Faster Pussycat had been rocking out at concerts throughout the United States for years but staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that their 2020 tour had to be postponed.

The band from Hollywood is back on the road with their Straight Outta Quarantine tour, which makes a stop on July 1 at the Art Theater in Hobart. Chicago-based heavy Southern rock band Rachels Bully and Dokken tribute Tooth n Nail open the show.

“It feels awesome. We were supposed to go out on tour last year and that did not happen. We go out every year. It’s something we do. We play every year,” said Taime Downe, founder and vocalist of Faster Pussycat.

“It feels great to just get out of the house anywhere, like even the store. Our agents did a good job of putting the tour together. We’re playing a few places that we haven’t played. It’s going to be fun. We’re looking forward to it.”

A staple of California’s famed Sunset Strip in the mid-1980s, Faster Pussycat released their self-titled debut album featuring “Babylon,” “Don’t Change That Song” and “Bathroom Wall” in 1987.

The self-proclaimed undisputed kings of sleaze rock performed the latter song and “Cathouse” in and were interviewed for Penelope Spheeris’ 1988 documentary film titled “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.”

“Having the Cathouse and all that, it was all new. Me and Riki created it. He was my roommate too,” Downe said about co-owning the Cathouse club in Los Angeles with Riki Rachtman, who went on to host MTV’s “Headbangers Ball.”

“So much happened at the Cathouse. It was just so much fun to go from there to the Rainbow (Bar & Grill). The whole scene was nothing but fun and debauchery. It was a great time to be in your 20s in California. I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”

Faster Pussycat’s 1989 album, “Wake Me When It’s Over,” includes “House of Pain,” which reached No. 28 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The hit ballad’s music video was directed by Michael Bay, who went on to direct blockbuster movies including “Armageddon” and the “Transformers” film series.

After recording a cover of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” for the 1990 compilation “Rubáiyát: Elektra’s 40th Anniversary,” Faster Pussycat released the “Whipped!” album featuring “Nonstop to Nowhere,” which reached Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart in 1992.

They disbanded in 1993.

“Then I did a brief little stint with a band called Pigface,” said Downe, who lived in Chicago during his time with the industrial rock group.

“Then I had another band called the Newlydeads when I came back to Los Angeles.”

When Downe reformed Faster Pussycat in 2001, former Newlydeads bandmates guitarist Xristian Simon, bassist Danny Nordahl and drummer Chad Stewart joined the lineup and have been with him ever since.

“Everybody’s been together for 20-plus years except for (guitarist) Sam (‘Bam’ Koltun). He’s been with us for the last two and a half years. He did a tour with us before the pandemic,” said Downe, 56.

While Faster Pussycat were forced off the road due to measures to mitigate coronavirus, they worked on new material and released the “NOLA” single on May 21 as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl and digital download. The B-side is a cover of the Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers song “Pirate Love.”

“We’re doing a series of vinyl singles. Then there will be a full record,” said Downe, who added that Faster Pussycat’s next single, “Like a Ghost” with a cover of the Buffalo Springfield hit “For What It’s Worth” as the B-side, could be out by November.

For now, the band which took its name from the cult classic Russ Meyer film “Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” is focused on the summer tour.

As of press time the set list was still being finalized but likely will include their latest song and their earliest single.

“ ‘NOLA’ is the first new release in 15 years. I’m looking forward to playing ‘NOLA,’ ” Downe said.

“‘Babylon’ is always fun. Even if we’re having issues, when we play ‘Babylon’ it doesn’t matter. It’s just a fun song.

“As long as I can keep having fun and get paid to do it, I’m a happy camper.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.