Biography

Isolation. Conflagration. Tribulation. None of these roadblocks could slow down the Fastest Land Animal as the band raced to release its eponymous debut. How these resilient rockers overcame these trials to make their musical mark is a tale for another time. For now, let’s lift the veil on this enigmatic trio, one that’s hellbent on turning up and cutting loose, fate be damned. Singer-guitarist Screamin’ Jack Novak was raised in rural England by his father, a nanny and two irascible rottweilers. At the tender age of 12, he left home for the greener pastures of Cleveland, where he slung burgers while saving up to buy a Hohner blues harp and a Radio Shack “Highball” microphone. He eventually sold the harmonica for a one-way bus ticket to Hollywood, where he worked as a bar back in exchange for cherished spots at open-mic gigs in many — if not all — of the live venues along the famed Sunset Strip. It was there that he met two likeminded delinquents and they hatched their plan to unleash the Fastest Land Animal. The first was drummer Shark Samuels, and then came bassist/guitarist Alfonse Castillo. Today, the trio lives together in the basement of the Sunset Marquis Hotel and only comes out at night. The rest, as they say, is history.