Someone Like You

The song "Someone Like You" by Bang Tango from their debut album Psycho Cafe is a standout track that captured the late '80s rock scene's gritty yet melodic vibe. In a 2018 interview on QFM96, guitarist Mark Knight shared that the song's infectious riff and raw energy were born out of late-night jam sessions on the Sunset Strip, where the band was a staple. He described how the track's funky, hard-rock groove was a nod to their influences like Aerosmith, but with a unique twist that set them apart from typical hair metal bands. The music video for "Someone Like You" became a staple on MTV's Headbangers Ball and Dial MTV, with its flashy visuals and the band’s charismatic stage presence helping it peak at No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100, as noted in a 2022 Get Ready to ROCK! review of the album’s remaster.

Another piece of trivia comes from the 2015 documentary Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie, directed by Drew Fortier, who later joined the band as a guitarist. The film, available for free on YouTube due to music clearance issues with Universal Music Group, includes interviews with original members revealing that "Someone Like You" was almost left off Psycho Cafe because the label initially felt it was too funky for mainstream rock radio. Vocalist Joe Lesté pushed hard for its inclusion, believing it captured the band’s live energy. Fans on the Bang Tango Fan Club Facebook group often cite the song’s lyrics, with lines like “I’m looking for someone like you,” as an anthem for the free-spirited Zoo Freaks vibe, resonating with the song’s blend of longing and rebellion.

Bang Tango was formed in Los Angeles in 1988, a time when the Sunset Strip was buzzing with glam and hard rock acts. Guitarist Mark Knight and bassist Kyle Kyle (born Kyle Keiderling) laid the foundation, seeking to create a sound that mixed hard rock with funk and groove, distinct from the era’s cookie-cutter hair metal. As detailed on AllMusic, Knight recruited second guitarist Kyle Stevens, and through a connection with Rough Cutt’s Amir Derakh, they brought in vocalist Joe Lesté, whose dynamic voice and stage swagger became the band’s centerpiece. Lesté’s childhood friend, drummer Tigg Ketler, completed the lineup. The band quickly gained a following, packing clubs like the Whisky a Go Go, which led to a bidding war and a deal with MCA Records without even a demo, as noted in a 2011 PiercingMetal review.

Their debut album Psycho Cafe, produced by Howard Benson, was released in 1989, and "Someone Like You" became their calling card, showcasing their ability to blend funk-rock with hard-hitting riffs. Despite their potential, mismanagement and label issues, as discussed in the Attack of Life documentary, hindered wider success. The band’s official online presence includes their Wikipedia page (no dedicated official website exists), Facebook, and Instagram. Their X account is active, sharing updates on tours and new music. Fans connect through the Bang Tango Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and others share memories, rare photos, and news about the band’s ongoing tours and rumored new album.