Rest in Sleaze

Rest in Sleaze is the sleaze rock debut, pushing thick guitar, springing beats and provocative singing to the front. Formed in Stockholm in 2000, Crashdïet reportedly took their name from an unreleased Guns N' Roses song. With Dave Lepard (vocals/guitar), Martin Sweet (guitar), Peter London (bass) and Eric Young (drums), they signed to Universal in 2004 — by their own reckoning the first sleaze rock band on a major label in over ten years. While inheriting the big choruses of 1980s glam, the playing has a rougher punk touch. Short songs throw out hooks one after another, keeping a momentum that is decadent and celebratory at once. Four songs became singles — “Riot in Everyone,” “Breakin' the Chainz,” “Knokk 'Em Down” and “It's a Miracle” — and the album reached No. 12 at home; they also played the UK's Download Festival. But in January 2006, Lepard, the man at the center, died at 25. A record that carved out the early Crashdïet image fiercely — aggressive and catchy.