „Cat On The
Run“, „Running Wild“ and „Heartbreaker“). The Album shows the live-power of the band and – of course – of frontsinger Petra Degelow. It’s the answer to the question, why they have been one of the most popular melodic-hardrock-bands in northern Germany. The live-album makes an eager look for new songs of BAD SISTER and hopefully it doesn’t take so long."

"Bad Sister huh? Well... fans of female fronted rock better
pay some attention here as this live-CD is full with catchy
tunes. Formed in 1988 by Petra Degelow (vocals), Sven
Lange (guitars), Jörn Saul (bass), Kai Beyer (keys) &
Kai-Ove Kessler (drums), Bad Sister was (according to the
info) one of the most popular melodic hardrock bands in
northern Germany, in the late 80's and early 90's.
They recorded two albums (Heartbreaker - 1989, Out Of
The Business -1992, released both in Europe & Japan) and
toured all over Germany before breaking up in 1996. I must
admit that I never payed much attention to this band in
the past, something that I deeply regret. It can't be all
that easy to track down the original CD's by now.
The band's old sound engineer accidentally discovered a
forgotten tape of their live performance at the Traumfabrik/Kiel from august 1990. Positively surprised by
the quality of the tape, the band decided to remaster and

release it. I must agree that the quality of this Live CD is
not bad at all really!!! Actually, it's darn good and it gives
you the feeling of being right there with the audience. I'm
also really impressed by the song material as it's overall
very catchy and uplifting music. Tracks like "Big Brother",
"Road To Nowhere", "Catriona" or "Cat On The Run" are all blessed with both dut-dut keys and catchy hooks. The
semi-ballad "Deperate Heart" is Tone Norum meets Heart
with a German accent. No need to worry though as the
accent is very cute, like Petra herself I may add. I'm not
too crazy about songs like "Raise It Up" or "Heartbreaker",
but this is overall a must have for fanatic fans of female
fronted AOR. You can find similarities to bands such as
Laos, Vixen, Silly, Heart, and others here. Still, Bad Sister have/had a sound of their own and songs that will keep you in motion, throughout the whole CD."

AOR EUROPE (7 of 10 points)

K's AOR-PARADISE (Japan)

"BAD SISTER is a female fronted German rockband. Their second CD „Out Of The Business“ got high ratings at the Japanese "Burrn!"magazine. This Live CD contains a furious gig from 1990 after releasing.the first album The gig presents hard rock and a rough sound with a lot of melodic tunes. Especially my favourites are "Joanna“, "Cat On The Run", "Russia On My Mind" and "Running Wild". It would be great if the band would decide to enter the stage again."

CD-REVIEWS "Out Of The Business" (1992)

„This sister takes the biscuit. Bad Sister are presenting the sequel to 'Heartbreaker' - favorable rocksongs pleasing by the metallic and clear voice of female front singer Petra Degelow. The guitar playing of Sven Lange dominates the sound of the band with harmonic and well shaped riffs. He certainly measures up to Alex Conti (Lake), who plays the leadparts on „Bad Attitude“ and „How Much Love“ as a special guest.“

BREAKOUT,
January 1993

Metal Hammer 1/93

„ ‚Special guest Alex Conti from Lake‘ – the band is advertising the new CD. However, Alex Conti had played only some leadtracks on the song ‚Bad Attitude‘ and the swing title ‚How Much Love‘. But actually sisters-guitarist Sven Lange doesn't have to hide because of his solid style. His riffs and leadparts enforce the 13 melodic rocksongs in style of Chrissy Steele and Lita Ford.“

Abendzeitung

ABENDZEITUNG (Munich)
September 1992

BURRN! (Japan) June 1995. No idea, what the japanese friends
would like to tell us, but 84 out of 100 points.

CD-REVIEWS "Heartbreaker" (1989)

ROCKFABRIK LIVE (Augsburg), May/June1991

„Ooops, we’ve got these guys already? Sure, it was the 'rock-tip of the week' in the second week of december 1990 on 'Radio Augsburg'. What at that time was characterized as an insider-tip can be described today as 'rock-newcomer 1991'. What female singer Petra (hot!) and their four boys deliver withstands every comparison with 'Laos' or 'Saraya'. The songs 'Catriona' and 'Road To Nowhere' are well-known tracks, at least here in Augsburg, and 'Big Brother' and 'Raise It Up' are going to be the same.“

Review Oxmox

OXMOX (Hamburg),
February 1990

Kieler Nachrichten

Kieler Nachrichten (1/14/1990) : „Pure rock, a lot of sweat and a burning stage – motto of the line-up. The album presents a lot of good rockmusic in american style.“

CONCERTS