Femme Fatale (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Femme Fatale is a hard rock group from the United States, originally formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After relocating to Los Angeles, they produced a single studio album before disbanding. The band's lead singer, Lorraine Lewis, revived the group in 2013 but disbanded it once more after joining Vixen. In 2025, she reestablished Femme Fatale and introduced new music.
Formation and initial breakup (1987–1990)
Established in 1987 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Femme Fatale moved to Los Angeles within the same year and secured a contract with MCA Records following an impressive showcase. Their debut album, self-titled Femme Fatale, was released in 1988 and reached No. 141 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1989. The band benefited from substantial MTV exposure for their videos "Waiting for the Big One" and "Falling in and out of Love," which helped push album sales close to 225,000 units. However, despite these efforts, they were unable to achieve the commercial success enjoyed by other glam metal bands. MCA lessened its promotional support, and after their manager Andrea Accardo was diagnosed with brain cancer, plans for a follow-up album were abandoned. The group ultimately dissolved in 1990 after completing a tour with Cheap Trick.
Period following disbandment (1990–2013)
Following Femme Fatale’s dissolution, Lorraine Lewis pursued multiple solo projects spanning country, new-age, and rock music. She also appeared on MTV's Remote Control in 1988. Guitarist Mazzi Rawd departed from the music scene to achieve a PhD in physics. Bill D'Angelo, another guitarist, passed away due to a heart attack in 2005; his death was reportedly linked to methamphetamine use.
Over time, Femme Fatale’s popular tracks experienced renewed attention through airplay on satellite radio and VH1 Classic’s 1980s-themed programs such as VH1 Classic's Metal Mania.
All-female ensemble era (2013–2019)
In 2013, Lorraine Lewis resurrected Femme Fatale with an all-female lineup including Courtney Cox and Nita Strauss on guitars, Janis Tanaka handling bass duties, Katt Scarlett on keyboards, and both Rachael Rine and Athena on drums.
By 2016, the band had signed with Nashville-based FnA Records to release One More for the Road, their long-delayed second album. This collection comprised tracks recorded between 1989 and 1990 that were originally intended as the follow-up to their 1988 debut before their label dropped them. This release marked their last album featuring new material.
In January 2019, Lewis was appointed as lead vocalist for fellow contemporaries Vixen, replacing Janet Gardner who left to concentrate on her solo career. Lewis had previously substituted for Gardner during a March 2018 concert in Oklahoma.
Revival phase (2025–present)
On June 24, 2025, Femme Fatale unveiled a new single titled "Living Like There's No Tomorrow" through Cleopatra Records.
Band members
- Current members
- Lorraine Lewis – lead vocals, tambourine (1987–1990, 2013–2019, 2025–present)
- Former members
- Mazzi Rawd – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1987–1990)
- Bill D'Angelo – guitars (1987–1990; deceased 2005)
- Rick Rael – bass guitar, backing vocals (1987–1990)
- Bobby Murray – drums, backing vocals (1987–1990)
- Nita Strauss – guitars, backing vocals (2013–2015)
- Rachael Rine – drums (2013–2018)
- Courtney Cox – guitars, backing vocals (2013–2019)
- Janis Tanaka – bass guitar, backing vocals (2013–2019)
- Katt Scarlett – keyboards, backing vocals (2013–2019)
- Athena Lee – drums (2013–2019)
- Nikki Stringfield – guitars (circa 2015–2019)
Studio albums
- Femme Fatale (1988) – Reached No. 141 in the US and No. 99 in Australia.
- One More for the Road (2016; recorded between 1989 and 1990)
- Demos & Live (2024)
Singles
- "Waiting for the Big One" (1988) – Peaked at No. 86 in the UK
- "Falling in and Out of Love" (1989) – Charted at No. 90 in Australia and No. 69 in the UK
- "Touch and Go" (1989, released as a Kerrang! flexi disc)
- "Rebel" (1989)
- "Living Like There’s No Tomorrow" (2025)
Other appearances
- Featured on the License to Drive soundtrack (1988) with the track "Touch and Go"
- Included on the Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead soundtrack (1991) with "Chains," a solo performance by Lorraine Lewis
External links
- Glam metal musical groups from California
- Hard rock musical groups from California
- Heavy metal musical groups from California
- Heavy metal musical groups from New Mexico
- MCA Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1987
- Musical groups disestablished in 1990
- Musical groups reestablished in 2013
- Musical groups disestablished in 2019
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- American all-female bands
- All-female rock bands