White Hot Odyssey
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Steve Perry, Jason Moss |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Eugene, Oregon , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
White Hot Odyssey was a hard rock ensemble originating from Eugene, Oregon, United States, established in 2002 by vocalist Steve Perry of Cherry Poppin' Daddies fame and guitarist Jason Moss. The lineup also featured guitarist Mark Rogers, bassist Ed Cole, and drummer Jivan Valpey.
Biography
Steve Perry, the band’s lead singer, characterized White Hot Odyssey as an initiative to bring back the "roll" in "rock and roll", emphasizing a style defined by "sexual, dumb, big dumb rock" rooted in the glam rock, hard rock, and protopunk sounds of the 1970s. His creative direction drew heavily on inspirations from groups such as the New York Dolls, The Stooges, Sweet, and T. Rex. Having previously experimented with glam rock production alongside Tony Visconti on the Daddies' 2000 track "Diamond Light Boogie", Perry expanded upon this aesthetic through White Hot Odyssey. The band’s stage persona included flamboyant glam attire, featuring Louis XIV–inspired powdered wigs and knee-length pantaloons.
Originally called "Vagiant," the group made their first live appearance in early 2003 as an opening act for the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Due to their elaborate costumes, Perry was frequently unrecognized by audiences during performances. Upon learning of another band with the same name, they briefly adopted "Vagiant UK" before signing with Jive Records and rebranding as "White Hot Odyssey" to prevent legal complications. They toured extensively throughout the Northwestern United States, playing notable venues such as Portland's Crystal Ballroom and Eugene's W.O.W. Hall and McDonald Theatre, often serving as support for the Daddies.
In 2004, capitalizing on the commercial momentum of theatrical glam rock acts like The Darkness, White Hot Odyssey secured a contract with Jive Records. Their self-titled debut album was released in November of that year. Perry expressed surprise at the signing given that a similar demo had previously been turned down.
The band concluded their performances with a final show in late 2005. Years later, in 2013, Perry revisited White Hot Odyssey’s track "Subway Killer," reinterpreting it in a rockabilly style for inclusion on the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' sixth studio album White Teeth, Black Thoughts.
Members
- Steve Perry (Le Count d' Monet) – lead vocals and guitar
- Jason Moss (Jace) – guitar
- Mark Rogers – guitar
- Ed Cole – bass guitar
- Jivan Valpey – drums
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | White Hot Odyssey | Mojo/Jive |
Non-album tracks
| Year | Track | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Look British, Think Yiddish" (Steve Perry) – 3:40 | Accessible via official website since January 2005 |