I’ve never heard of this band and I’m sure you’ve never heard of them either. Listening now, I’m not sure why 99 Tales didn’t make a bigger name for themselves.

Instead the band from Sacramento, the undervisited state capital of California (I’ve been there; it’s not worth stopping), barely registered beyond the West Coast.

It’s well worth remedying that by listening to their 1995 Stories From Salem (which seem to have been rereleased and retitled Queen of Hell’s Kitchen), of which this is the title track.

Whatever it’s called, it’s a bit of a lost classic, their sound distinguished by powerful but melodic guitars and bass, and boy-girl vocals, with everything drenched in reverb on a set of anthems of hope, tragedy, triumph and despair.

Fronted by singer/guitarist Vince Martini, 99 Tales took their name in homage to Sacramento punk legends Tales of Terror (it says here). Rounding out the lineup was bassist and co-vocalist Kim Martini (presumably Vince’s sister, or wife), guitarist Sean Schroeder and Dave Hayes on drums.

They played numerous gigs in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Reno and Portland, opening for The Deftones, Cake, Afghan Whigs, and Spoon, but sadly faded into the past after half a dozen albums.