Gina Harlow and the Cutthroats were icons in the hey-day (1970’s) of Punk and Nuevo Wavo, in New York City. Their shows at Max’s Kansas City, CBGB’s, Trax, Heat, Hurrah’s, and The Mudd Club were legendary. They shared the bill with The Heartbreakers at Max’s Kansas City; at SNAFU’s they played with the Johnny Average Band featuring Mick Ronson; headlined the Beacon Theatre to a sold-out audience; and performed at the original Copacabana several times.
Gina was a burlesque star, headlining theatres and nightclubs across America, with a loyal fan base that followed her into the rock world. The band was named “Gina Harlow and the Cutthroats” and featured Gina’s sexy burlesque style into the rock world. The band went from an opening act in 1977 to a featured, headline act by 1979, packing the clubs.
The group disbanded in the 1982, Gina Harlow continued to perform in New York, until 1985, when she began to produce and manage other bands and delved into a successful clothing line, called “Fancy Wraps”, Hot Capes for Cool Girls, a major success for proms and weddings and other dressy occasions.
Gina re-joined the Rock Scene in 2012 when she performed at the Max’s Kansas City Reunion show in 2012. The group toured the East Coast for several years. She produced special events called the “Rock N Roll Fetish Frenzy”. They were themed shows and featured other regional bands. She produced “Resurgent Noise”, a monthly show at “The Treehouse Lounge” in Washington, DC for two years, also featured local and regional rock bands. Gina continues for perform at the Max’s Reunions, about every two years in New York City at the Bowery Electric and at Arlene’s Grocery. Gina appeared in the Max’s reunion in 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019, and we all are looking forward to the 2021 show.
Gina Harlow & the Cutthroats – Live on Stage became one of Billboard magazine’s “Recommended LP’s” when it debuted in 1978. The record was recorded in 1977 at Max’s Kansas City (the legendary New York City Punk/Rock club). The band consisted of Gina Harlow: Bass and Vocals; Jesse Davis: Guitar and Vocals; and Nick Fuse: Drums. It was released with no overdubs, preserving the raw and live sound of a new group in its infancy; it was recorded on their fourth performance.
The group was a classic in the Punk and Rock genres. All songs are original and reflect the social climate of the 70’s. They performed a high-energy musical theme was a reflection of the era, served up with social, political and religious satire in a highly visual stage show.
Rave Up Records has re-issued the famous LP, “Gina Harlow and the Cutthroats Live On Stage”. Recorded at the NYC club, Max’s Kansas City in 1979, the original “Live on Stage” – LP was released on vinyl by Round Robin Records. When Billboard Magazine had on the cover of the magazine, stated “Recommended LP”; the president of J&R Music called and bought 1,000 LP’s, distributing them world-wide. The LP has become a valuable collectible over the years. There were only 1000 records printed.
