Underground Girls

Gone fishin'

2011-12-19T05:22:00.000-08:00

This isn't a goodbye to the blog world forever, it's just to say I work 2 jobs, 7 days a week and I'm tired and have no free time to do anything, have a social life and/or write on this thing anymore. I may post occasionally from time to time, but for now I think I'm done for a while. Thanks to all who have read my ramblings for the past few years. It's been fun. xo Kelly

Girls in the news

2011-12-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

LA punk legend Alice Bag reads excerpts from her new book this week in San Francisco!!

A great Exene Cervenka interview!!

Dum Dum Girls were on Jimmy Fallon

Kim and Thurston broke up... sniffle sniffle... now Sonic Youth is next?

Amy Winehouse's final collection for Fred Perry has been released...

Gwen Stefani has a little girl and baby clothing line at Target and the clothes are pretty adorable

Courtney Love takes a break from being batshitcrazy in order to get Lindsay Lohan sober. Good for her.

Sinead O'Connor is getting married....again!

See Ronnie Spector perform LIVE!

See Darlene Love PERFORM LIVE, too!!

New music video brings Amy Winehouse back to life

2011-11-20T18:56:00.001-08:00

In 2002, Amy Winehouse recorded a ska-tinged cover of Our Day Will Come, originally recorded by Ruby and the Romantics in 1963 (this song is probably in my top 10 songs of all time, SUCH a great tune...) This song will be featured on the upcoming posthumous album titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures, released in early December, 2011. After doing some research, I've learned this release WILL come out on vinyl.

Black Friday for music nerds

2011-11-17T13:54:00.001-08:00

That horrible day after Thanksgiving just got a little more exciting for record collectors. Our special day (Record Store Day) now has a Black Friday. But this time, there are even less ladies represented than last time. Janis Joplin and Sharon Jones. That's it.

So, people who are responsible for Record Store Day, I have a question fer ya...

WHAT

WITH

DAT????????

Free CD giveaway!!

2011-11-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

I came across some old compilation CDs I made that I thought I had lost forever. One is a 2-CD compilation of female soul/funk/reggae singers called BITCHES BREW and let me tell you... it rules. I've decided to make 5 copies for the first 5 people that email me at kellyfeverxo (at) gmail (dot) com. Please make subject line BITCHES BREW and provide your name and shipping address and I'll send 'em to you for free!! Comps feature Dusty Springfield, Letta Mbulu, Ranking Ann, Syreeta, Marva Whitney, Betty Wright, Pam Grier, Gwen McCrae, Phyllis Dillon, Susan Cadogan... 40 songs total!

X-mas for Underground Girls!

2011-11-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again… that time of year when dudes don’t know what to get their dudettes, when dads don’t know what to get their lady grads, when musically-challenged friends don’t know what to get their super cool music-loving female friends… may I help you?

The rock n roll girl Holiday gift guide 2011:

First off, all girls love ModCloth.com – if you're in a hurry or really don't know what the heck to get her, just stick with an online gift card. ModCloth has super cute record and music-related items that are really unique!

What about a vinyl puzzle?

Or some super cute guitar and amp ornaments?

I have so many keys, I look like a mother effing janitor up in this joint. But I think having a keycap that looked like a mother effing record player would solve a lot of my problems!!

This boombox pouch is perfect for makeup and other lady-related items that guys freak out if a girl mentions (i.e. tampons)

I think lunch would taste better in a bento box that looked like a vinyl record, don’t you?

For the riot grrrrrl in your life, what about GIRLS TO THE FRONT? (I’m reading this right now and it’s pretty awesome)

…or the obscure female-fronted LA punk fan? Alice Bag’s new book!! (this is on my X-mas wish list… hint hint to my boyfriend if he is reading this!!)

The ultimate girl group lover present is this but you’ll have to cough up some major clamage. If you really love her, you’ll do it!!!

Is it creepy for adult women to collect dolls? A little. But these dolls aren’t creepy at all, they rule, and your lady friend will cherish them forever: Cyndi, Joan and Deb… you can even see what Cher’s ass looks like in doll form “if ahhh could tuuurn baaaack taaahhhimmeee”

Q: does every girl need this? A: hell yes.

Every girl could use the Phil Spector box set that came out a few weeks ago…

For the girl that has everything, why not go with one-of-a-kind, handmade goodies from Etsy?

For the record collector AND sweet toother (who, me?!)

If you have a suggestion you'd like to add, please leave me a comment! Happy shopping!! :-)

Come on, let's rock n roll with SHONEN KNIFE!

2011-11-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't bought the new Shonen Knife record yet, but I'm really excited to buy it in person tomorrow night at The Casbah!!!!!! They just released a Ramones tribute album titled OSAKA RAMONES, chock full of all The Ramones' best!!!! Yeahhh!!!!

Here's a medley of all the songs.... so cute!!!!

Poor Loretta :(

2011-10-23T10:38:00.001-07:00

According to US Weekly, the Queen of Country, Loretta Lynn, has been hospitalized with pneumonia. I hope her body stays strong and can fight this!! Let's all send positive vibes her way...

Oh yes it's ladies night ohhhh what a niiiiighttt

2011-10-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Song of the day: Johnny Reggae

2011-10-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to find much info on The Piglets! I'm assuming they were kind of like a one-hit wonder type group? It looks like they released two 7-inch singles and they were a group created by Jonathan King, who also worked with 10cc (!!!) and The Bay City Rollers. This song is super cute, take a listen!

I love when singles have different cover art in other countries!! (it just sucks because it makes you want to collect them all!!)

Um.... I NEED THIS 45!!!!!!!!

Josie Cotton appreciation post, music video edition

2011-10-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Video of the day

2011-10-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

I found this video by accident today and it's SO AMAZING. First of all, the host ladies are as cute as a mouse's ear!!! Secondly, a live interview with Lene Lovich AND Holly from Holly and the Italians?! SAY WHAT?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flip your wig!

2011-10-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting FOR-EV-ERRRRRRRR for someone to upload The Wigs onto Youtube. Hallelujah!!! This super fun band is from San Diego. I found this record in the Blue Meanie Records budget bin about 10+ years ago. I don't know anything about this band, only that they put out a 4-song 7-inch EP in 1980 and the singer, Cindy Bradley, apparently founded the San Pedro Ballet Company. I could be wrong, but the record may be on the same record label that put out The Standbys (another rad San Diego punk band) record (?) Photos by Marshall Astor

Who said girls can't rock?!

2011-10-11T17:35:00.001-07:00

The B Girls lived such a small band life, but were great nonetheless. They relocated to New York from Toronto, sang back ups for Blondie on the Autoamerican album, stirred up some buzz in music zines, recorded a handful of songs... only to release one 45 on Bomp! Records. I really think they could have been the east coast version of the Go-Go's!! The original lead singer quit right before they were about to open for The Clash. They have a pretty cool website, check it out here. A compilation of all their recordings was released a few years ago and you can buy it here. Some of the songs were even recorded by Debbie Harry!!

Check out this awesome rare footage of a Sid and Nancy interview... the girl on the far right is Cynthia from The B Girls and her then-boyfriend. Some guy named Stiv Bators...never heard of him... ;-)

Shonen Knife in San Diego

2011-10-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Shonen Knife is playing in San Diego on November 2nd with the amazing Shannon and the Clams and my band (Jungle Fever). More info here!

Oh, Honey!

2011-10-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Honey Lantree stuck out like a sore thumb as the drummer of a great 60's English pop group called The Honeycombs. They had a few hits in the mid-60's and disbanded in 1966. Their biggest hit was Have I The Right:

They also recorded a German version of this song :-)

Honey was working as an assistant in her friend's salon. He taught her how to play the drums and about 6 months into practicing, he asked her to join his band, The Sheratons (who would later be known as The Honeycombs). Honey also sang backups on a few songs with Dennis D'Ell (can't seem to find these songs on the internet to share!)

Throughout the band's success, there was controversy over her drumming, and if she had really played on the recordings. Writers accused the band of being gimmicky because they had an attractive girl drumming. I mean, they are totally right. It's downright ludicrous to think that a girl can be attractive and also play an instrument!!! (end of sarcasm) Anywho, her drum kit was custom made by Carlton Drums, thankyouverymuch!

Their 4th single was written by Ray Davies of The Kinks - but I'm not sure if this song was written for The Honeycombs first? I personally like The Kinks version better:

After the band broke up, she attempted to start an all-girl band, but wasn't able to find enough female musicians to play with.

RIP Sylvia

2011-09-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

I had NO IDEA that Sylvia Robinson, the awesome lady who co-sang one of my favorite oldies songs, Love is Strange (Mickey and Sylvia), was also considered the "Mother of Hip Hop" due to her involvement with Sugar Hill Records... she was the founder (!!!) and also produced Rapper's Delight and The Message!! I also didn't know she was the same Sylvia who did Pillow Talk. Sadly, she died of congestive heart failure on Thursday night. RIP girl!!

All right Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up!!!

2011-09-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

I guess this is kind of old news that I forgot to share. My friend gave me a heads up about this: ABC is doing a show about a 90's girl band (???) (!!!) Will it be good? Will it flop? Can I be an extra in it? Will I somehow be able to be friends with Juliana Hatfield? I think it would be cool if Matt Pinfield made some sort of guest appearance, yeah? Maybe even Kennedy? Am I the only one that liked Kennedy?! Discuss.

Before she was Poly Styrene

2011-09-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

Before she was known as the powerhouse that fronted X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene recorded a few reggae/pop demos on GTO Records under her real name, Mari Elliott. (GTO Records also released one of my favorite singles of all time!)

I recently purchased a reissue of this single on blue vinyl at Amoeba Records. Occasionally, the same record label who put out those Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen reissues has them on their eBay store, but it doesn't appear they have them for sale at the moment...

A Benefit Show For Christina Wagner

2011-09-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

If you live in San Diego and you read this blog, I urge you to attend a benefit show on October 22 at the Til Two Club. Click here to view the Facebook invite. My band was asked to play and we couldn't say YEAH DUH OF COURSE fast enough. It's to raise money for a local woman who recently was diagnosed with cancer. Her insurance changed during her second cycle of chemotherapy and it's so expensive, she wasn't to complete the second cycle of chemo. She's married with three adorable children. Please tell your friends! RAD bands are playing as well: The Widows, JOY and The Grids (and JF).

LP Cover Lover: Girl Groups

2011-09-13T16:30:00.001-07:00

If you're a fan of awesome (good awesome and bad awesome) record covers, you should check out LP Cover Lover. I really love their girl group category!!

Are you planning a bootleg LP...er...45?

2011-09-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

I discovered three really fun bootleg 45s sold by Jump Up Records in Chicago by Lily Allen and the late, great Amy Winehouse last week and just got them in the mail today!!! The eBay link for one of the records is here and you can find the other two on their "see other items" page. They're 11 bucks a piece, which is really steep for a single, but I'm assuming these are limited edition and aren't east to find in stores, especially in San Diego.

I'll do the dirty work for you :-)

Amy Winehouse - The Ska EP:
Side A: Monkey Man and Hey Little Rich Girl
Side B: You're Wondering Now and Cupid

Her band is really amazing...

I especially love this one!!

Amy Winehouse - Nelson Mandela:
Side A: Nelson Mandela
Side B: Rehab and Valerie

This is all sorts of genius... love the choir and a dancing Annie Lennox!! :-)

Lily Allen - The Ska EP:
Side A: Gangsters
Side B: Blank Expression

Oopth.

2011-09-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

I bought this 7-inch today not only because it's Sandie Shaw.... but because they spelled her name wrong on the front and back cover!!

Song of the day: Jardins da Babilonia by Rita Lee

2011-09-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

I was doing some research on Rita Lee (former member of Os Mutantes) and discovered her disco/glam 70's band called Tutti Frutti. They are amazing and I must find and buy all their records!! They are available on eBay, but I hate ordering records overseas :-\

Here's a solo Rita song. DUDE SHE IS SO RAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Q&A with Layla Cooper from the Wrong Words

2011-08-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

Layla Cooper is the bee's knees, ya'll. She's been in a handful of rad bands and is a kick ass drummer. Her latest band, The Wrong Words, just released a full-length self-titled LP on Trouble in Mind Records.

Kelly: Hi Layla!! What are some of your early musical influences and do you remember the first record you ever bought?

Layla: I remember exactly the very first records I bought. I grew up in Tucson, AZ and I was in the 7th grade when I read an article about riot grrrl in a magazine. I asked my mom to take me down to Toxic Ranch records (which is still there, by the way), where I bought my first purchases (on vinyl): Bikini Kill S/T, Jane's Addiction" XXX Live Album", and the Lemonheads "Hate Your Friends." Not long after I got really into surf and garage music and bought a 60s Gibson organ after becoming obsessed with the song "96 Tears." There was a very strong garage scene in the early/mid 90s in Tucson. Some of my favorite bands as a teen were the Drags, the Gories, Supercharger -- all bands with super cool ladies in them!

K: Are there record(s) in your collection that make people drool, if so, please fill me in.

L: I don't know how to answer this because I don't tend to buy records for their collectability. I certainly have been lucky to stumble upon some cool things over the years of digging through dusty record shops. Probably the most expensive record I ever bought was an original copy of the Milk n Cookies album that I bought on eBay. Back then it was a holy grail item for me ... I guess the original is still hard to find but I know you can get a copy on tape from Burger Records and a vinyl reissue as well. I also bought a cool Barracudas test pressing single at the Pasadena flea market years ago. I think I paid $10 for it and the guy who sold it to me said that it was from Rodney Bingenheimer's collection but who knows if that is true! So many things that used to be difficult to find have been reissued now ... I know that a lot of collector snobs like to complain about that, but at least the music is available to folks and the collectors can still feel superior with their OG white label promos and such. :) (Oh yeah another gem from my collection is my Lancelot Link and the Evolution Revolution album that a very sweet and dear friend of mine named Kelly sent me for my birthday one year!!!!) WHO... ME?!! ;-)

K: You have an insanely good taste in music. Can you let us know some "hidden jewel"-type bands/singers from the 60's/70's/80's that we may not know about?

L: Ha, I also don't know how how to answer this one either. In this plentiful age of music downloading and reissues I don't even know what still qualifies as a "hidden jewel." I recently read a great article about Carol Kaye, who was a session musician with the wrecking crew. She played bass on sooooooooo many famous recordings in the 60s and 70s. Most people probably have no idea that the same woman is behind the scenes on all those recordings, so I definitely consider her to be a "hidden jewel" in that respect.

K: How long have you played the drums and can you let us know all the bands you've played in?

L: Well when I first wanted to learn to play the drums when I was 10 and really into Motley Crue. My mom let me sign up for marching band in school and I wrote in my diary that I wanted to be "just like Tommy Lee," but I was too bored playing on a plastic practice pad and quit not long after starting. I actually learned how to play drums when I was 15 at my friend Seth's house. We had a whole slew of bands in our teenage years including the Shimmy Beckers and the Knock-Ups. We moved out to SF when we were 18 and re-formed the Knock-Ups with our friends Karen and Bryan who now play in the Suspicions in Seattle. Later I was in a powerpop band called the Close-Ups, then in Top Ten and White Music, which later sort of morphed into the Wrong Words. Also, this past year I filled in for some shows with Hunx and his Punkettes and got to play with Seth again which was really fun. I am currently cooking up some special projects with some of my awesome lady friends that I am really looking forward to!

K: Out of all the shows you've ever played, what's your most memorable show?

L: Wow, hard to say. I've been on a bit of a nostalgia kick lately, having fond memories of a show I played when I was 17 and living in Tucson with the Drags and the Rondelles from Albuquerque, NM. I think I booked my younger brother's band to open!

K: What are some of your favorite modern bands?

L: Wow, there are really too many to list! This year I have been really in love with the albums put out by Detroit bands Conspiracy of Owls and the Pizazz. We just played with an amazing band from France called the Gaz Gaz that blew my mind. I've also been discovering the Latin American music scene. I recently went to Mexico City with my buddy Allyson for a show our friends Los Infierno (a current band who just put out a great album) played with the 60s bands Los Saicos and Los Sleepers! I've been learning about some cool Latin American bands like ... Los Peyotes from Argentina, Os Haxixins from Brazil, and I got this cool comp from a friend called "Brutales Matanzas" that has a bunch of current Mexican punk bands and a few from Peru. I'm going to Turkey and Italy in about a month, so I can't wait to see what kind of tunes I come back from that trip with! ***(To Layla from Kelly!!) When you go to Turkey, try to find records from a singer named Selda. My boyfriend turned me on to her music. She's amazing!! Sample one of her songs here.

K: OK, let's talk about The Wrong Words. Who are the other members, how did you meet them? Are they in other bands?

L: Josh Miller and I met when I joined White Music back in 2008. A couple of of Wrong Words songs were actually written by Josh back when we were in White Music together. After White Music broke up Josh and I were commiserating at the Attic one night. Our friend Ajax showed up and suggested that the three of us try playing together and the rest is history! Ajax is the front-man for a crazy Spinal Tap-style metal band called Thunderbleed and Josh plays in so many other bands around here ... Sir Lord Von Raven, the Greg Ashley Band, sometimes with Bart Davenport and Farmer Dave, and probably some other things I am forgetting.

K: The Wrong Words have been compared to The Quick, Nick Lowe, The Barracudas, etc... how would you describe your sound and what bands influenced your sound for this band?

L: All three of us have pretty different tastes in music, but there are definitely some common denominators that we can agree on. We all share an appreciation for not-too-perfect pop songs. I can tell you one thing we all don't agree on and that's the Replacements. Ajax thinks he doesn't like them but I'll be damned if I didn't see him dancing to "I Will Dare" when the Daed Pizza djs played it at our show in Brooklyn the other week.

K: Is the new album on Trouble in Mind Records your only release? Do you have plans for future releases, 45s, LPs, cassettes?

L: We have released a single and an LP on TiM as well as a song on TiMs 2011 Record Store Day 2011 7". I guess we're kind of "going steady" with Bill and Lisa. We're working on some new material right now, but I can't say for certain what the future holds for the Wrong Words!

K: Do you have any shows/tours coming up?

L: Yes! We are coming to LA over Labor Day weekend (THIS VERY weekend) to play some shows with our friends the White Wires and the Mean Jeans. You can see all the info here.

If you could drum for any band, old or new, what band would it be?

Ha, you know, I'm so bad at picking ONE of anything. I never can claim a favorite anything. What if I had been the drummer for ... The Pleasure Seekers?! Or Rockpile?! Or ... GG and the Jabbers?! It would be pretty funny if I got a call from Terry Adams to play in his version of NRBQ!

K: This isn't music-related, but you're a fellow foodie like me and inquiring minds want to know!! What is, hands-down, the best place to eat (savory) in the SF area?

L: Ha, well see my comment above! I can't say what the BEST place to eat is in SF, but I can say that my dying meal would probably be from Swan's Oyster Depot on Polk Street. I would order a dozen oysters, crab cocktail with sauce on the side, a cup of clam chowder and a pint of Anchor Steam beer. Actually, a lot of my favorite eating spots are in LA. I can't wait to go there this Thursday and eat with all my pals down there who I miss a ton!

K: What's the best dessert place in SF?

I don't know but I can tell you that the salted caramel pudding from Flora in Oakland regularly makes appearances in my dreams!

Check out this amazing flyer archive that Layla's friend, Jason Willis, put together of old band flyers - some of her early band's flyers are in here!!

This video is out of control CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

Early Jackie DeShannon!!

2011-08-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

Check out this amazing Jackie Dee (AKA Jackie DeShannon) track from the late 1950's - sounds just like Wanda Jackson!!

Song of the day: White Levis by the Majorettes

2011-08-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

It's always hard to find 60's girl groups records, much less ones with picture sleeves, but I totally scored today and found a girl group 45 by the amazing Majorettes!! The A-Side is White Levi's:

The B-Side is Please Come Back:

The Majorettes also did an ADORABLE song that was featured on one of the Girls in the Garage comps. You have to click here right now to listen. Probably one of the cutest songs of all time!!

Ricki Page was in the Majorettes along with her daughters (Sheila, Joanna and Rebecca). Not only that, but she was in a handful of other groups, too! June and Joy, The Page Sisters, The Bermudas (who are amazing, I blogged about them a while back), Becky and the Lollypops.... she was also a session/studio singer and worked with Darlene Love and the Righteous Brothers (!!!)

Read a really interesting and informative interview with her here.

New arrival bin

2011-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

DEAD MOON are re-releasing their 2nd LP from 1989 and 3rd LP from 1990, remastered from the original tapes. On vinyl!!!

Patti Smith's "best of-ish" 2-LP compilation called Outside Society will be released in a few weeks. The picture on the cover is pretty cool.

Odyshape by Raincoats will be reissued on vinyl next month.

Jill Scott's new album, The Light of the Sun, is available on vinyl.

Ella Washington's self-titled album, released in the late 60's, has been reissued on CD. This lady can sing her butt off:

Kent Records released a 45 EP last week called The Stars of Mirwood. One of the songs is a girl group called The Mirettes, who are siiiiick. This is the song on the 45:

...but this song is effing amazing, sounds like Marva Whitney/Lyn Collins/Betty Wright... damn giiirrrllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's a new northern soul comp CD floating around, featuring Betty Everett, Linda Jones, Gwen Davis, Beverly Shaffer.

A collection of songs by 30's/40's actress/singer Gracie Fields has been reissued onto CD.

Connie & Clyde: Connie Francis sings songs from the 30's (but recorded this in 1968).

Sun Records released another compilation. While there weren't that many female singers on Sun, this compilation features some songs by The Miller Sisters, Barbara Pittman, The Kirby Sisters, Anita Wood, Barbara Pittman and Maggie Sue Wimberly.

The new Wild Flag album comes out next month!!

The new Dum Dum Girls album comes out next month, too.

Rare Andrews Sisters songs has been reissued onto CD.

Every girl wants to be Chico's girl!!

2011-08-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Chico's Girl challenge: WHO SANG IT BETTER?

The Crystals??

Susan Barrett?? (the intro of this song and guitars/sound effects throughout this version R-U-L-E!!)

BERNADETTE PETERS?!?! (embedding has been disabled, but you gotta hear her totally 80's version...)

...and the winner is :::drum roll::: THE GIRLS!!! ::crowd cheering::

Bernadette Carroll: an introduction

2011-08-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

Before going solo, Jersey girl Bernadette Carroll joined a girl group in the late 50’s called The Starlets. They released a song called P.S. I Love You on Astro Records:

After the group broke up, Bernadette went solo. Her first single was a song called My Heart Stood Still:

This is her second single, Party Girl. I love this track!

She was hired to be a back-up singer for tons of popular artists (Connie Francis and Patty Duke to name a few). In the late 60’s, she became the singer of The Angels, but only for a year (below picture is Bernadette with The Angels):

Al Pacino and Helen Mirren set to star in movie about Phil Spector

2011-08-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

Read all about it HERE.

¡Me gusta CHICAS!

2011-08-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Vampi Soul has done it yet again. They just released a beautiful double LP compilation titled ¡Chicas! Spanish Female Singers 1962-1974. I spotted this thing a mile away at Amoeba Records this weekend. The cover is KILLER, it's a gatefold cover with really nice printed inner sleeves. They really went all out to make this release top notch. Their website describes this album as "an irresistible collection of ye-yé, rock & roll, twist, beat, garage, rhythm & blues, soul and Latin sounds!" and most of the tracks on this comp have been reissued legally for the first time. ¡Chicas! is available on CD as well, but you gotta buy the vinyl. Actually, I will not allow you to buy the CD. You're only allowed to buy it on vinyl. Ok? Ok. Buy it here.

Here are some songs available on the comp... you're gonna love the top video, too adorbs!! :-)

Yvonne & Yvette

2011-08-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of all things weird, kitschy and unusual, so I was pleasantly surprised by my most recent 7-inch score: a 4-song EP by Yvonne & Yvette, the Siamese Twins on Norton Records:

The back of the record has an in-depth bio of the ladies and their story is fascinating. Immediately after they were born, the circus came knocking and they wanted the girls to be part of a sideshow act. They grew up in the circus, as it was their only way of making money. As they got older, they were managed by Linda Hopkins and recorded some gospel songs. Later in life, the girls enrolled in college to pursue a nursing degree, but sadly died before they were able to become nurses. Hear samples of the songs here and buy the record here.

RIP girl

2011-07-23T09:55:00.001-07:00

Gone way, way too soon...

What's cookin'

2011-07-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

If you like old ska, rocksteady, soul and singers like Phyllis Dillon, Susan Cadogan, Dawn Penn, chances are you're gonna love Hollie Cook. Her voice is sweeter than pie. She has a full length album out produced by Prince Fatty on Mr. Bongo Records as well as a 7-inch single. Hollie's father was Sex Pistols' drummer Paul Cook and she also recently was performing with The Slits. The music and production of the songs is stellar, a perfect combination of an old and new sound meshed perfectly together. Her talent will most-likely be overlooked in America, but I can totally see her being a huge star in Europe (if she's not already). You can listen to the entire album for free here and buy the LP here.

If you like Hollie's music, you might also want to read this , this and maybe even this!

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Here's an amazing version of Walking in the Sand:

Pre-sale now available for new Jungle Fever 7"

2011-07-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm soooo so so excited that my band's 2nd 7-inch single is almost out on an Italian label called Surfin'Ki Records!! The pressing is really limited (only 300) so if you're interested, buy it sooner than later. Click this link to purchase.

A few weeks ago we finished recording a handful of songs, so hopefully more records will come out this year (fingers, toes, eyes, etc. crossed).

Here's one of our new songs, CHARLIE DON'T SURF!! (No, not a Clash cover!!)

CHARLIE DON'T SURF by junglefevertheband

Catch a Wave

2011-07-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

A while back, the store I work at bought an unusual and large record collection. I saw the record pictured above and was intrigued: is this a girl group or another record cover with girls just featured on the cover... I put it on and was blown away by what I heard. The most amazing Beatles cover in history. Take a listen:

So who are The Third Wave?? These Filipino sisters from California were discovered by George Duke, who recorded their debut LP in Germany in 1970 for the MPS record label (known as the Blue Notes records of Germany). Their sound mixes beautiful harmonies with jazz, bossa nova and "sunshine pop". The music and vocals are gorgeous. If you like Free Design, you will LOVE LOVE LOVE The Third Wave!!

Rad band alert: Chains of Love

2011-07-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Ryan gave me a heads up about a new band from Vancouver called Chains of Love. They are good... I mean really, really good. I don't really know that much about this band, so if you have more info I can post up here, please email me kellyfeverxo (at) gmail (dot) com. Photo credit: Kate Williams

You Got It totally nails the Phil Spector Wall of Sound:

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://chainsoflove.bandcamp.com/track/you-got-it"&amp;amp;amp;gt;You Got It by Chains Of Love&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Breaking My Heart could've been on the very first Ronettes album on Colpix, the singer even has the Ronnie-esque squeal from this song down to a tee:

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://chainsoflove.bandcamp.com/track/breaking-my-heart"&amp;amp;amp;gt;Breaking My Heart by Chains Of Love&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

All the Time is a little more raw, kinda reminds me of The Detroit Cobras...

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://chainsoflove.bandcamp.com/track/all-the-time"&amp;amp;amp;gt;All The Time by Chains Of Love&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

John Waters' women

2011-07-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge John Waters fan and, like everyone else, I love all the characters in his movies. Everyone knows Debbie Harry (Hairspray) was in Blondie, but did you know Divine had a moderately successful disco/dance career? Did you know Edith Massey recorded a punk anthem released on a super rare picture disc 7-inch single?

There are a chock full of female recording artists in Hairspray, probably the most well-known was Blondie's Debbie Harry. But did you know Pia Zadora, the beatnik lady who wanted to get naked and smoke, recorded 8 albums? Colleen Fitzpatrick, who played the snotty Amber Von Tussle, had a big hit in the 1990's under the stage name Vitamin C. The movie also featured the amazing OG rock n roller Ruth Brown as Maybelle Motormouth!!

While I know this blog is specifically dedicated to female singers, I still have to mention Tab Hunter and Stiv Bators were in one of my all-time favorite Waters films, Polyester. Tab also recorded the Polyester theme song with Debbie Harry. Oh! And Toussaint McCall was in Hairspray... so was Ric Ocasek and Sonny Bono!!!!!!

Rachel Sweet was the voice behind Allison Vernon-Williams in Cry Baby. Traci Lords recorded a handful of dance singles in the 90's. Iggy Pop was also in this movie, but he needs no introduction... Patty Hearst never recorded any music, but there are plenty of songs written about her, which is pretty cool. I freaking LOVE this Rachel Sweet song:

L7 was in Serial Mom as Camel Lips:

...and I think that covers it. Am I missing anybody? If so, let me know!!

Strawberry Switchblade forever

2011-07-10T12:33:00.001-07:00

About 10 years ago I worked with a guy who was really into gothic and industrial music. In fact, one time he showed up to work in full gothic make-up, trying to emulate that dude from The Crow movie, but it looked more like Courtney Love's make-up after a weekend bender. Most of the music he liked wasn't really my cup of tea, but he did get me into one band that I instantly fell in love with: Strawberry Switchblade. I love the way they dress, like gothic Harajuku princess brides and their music is super fun, melodic pop with dual vocals (Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall). They only released one proper album and several singles. I don't know what Jill Bryson did after the band split up, but Rose went on to record solo material and had other side projects: Spell (with Boyd Rice) and Sorrow in the mid 1990's.

Introducing Mrs. Miller

2011-07-09T15:54:00.001-07:00

Everything you could possibly want to know about Mrs. Miller is here. Her records aren't easy to find, I myself only have a greatest hits LP, but would love to get my hands on all her LPs. If you like The Shaggs, you will love Mrs. Miller. It's weird, cute, kitschy and of course charming. If all grandmas were this cool...

The Go-Go's turn 30

2011-07-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Record snobs, listen up! The Go-Go's re-issued their debut LP on limited edition PINK VINYL for their 30th anniversary. The CD version is a 2-CD set featuring a 17-song live show from 1981!! So rad. Buy the LP here.

(DON'T) hang the DJ

2011-07-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

I did it. I finally did it. I did that annoying move where when you're at a bar and a rad song is playing, you flag down the DJ and ask him who it is, ask them to physically show you the record and also tried to start a conversation about the band. I couldn't help it!! It was a girl singer... I'll just consider it research for my little bloggy.

Animals & Men.

They named themselves after an Adam and the Ants song, so I already am intrigued. Read all about them here. They recently recorded a new album. If you're a fan of female-fronted post punk, you'll definitely like this band...

I'll tumblr for ya

2011-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, I've decided to start an Underground Girls tumblr. I literally don't know how to use it at all, so bare with me... I'm an old lady, ya know? Follow me here!

Go, Jo Ann, Go!

2011-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

Over the years I've collected singles from Jo Ann Campbell and recently struck gold with this awesome record (pictured above). She started recording in the late 50's, but most of her success happened in the early 60's, specifically with Motorcycle Michael. Ummm just a heads up, hold onto your wig 'cuz it's about to flip when you listen to it below!!

Here's another song featured on the Miss Reet Petite compilation: I really love the dual female/male vocals on this track!!

Jo Ann was a dancer-turned-singer-turned actress and was featured in a few movies, including 1962's Hey, Let's Twist, see ultra cute clip below!!

Check out her super cute/cool record covers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jungle Fever does The Eyes

2011-05-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

I don't like to post too much about my band, but I'm making the exception because we just finished mixing our new album last night and it sounds amazing!! I wanted to share a sneak peak with you guys!! I figured ya'll might dig it because if you're reading this blog you probably like girl singers and, well, I'm a girl singer. We did a cover of The Eyes Don't Talk To Me. If you aren't familiar with this band, they were one of Charlotte Caffey's (The Go-Go's) first bands. I've always loved this song and Charlotte is a big musical influence of mine. You can listen to the original version of the song here. Now, how do I get a copy of this over to Charlotte for her stamp of approval?! Hmmm...

Dont talk to me by junglefevertheband

New arrival bin

2011-05-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

SUPER adorbs dreamy 60's singer Ginny Arnell's debut album was reissued earlier this month. Her songs are soooo cute. You can sample them here and buy the CD here. I totally want this for my birthday. Anyone? Anyone?

Liz Damon's Orient Express self-titled album will be released next month including 5 bonus tracks. Great late 60's/early 70's lounge/jazz/soul. Kind of reminds me of Free Design... sample her stuff here and buy the CD here. I especially like the song 1900 Yesterday and ummm just listen to this. You will die!!!

Billie Davis is a super groovy lady and her singles CD was released earlier this month. Oh, she just so happens to be ADORABLE, too.

Texas 60's girl groups? YEAH!!!

One of my favorites... check out this Shirelles 2-CD import - contains 50 songs, released last month.

A re-issue of The Avengers self-titled album will be available in late June.

Jill Scott's new album is available for pre-order, to be released in late June.

Oh yesss... Candi Staton's Complete Fame Records Masters 2-CD import, early June. Soooo good...

Last but not least, a friend of mine alerted me to this. A SHAGGS MUSICAL IN NEW YORK. WHAT!!!!

Mmm... mmm... Goodees

2011-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

I can honestly say that some of the hardest records to find are 60's girl groups full length LPs. I wonder why that is? I'm thinking maybe they weren't as mass-produced and/or as popular as the boy bands of the era. Sometimes you can get your hands on the 45's (good luck trying to find them with picture sleeves!) Years ago I was able to get my hands on The Goodees LP - still sealed. Total score!!!!!!

The Goodees were a girl group from Memphis and had one minor hit song, Condition Red. This album features a really cute version of Double Shot (of my baby's love). They were signed to HIP Records (aka Stax Records) after they won a local talent contest. Last year, Ace Records released a Goodees compilation that features the entire album pictured above, some singles that weren't included on this album, B-sides and several unreleased tracks.

Condition Red is kind of Shangri-Las meets northern soul... so good!!

I love their version of Double Shot!!

This song was released as a single and was co-written/produced by Isaac Hayes!!

Before they were stars

2011-04-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

...because we all have to get our start somewhere, right?

Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)
Ohio-born Hynde moved to Europe in the mid 70's and joined several bands before she struck gold the The Pretenders. She sang in a band called The Frenchies, played guitar in a band called Masters of the Backside (later known as The Damned) (!!!), joined the Johnny Moped Band and right before the formation of The Pretenders, played guitar in The Moors Murderers.

Debbie Harry (Blondie)
I just found out she used to be a waitress at Dunkin' Donuts... this is my kinda gal. She also used to be a Playboy Bunny. In the 60's she sang in a folk pop band called Wind in the Willows - it took me YEARS to find a copy of their record! Click that link to hear them and see the cover, you'll see a pre-blond Deb! Right before Blondie formed, her and Chris (Stein) (Blondie's guitarist/Debbie's boyfriend), started a female-fronted group called The Stilettos. Debbie and Chris then formed BLONDIE. Thank goodness! Blondie's 2-CD compilation Platinum Collection has some amazing early Blondie songs that never made it to vinyl... such a shame because they are GREAT songs:

Suzi Quatro
Before she became the most badass woman of ALL TIME, she played bass in a rad all-girl band in the 60's called The Pleasure Seekers with her sister Patti (who went on to form Fanny). Pssst! Check out the latest Ugly Things for a really interesting Pleasure Seekers article.

Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go's)
Before she joined one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Charlotte played bass in LA punk band The Eyes. She sang on the song below... soooo rad...

Annie Lennox (Eurythmics)
A few years before the Euythmics formed, Annie sang in a poppy new wave band called The Tourists. They released a few albums, but I don't think they had much mainstream success in America...

Carole King
I consider Carole one of the greatest female songwriters of all-time. She recorded a few cute pop songs in the 60's before she really made it big as a solo artist in the 70's... I LOVE this song!!!

Tammy Terrell
Before this gorgeous lady was singing duets with Marvin Gaye, she was known as Tammy Montgomery and singing alongside James Brown... no biggie. This track is hellaaaa rare on vinyl, but if you can find it: BUY IT. AND PLAY IT. A LOT.

RIP Poly Styrene

2011-04-26T05:14:00.001-07:00

Another one... gone. Read about it here. :-(

Get well soon, Exene!!

2011-04-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Exene just posted this on X's Facebook page.

as you probably know by now, i was diagnosed with ms. i have been doing relatively well. i thought i could handle sxsw in austin, and a short solo tour. however, i got sick in austin during sx, it is a hard event even under the best of circumstances. it didn't seem that hot to me, but heat is very bad for those of us with ms. i started feeling bad almost as soon as i started playing on wednesday and by sunday night, i had a terrible headache and couldn't get out of bed. i didn't feel any better by wednesday so i called my neurologist and got a prescription for steroids. i started to improve a little and thought i'd be okay to start my southwest southeast tour on the following friday. in retrospect, i should have called off the tour then and there. but i didn't want to cancel. kevin seconds, who was on the tour with me, met me in austin, and we played our first show. but i wasn't getting better.in knoxville tn, a week later, i was fatigued and having a hard time functioning. when i took the stage that night, i was surprised to discover that my right hand and arm were not responding to my commands, and i couldn't play guitar. i apologized to the audience, talked alot, and sang acapella. because i had driven ten hours from new orleans, i hoped it was just fatigue from gripping the steering wheel so long. but i knew the tour was over. the next morning, after i called my booking agent and gave her the news, i sat down with kevin seconds and explained to him that i was too sick to continue, and would only be going as far as memphis. i apologized. my friend flew into memphis and drove me home, where i am now. i wouldn't have made it as far as i did without the help of my friends and the kindness of fans strangers along the way. i am not an invincible road warrior anymore. the easiest part of touring is the hour on stage. the driving and staying with friends and finding hotels and advancing the shows and hauling around merch and guitars is the hard part. i've never cancelled a tour before but it is more important for me to regain my health than continue. i never know when my ms will strike, and this was certainly bad timing for an attack. my apologies to the clubs, the fans, my label, and mr. seconds for this unfortunate event. ~Exene~

:-(

I hope she gets well soon is able to go back on tour soon in support of her new solo album! Please send posi vibes her way, ya'll!!

Wild Flag starts recording today!

2011-04-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

All-girl super group Wild Flag posted on their Facebook page today that they are recording this weekend for their September 2011 Merge Records debut album. Most notably, Wild Flag features two members of Sleater-Kinney, but also features ex-members of Helium, The Minders, Croissant Cocktail, Feeble Knees, Quasi, Dogz, @@@, The Consortium, Asia and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (to name a few...)

You HAVE to watch their live version of Patti Smith's Ask the Angels, it's sooooo unbelievably rad:

A shout out to the ladies of Record Store Day

2011-04-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

When Record Store Day started a few years ago, I was really excited. It's now turned into a bunch of greedy people who don't really care about the music or bands, but just want to buy all the records only to immediately sell them on eBay. LAME. For all the people who are actually excited about record store day because of some of the cool limited edition releases, I decided to give a shout out to the ladies of Record Store Day. Of course this list is SMALL, but here goes...

Adele - Rolling in the Deep 10"
Beth Ditto - Details EP
Charlotte Gainsbourg - 7"
Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity LP
Deerhoof/Xiu Xiu split 7"
Jenny & Johnny /Gram Parsons featuring Emmylou Harris split 7" (colored vinyl)
Joan Jett - I Love Rock n Roll reissue LP
John Doe & Jill Sobule - A Day at the Pass CD
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love collectors edition 10"
Lady Gaga - Born this Way (picture disc)
Matt & Kim - Block After Block 7"
Os Mutantes - Everything is Possible LP
Regina Spektor - Four From Far LP
Sonic Youth - Whore's Moaning LP
The White Stripes - Lafayette Blues (7" - ???)
The White Stripes - Let's Shake Hands (7" - ???)
Kill Rock Stars comp LP
Vivian Girls - I Heard You Say 7"
Wild Flag - Future Crimes 7"

Get with the program: Two Tears

2011-04-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

My band recently got back from the F&%$ SXSW Windian Records Showcase in Washington DC. We played with a bunch of awesome bands, but the band that blew me away was Two Tears from New York. Their sound is a mix of raw rock n roll, blues and punk with Kathleen Hanna-type howls. Front woman Kerry Davis (Red Aunts, Beehive and the Barracudas) is so tough, she could rip you a new a-hole and so cool, you wanna be just like her. Their 7-inch on Windian Records is sold out, but they've got a few other records out and they're playing in Europe soon. Check them out here, here and here.

Vvotee fforr MMOSS

2011-03-06T09:10:00.001-08:00

Voting ends March 17, so you only have a few more weeks left! Vote for MMOSS here. You don't have to sign up for anything, just scroll down to #4, click the button next to MMOSS and you're done.

MMOSS are a rad band from New Hampshire. Their combination of 60's psych and garage with heavy organ and flute, topped off with droney girl/guy harmonies add a really unique touch to their sound. You can find them on Facebook, Tumblr and Bandcamp. Their debut cassette and new LP on Burger Records can be purchased here and the first 100 pre-sale copies of their LP are on brown vinyl!

MMOSS - "Thyme" (Live at Middle East Upstairs) from Foundwaves on Vimeo.

MMOSS - "Kittysorrow" (Live at Middle East Upstairs) from Foundwaves on Vimeo.

The Wrong Words

2011-03-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Layla drums for a rad band in San Francisco called The Wrong Words (you should probably click on that link and "like" it immediately!!) A lil' punk 'n' a lil' powerpop... the perf combination. Their self-titled debut LP will be released on Chicago's Trouble in Mind Records later this month. They're playing at this year's SXSW so go see 'em if you're there!!!

The upcoming Garbo's Daughter 7-inch is UH-MAZE-ING

2011-03-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

I know I talk about Garbo's Daughter all the time... but they seriously are so good and cute and fun, it's hard to not talk about them. Mandy (lead singer and guitarist) is an amazing songwriter and channels all the songwriting greats (Carole King, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector, etc) in every one of her songs. I urge everyone to listen to this, like, now, OK?!?! This record will be released on the rad Surfin'Ki Records really soon. AND they are going on tour soon, too! CAN'T WAIT!!! Buy it here.

RIP Dorothy Jones

2011-03-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late in finding this out, but Dorothy Jones from The Cookies passed away in December. The Cookies were a great 50's/60's girl group. Some members were also in The Raelettes who sang back up for Ray Charles (they also sang and recorded back ups for LaVern Baker, Ruth Brown, Little Eva and Carole King as well as early Neil Sedaka and Tony Orlando songs). The Cookies made their debut by entering an amateur night at The Apollo theater and won! They released a handful of 45's and LPs and eventually broke up in 1967. Below are their two biggest hits:

If U Seek Yma

2011-02-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Before Mariah, Whitney and Aretha, there was Yma. Her vocal range was over 4 octaves and some sources say at times it was 5 octaves. I don't just like Yma Sumac because of her voice... it's the whole package. Think of her kind of like a Christmas gift exchange: you want to pick the gift that's in the fanciest wrapper and when you're browsing through, the mysteriousness and excitement overpowers you until you pick out the perfect gift!

Let's start out with the Yma aesthetics. As a record collector, our eyes automatically go to the most intriguing record covers. Sometimes the covers are simple, some are complicated, some are beautiful and some are just plain bizarre. Take for instance Arthur Lyman's or Martin Denny's album covers. You're taking a chance since you probably haven't necessarily heard their records, but you can just assume from the cover alone, the musical outcome will be awesome... kind of like after years of desperately wanting it, I finally own a copy of Arthur Lyman's Taboo Vol. 2... I haven't even listened to it yet, but had to own it just for the cover alone:

When I listen to her voice, it's as if I'm stuck in a musical purgatory. While her over-the-top voice is eerie and haunting, at the same time it's operatic, unusual and beautiful. The background music is "OFF THE HOOOOOOOOOK":

There was always a mystery surrounding Yma. Who was she, where was she from? Legend had it that she was a housewife that lived in New York whose real name was Amy Camus (Yma Sumac backwards). Some sources say she was born in the early 20's while other sources say she was born in the later 20's. Some stories said she was a real Incan Princess. Whoever she was, she was nothing short of amazing.

She released several albums during the 50's and 60's. Most of her albums have been reissued. In the early 70's, she released a rock album called Miracles. I've never heard this album, as I imagine it's pretty rare, but I've heard it's NOT a fan favorite. The album cover is below as well as one song off the album. It doesn't sound that bad, just strange funk!!

Who's that girl? An introduction to Robyn

2011-02-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

We all have guilty pleasures. Mine is really well-done, modern day pop music. While most pop music is total and utter horseshit, the few songs that are good, are really good.

A few years ago I convinced my fellow music snob friend to give Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone a chance. She flat out refused to give one note a listen. I literally had to force her to listen to the song. When she finally gave in and let me play it for her, she fell in love. Lyrically, musically, vocally... this is the perfect pop song. Every woman on the planet can identify with the song. Hell, even Ted Leo loved it.

Why then is Robyn not as popular in America?

Last year I started noticing the Swedish singer's name pop up all over reputable music-related websites in response to her latest album, Body Talk. I recognized the name because her first single was really popular in 1997 when I was a senior in high school and... well... I love 90's music (even the not-so-good stuff just because it reminds me of being a teenager). Flash-forward to about 6 months ago when a girl who is practically half my age got hired at my work. She brought in a bunch of her CD's to listen to and while I rifled through her collection consisting of Justin Bieber and a shitload of other singers that I've never heard of, I stumbled upon Body Talk. I asked her if I could borrow it... and I fell in love.

Body Talk is a 3-part album, but there was also a Best of Body Talk that came out after all 3 albums were released. Her voice seriously reminds me of Kate Bush, specifically in the chorus of Dancing on My Own (and especially at the 2:20 mark) and the chorus of Dancehall Queen:

Body Talk Pt. 1 features a beautiful acoustic version of Hang With Me and Body Talk Pt 2, features the dance version. I love them both:

I decided to do some more research on her previous albums and have totally fallen in love with Robyn's songs. They're so catchy and good!! You MUST watch this video for Konichiwa Bitches. It's a GREAT song that reminds me of JJ Fad and ESG with an equally GREAT video. Unfortunately the "explicit" version won't let me embed the video, so you can watch it here or you can watch the bitch-free version here:

We can all agree that Myspace sucks, but did you know you can listen to almost any album you can possibly think of for free and virtually commercial free? Well, I decided to start listening to some other Robyn albums and can't stop listening her self-titled album that was released a few years before Body Talk. Here are some other great tracks off the self-titled album:

(here's the same song live on Letterman):

She's currently on tour, but not playing anywhere close to the west coast. She's also going to tour with Katy Perry this summer, but again, not joining her on her west coast dates. What the hell, Robyn? So.... WHERE MY GAYS AT? Looks like we need to take a road trip this summer...

Women who rock

2011-02-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum has a "Women Who Rock" exhibit from May 13, 2011 through February 26, 2012. Check out the details here. The exhibit is interactive and features more than 60 artists. It fills two entire floors of the museum!!! Looks like I need to book my flight to Cleveland soon...

Know your chicken: Meet Cibo Matto

2011-01-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, I should start off by saying I only own one record of theirs (pictured above), Viva! La Woman, which was released in 1996. I remember when I first heard this album, it was a sound and style I wasn't used to... and I fell in love. This album is all over the place... some of their songs have an almost ethereal vibe (like the song Sugar Water), while others are really chaotic. Cibo Matto is a hip hop/trip hop/jazz/disco/samples/loops explosion, led by two eclectic female Japanese singers (who could give even Yoko Ono a run for her money) and accompanied by Sean Lennon. Beef jerky, sugar water, chicken, ice cream, birthday cake... they talk about food a lot. In fact Cibo Matto means "crazy food" in Italian... these are my kinda girls.

In total, the band released 2 albums, 2 EPs and several 45s. The singers were also in Butter 08, who are really amazing!

Extra sugar, extra salt,extra oil and MSG... Shut up and eat! You know my love is sweet!!! Check out the album version of Birthday Cake and the original version. SO RAD.

Here's a cool live version of Know Your Chicken:

RIP Gladys Horton

2011-01-28T05:26:00.000-08:00

Gladys Horton, lead singer of one of my favorite 60's girl groups, The Marvelettes, died on January 26, 2011. RIP girl, your voice will be greatly missed, but your legacy and influence will live on and inspire me and a million others forever.

The Bangs!!!

2011-01-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

I "settled" for the reissue of this Bangs record for several years. This record, even the reissue of it, is really hard to find. However, I finally got my hands on the original Bangles debut 45 today!!!!

The reissue looks like this:

Kind of boring, right?

The original looks like this:

This record was released on their own label, Downkiddie Records, in 1981. The group was forced to change their name from The Bangs to Bangles due to legal issues.

A Side: Getting Out of Hand

B Side: Call on Me

Song of the day: California Surfer

2011-01-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

I bought a surf comp today with this song on it... so cute!

New band alert: The Lumps

2011-01-21T16:23:00.000-08:00

SD's Miss Liss Piss has a new band called The Lumps. If you like that late 70's/early 80's KBD punk sound, you'll dig this band a lot. Check 'em out:

Cool website!!

2011-01-16T14:27:00.001-08:00

I stumbled upon this amazing website while doing some research on a Little Peggy March LP my co-worker gave me today where she sings all the songs in Italian!

The party aint over!!

2011-01-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

Wanda Jackson has a lot going on in the next few weeks/months. Her website is fully updated with all sorts of exciting information. Several of her concerts are already sold out, however if you're unable to see her perform live, you can catch her on The Late Show with David Letterman January 20th and on Conan's show January 25th.

Jan 15 — Nashville, TN @ Grand Ole Opry
Jan 21 — Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Hall Of Music (sold out)
Jan 23 — Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre (sold out)
Jan 24 — Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Feb 22 — Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
Feb 23 — Boston, MA @ Royale
Feb 24 — New York, New York @ The Bowery Ballroom
Feb 25 — Washington DC @ 9.30 Club
Feb 26 — Dallas, TX @ The Kessler

A 7-inch single of her Amy Winehouse You Know I'm No Good cover is available here. Listen to the song below:

Here are some songs from her upcoming album:

A few years ago she released a tribute LP to Elvis. I'm sure it's pretty rad, but it's 30 bucks. Eep! If you're interested, you can buy it here.

Song of the day: Southern Girls

2011-01-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, ok, ok, I know this blog is dedicated to girls in music... but today's Song of the Day is ABOUT girls, so it's close enough, a'ight? I've been obsessed with Cheap Trick lately. They are so fucking cool... bands like this just don't exist anymore. Sniffle sniffle...

New arrival bin

2011-01-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

WANDA JACKSON'S NEW ALBUM, The Party Aint Over, drops at the end of this month on CD and vinyl!! I'm sooooo excited for this one!

The 4-LP Kleenex/Lilliput boxset is up for pre-sale here. It's scheduled to be released in mid-February. The first 50 pre-orders come with a free Kleenex LiLiPUT button and the first 100 pre-orders come with a free Kleenex LiLiPUT promo poster. I'm assuming this is going to be limited edition, so order now!!

THIS should be RAD! Joanie Sommers Complete Warner Bros Singles will be released late next month. If you're not familiar with her, check out the little blurb I did a few months ago.

Funky Frauleins Vol 2 - late 60's, 70's and some 80's German ladies doin' funk, jazz and disco!

Coming in February, Come and Get Me: The Complete Liberty and Imperial Singles Volume 2. A rad Jackie DeShannon compilation CD!

If you like Nico, you may like Bridget St. John. A reissue of her 1969 debut LP will be released later this month.

So he's a murderer... but he's still my (musical) hero. Is that bad? Pre-order Wall of Sound: The Best of Phil Spector here.

Set to be released in a few days, a 3-LP Best of ESG comp!

I couldn't find that much information about this, but in March of this year there will be an 11-CD box set of Aretha Franklin's complete Columbia Records recordings. Whoa.

This looks amazing! I think most people are only familiar with Kiki Dee's 70's career, specifically her duet with Elton John (Don't Go Breaking My Heart) - but don't realize she had a singing career in the early to late 60's. I'm Kiki Dee: The Fontana Years 1963-1968 will be released in early February. Fun, groovy 60's pop! (check it out below)

Song of the day: Hey Boy, Hey Girl

2011-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

I LOVE THIS SONG!!! Hey Boy, Hey Girl by Oscar McLollie and Jeanette Baker (pictured above). Such a great rock'n'roll/R&B duo!! I discovered this song on a rare compilation LP called Huggie Boy's Rare R&B Oldies Vol. II on Dub-Tone Records (pictured above). I know there are several other volumes floating around that I'd love to find one day. In the meantime, I found some Huggy/Huggie compilations available through Amazon.

Meet Millie and Dolly Good

2011-01-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

Millie and Dolly Good, also known as The Girls of the Golden West, were one (or I guess I should say two) of a very few female country artists of their time. When they first started out, it was suggested they were born and raised in Muleshoe, Texas, but they actually were from Illinois. They started recording in the early 1930's for Bluebird Records. Throughout the 30's and 40's the girls made hundreds of personal appearances at state fairs and radio stations throughout the south, where they would sing and yodel. Although they stopped performing in the late 40's, their influence lived on with future singers who they inspired, like Kitty Wells and Patsy Cline. Their recordings are so cool!! Very primitive and basic.

Stompie Wompie!

2011-01-09T07:32:00.001-08:00

Years ago when I was but a wee young lass, I discovered the Girls in the Garage compilation series. Most ladies featured on these records would probably be considered by most "one hit wonders" (if even that), but a few years ago I found an album from an Australian singer named Little Pattie (pictured above). The name rung a bell... I flipped it over and was surprised to see an entire albums worth of songs by the same girl from the GITG compilations!

The back cover has her entire story: In the early 60's, a very young Patty appeared on several television shows and started singing with a surf band (although she wasn't a surfer girl, she sang a lot of songs about surfer boys). Shortly after she appeared on these TV shows, she was signed to EMI. Her first single was this adorable song called He's My Blond Headed Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfer Boy:

Seriously, how cute is that song? Reminds me of The Honeys! After her success with this record, she was given numerous awards and appeared on several TV shows - this wasn't cool with her high school teachers... so she dropped out of school when she was almost 15, released a solo album called The Many Moods of Little Pattie, appeared on a few more television shows and met The Beatles and The Beach Boys. NO BIG DEAL. She went on to record a few more pop albums in the 60's and some country albums in the 70's. After checking out her Wikipedia page, I've learned that she was recently inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association's Hall of Fame and is currently a singing teacher... her cousin is the singer of The Divinyls (!!!)

Here are some "live" television appearances - so cute!!

Here's a short interview about her career in the 60's:

She's bad, bad, bad

2011-01-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

I love Betty Wright. She got her start in a family gospel group and in her early teens turned to R&B. Below is the single off her debut album from 1968 called Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do. It's hard to believe that she was only 15 years old when this song was released! Her voice is so mature and she oozes strong, raw soul. She wrote a lot of her own songs and the content of most of them seems really mature for such a youngin', but she was totally ahead of her time. Another great tune off that album is called Hes' Bad Bad Bad and you can hear a clip of it here. I'd say the album is pretty hard to find in stores, but I'm sure it's easy to find online. The CD version is available here.

A few years later she released her most successful album, I Love the Way You Love, which produced her biggest hit, the amazing Clean Up Woman:

My second favorite song on this album is Pure Love:

A song on her 3rd album is about how her 16 year old babysitter steals her man. It's a little... how do you say... scandalous:

Betty also warns us ladies about keeping a cautious eye on our dude's secretaries. Life's a bowl of cherries for those secretaries. Preach it, girrrrlll!!!:

Another great song of hers is from a single (I don't think it was ever on an LP, but I could be wrong) called Let Me Be Your Lovemaker. Here's a rad "live" version:

Betty Wright - Let Me Be Your Lovemaker
Uploaded by PeteRock. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

TONS of her songs have been sampled by other artists, including the song below, sampled by one of my favorite childhood songs Knockin Boots by Candyman!! Oh man... in floods the memories of when I wanted to be a fly girl on In Living Color!!!

Oh Nena, Nena

2011-01-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

If you like music that isn't sung in English and you're looking for a change of pace from your artsy fartsy obscure French album from 1966 that no one has ever heard of (aside from you of course), maybe plop a Nena album on your turntable for a change! Most people probably only know their one hit, 99 Red Balloons (99 Luftballons), but I really enjoy the entire album that song is on. Nena was huge in Europe, but is really only known as a one hit wonder band in America. Many of the songs are sung in German, but it's just really fun 80's pop. Nena has that classic Chrissie Hynde look with strong Debbie Harry pop vocals. If you like The Sounds, you'll love Nena and the pre-Nena band, The Stripes (video below). The Stripes' material is really rare, at least in America, and I've only been able to find a bootlegged CD version of the album.

Most of their songs are sung in German, but they're still really enjoyable. I even try singing along, but it's mostly just me going "duh na na juh juhhh jooo" because I have no idea what the hell they are singing. However, their English songs are really awesome:

Nena has released over 15 albums spanning from 1981 to 2009. A few years ago, Nena released a 2-CD set called Cover Me where she covers songs she likes, including David Bowie, Mazzy Star and the Rolling Stones. I have yet to hear this album, but as Larry David would say, it sounds like it would be prit-tay, prit-tay, prit-tay good!

The boop-boop-a-doop girls

2011-01-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

I bought a compilation LP last weekend that I have to write about because it's so cool and cute! It features four female singers from the 20's and 30's with that distinct/novelty "Betty Boop" flapper voice: Helen Kane, Annette Hanshaw, Mae Questel (one of the voices of Betty Boop) and The Mystery Girl. I'm so fascinated by these women, this era and their voices!!

RIP Lyn Todd

2010-12-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

I wrote about Peroxid e a few weeks ago and was informed by an anonymous commenter that the singer, Lyn Todd, passed away on December 1, 2010. So sad... a little more info about Lyn was recently posted on the Max's Kansas City website.

How many Ikettes does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

2010-11-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize the Ikette turnover rate was so high until today. Did you know there have been over 40 Ikettes??!!

First off, I had no idea P.P. Arnold was an Ikette! I always thought she was a solo singer whose LPs are impossible to find and when you do find them, they're really expensive. WTF!

I've seen records of Bonnie Bramlett but never actually listened to them. Note to self: buy Bonnie Bramlett records!!

Vanetta Fields sang back up for The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd (!!!!)

I also never knew Brenda Holloway was in Ikette. What the hell!?!?!!!

SUPER FUCKING FUNKY gospel sisters called The Stovall Sisters sang back ups in the late 60's. This track is literally mindblowing. Jeez... like a DJ's dream:

The rest of The Ikettes' names can be found here.

Song of the Day: Want Ads

2010-11-27T08:16:00.001-08:00

The Honey Cone were on a RAD soul/funk label called Hot Wax Records. The members were in The Girlfriends and The Ikettes. Not too shabby of a line up! This song is on repeat right now:

Here's T.H.C. "performing the song live" on Soul Train:

Dolly Parton: the early years

2010-11-27T07:16:00.001-08:00

I have a soft spot for Dolly, not just because she's an amazing singer/actress/person, but because 2 years ago I was hired to do voiceover and singing work for the animatronic beavers (insert laugh track here) in the River Battle Ride at Dollywood. Probably one of the most surreal days of my life for sure and I really hope I'm able to do more stuff like that in the near future. I've never been to Dollywood, but it's definitely on my bucket list. If you listen carefully you can hear the song in the background here. Totally nuts, right??!!

Most people know Dolly's hits from the 70's and 80's, but her music career actually started in the late 50's. I'd love to get my hands on her very first record, a single from 1959 on Goldband Records. This link has a picture of the label (albeit a re-issue, but better than nothing!) as well as an MP3 of the very Brenda Lee-esque A-side, Puppy Love.

Her next single was released in 1962 on Mercury Records called It's Sure Gonna Hurt and has country elements mixed with that classic oldies teen pop sound (certain melodies throughout this song kind of sound like Dion's Teenager in Love and Connie Francis' Lipstick on Your Collar).

1963-1967 is when Dolly's career really started taking off singing for Monument Records. One of the songs on Monument that stands out the most to me is the B-side of the single Control Yourself, titled Don't Drop Out. It has an almost northern soul groove to it mixed with a little country twang here and there. It's seriously SO GREAT and you have to listen to it right now. I still haven't been able to find this on vinyl, but the song is available on several compilation CD's. I could totally see this song being a huge hit for a group like The Supremes.

Here are some other great early Dolly tracks:

New site!

2010-11-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

I literally cannot figure out how to do anything on Facebook or Myspace anymore, so I have officially given up. I made a new blog/website for Jungle Fever and it will be updated frequently. Check it out here!

Stocking stuffers!!

2010-11-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year, people... time to figure out what the hell to buy our friends, family members, boyfriends/girlfriends or guys/girls that you "like-like". Here are some recommendations for the lady-rocker-lovers in your life:

Ronnie Spector’s Be My Baby. I read this book in one sitting. I actually own 3 copies of this book because people keep giving it to me as a present thinking I don't have it! The paperback version is updated with new material!

My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story Again, a total must have.

When I Grow Up: a Memoir Juliana Hatfield’s book about her being totally talented and cool.

Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s definitely in my Amazon Wish List.

For the girl that's not quite old enough to be a guitar shredder, but will be in a few years: Rock 'n Roll Camp for Girls: How to Start a Band, Write Songs, Record an Album, and Rock Out!

RIP ARI UP Typical Girls: The Story of the Slits

I own two copies of this Blondie book. One for reading and one to cut out all the pictures and use them for an art project that never happened!

Punk Pioneers: When Punk Was Fun Probably one of the coolest and best punk photographers of all time, Jenny Lens, released a book a few years ago of all her amazing photography.

60's/70's fans might enjoy this one.

Pamela Des Barres wrote a book about being a groupie in the 60's and 70's. I've always wanted to read this and I'm sure she has some pretty... um... "interesting" stories...

I'm open to more suggestions! Send an email to kellyfeverxo (at) gmail (dot) com if you have any recommendations!

Little Miss Dynamite has a posse 4'9", 100lb

2010-11-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know Brenda Lee, used to sing outside of a candy shop in exchange for sweets when she was a toddler? Maybe I need to quit my day job and start tap dancing outside of Extraordinary Desserts.

In the early 60's, The Beatles were her opening act. No big deal of course. Her very first record was a song called Jambalaya b/w Bigelow 6-200.
Take a listen and keep in mind she was only 11 years old!!

Another early hit was Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, which initially only sold 5,000 copies. Seems so strange to think about, as that song is probably one of the most well-known and best Christmas songs of all time (aside from Mariah's of course!!)

Her most popular song, Dynamite, is how she got the nickname Little Miss Dynamite, because such a big voice was coming from such a small girl (she was under 5 feet tall!)

Sweet Nothin's is probably one of my favorite Brenda Lee songs. I love the little whispers in the beginning!! So cute!!

In the mid-60's, her sound (along with her voice) matured and she had a few more hits (mostly in the UK). Jimmy Page played guitar on the song Is It True? This song is great and she sounds just like LULU!

Altered Images appreciation post

2010-11-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Altered Images were a Scottish new wave band that started in the early 80's and they are one of my favorite bands. Their sound is super poppy and fun and the singer's voice sounds like a happy little bouncing baby! They were highly influenced by Siouxsie and the Banshees and while you may not necessarily hear that influence in most of their songs, you can definitely hear it in songs like Insects and Dead Pop Stars (their debut single):

The band released a handful of singles and three full-length albums (but I personally think their first two albums are their best albums). After Altered Images broke up, singer Claire Grogan went on to be an actress and television personality. Watch this RAD modern-day video of Claire talking about her days in Altered Images. She hasn't aged a bit!!

You can purchase reissues of their albums on Amazon.com. They are kind of pricey, but worth it since they've added tons of bonus tracks to each CD... or if you're an Altered Images newbie, you can start off with a "best of" CD, like this one!

BUY IT: Chin Chin: Sound of the Westway

2010-11-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

I wrote about Chin Chin last year, and for months have been putting off buying Slumberland Records reissue of Chin Chin's 1985 LP Sound of the Westway for no other reason than just being plain ol' broke as a joke. I finally shelled up some clams and bought it and HOLY SHIT I'm so glad I did.

The band's sound on their full-length album is a bit different than their debut single, We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners (listen below)

This song is amazing and lively. I love their gang vocals and it kind of reminds me of a tamer Vice Squad. However, their full length album that came out one year after Prisoners is chock full of that C86 girly pop punk sound, beautiful harmonies and almost border-lining on an edgy twee feel. Every song is upbeat and fun and the great thing about buying this on vinyl, like most new vinyl releases, there's a free download card inside that comes with a bonus early demo rehearsal medley of My Boy Lollipop and Da Do Ron Ron. That recording is seriously as cute as a baby bunny's tail!!

Chin Chin toured with The Shop Assistants and also played with The Pogues, Anti-Nowhere League, TV Personalities and New Model Army. While bands like The Go-Go's and The Bangles have always received a lot of attention in America as influential female-fronted bands, Chin Chin is a band that has obviously been overlooked.

You can listen to clips of every song on the album here and that link also provides a free download of their song Dead Life. Buy the album here!

Maren Parusel is looking for a drummer

2010-11-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Attention San Diegans: Maren Parusel is looking for a drummer. Influences/sounds like: Camera Obscura, Feist, Fiona Apple, The Cardigans, etc. She recently recorded with Kim Fowley, who discovered her on the streets of Austin, Texas! Her band plays regularly around San Diego and Los Angeles and tours a lot. Must be dedicated, able to tour frequently and able to hold a steady beat! Currently recording a full-length album with Paul Jenkins of Blackheart Procession. Please spread the word!

Get with the program: Circle Pit

2010-10-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Circle Pit passed the Fred and Toody Cole's Rock n Roll 101 class with flying colors. They combine nonchalant dual male/female vocals with scumbag 80's/90's rock n roll. Their recent album, Bruise Constellation (Siltbreeze Records), is great because every song sounds different so you don't get bored while listening to it. Some songs are really melodic (like Beginning and the End, one of my personal favorites on the album, whose lead surf-drenched guitar solos throughout leave me mesmerized. You can listen to that song here) while some songs bring out singer Angela Bermuda's inner Nirvana-era Courtney Love meets Exene Cervenka, drizzled with some Kim Gordon and Toody Cole. This is the kind of album you blast as loud as possible while driving up the coast with all your windows rolled down. They're currently touring the states, check out their Myspace page and their blog. Listen to clips of the entire album here. Circle Pit plays Soda Bar November 8 with Jungle Fever and The Last Years.

Hurricane (first of the 3 videos below) is my favorite track off this album. If you like Dead Moon, I think you'll really dig this band.

Beyond the Valley of the Brood

2010-10-30T11:07:00.001-07:00

The Brood is a KICK ASS all-girl garage revival band from Maine who started in the early 80's. They released a buttload of albums, singles and were featured on a slew of compilations. A complete (or semi-complete?) discography is here. If you like The Pandoras, you will love The Brood. I discovered this band when I was about 18 or 19 and was a wannabe mod. I had no money to buy cool clothes and even if I did have money to buy cool clothes, my Christian mom probably wouldn't have let me dress cool anyways. C'est la vie.

Do the swim with Little Nell!

2010-10-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Little Nell (Nell Campbell) is an Australian actress best known for her role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She recorded several singles, but Do the Swim was her most popular. Check it out below, it's so incredibly over the top glam and fun! The single I have for this song (pictured above) is on red vinyl.

Here's one of her singles from 1980. Very Tracy Ullman/Julie Brown!

Peroxide

2010-10-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Peroxide formed in the late 70's in New York and were more new wave than they were punk. There's not too much information about the band on internet or back of the record cover (aside from the fact that New York Doll/Heartbreaker Jerry Nolan played drums on one of their singles). I did however find a fun interview with the singer, Lyn Todd, here. In 1980, Lyn released a solo LP on the Vangaurd label. A re-issue 10" which features songs off their single, demos and live tracks, is available on an Italian record label called Backstreet Records and can be purchased through Rave Up Records.

Check out this Peroxide song called Heart Disease. I'm assuming this was the A-side to their single. Lyn's voice kind of reminds me of Joan Jett a little bit!

Find more artists like Lyn Todd at Myspace Music

Nerd alert!!!

2010-09-29T20:25:00.001-07:00

MAN! I've been quiet lately... busy at work and with band stuff. In the meantime, check out this interview I did with HxC Wax about record collecting!!!!!!

New arrival bin

2010-08-07T09:48:00.001-07:00

Slumberland just released a super limited edition Go Sailor 7-inch.

Janelle Monae's new single, Cold War, is pretty rad, so is the video. It's basically just a close up of her face the whole time, but she's obvs easy on the eyes and she has perfect eyebrows, too!!

Dubbed "the UK version of Phil Spector", dustygroove.com is selling a reissue of a CD that was released in the mid-90's called Let's Go! Joe Meeks Girls! Hear samples of the songs here.

Decca reissued the super cute British early 60's girl group, The Vernons Girls, on CD.

A new Brenda and The Tabulations CD collection came out last month.

An Ike and Tina "2fer" import CD will be released this month.

The 1968-1972 studio recordings of excellent soul vocalist Alice Clark import CD was released last month. Hear audio samples here, buy the CD here.

Last month, a 3-on-1 CD collection of Cass Elliot was released.

Dolly Mixture just released a limited edition box set.

Soul Jazz Records reissued a super rare album called Ladies of the 80's, featuring Roy Ayers' backing band and lady vocalists... super funky/disco/soulful - you can sample the tracks here.

Slowdive released a 2-CD anthology.

Shonen Knife has a new live DVD!

60's/70's singer Bridget St. John's 2-CD BBC Session - she was on John Peel's label - perfect for fans of Nico! Check out her songs here.

Import only and limited edition 26-track CD of some SERIOUS kick ass 50's Chicago R&B/rock n roll/soul girls: Tiny Topsy & Lula Reed. Check out more from Tiny here and Lula here.

Heart has a new album out. Will it be good? Ehhhh I dunno about that. BUT they have a super limited edition 10" - shaped like a HEART - on red vinyl. It's a song called WTF b/w a live version of Magic Man.

LASTLY, David Cross is one of my favorite comedians of all time... and he recently released a limited edition LP/DVD set at the end of July. I WANT.

Q&A with Suzy Shaw from Bomp! Records

2010-07-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Bomp! since I started collecting records. Bomp's been around since the early 70's and is the oldest independent record label in the U.S. Since Greg Shaw's unfortunate passing in 2004, his right hand (wo)man, Suzy Shaw, has continued to run the show as Bomp's mail order guru and vinyl goddess. So here it is, everything you always wanted to know about Suzy Shaw *but were afraid to ask. Enjoy!

Kelly: Suzy, tell us about your background: Where are you from, how did you get into music and what were some of your early musical influences growing up?

Suzy: I'm originally from a small town in Illinois, but I lived in Palo Alto California when I was a teenager and ran away to the Haight Ashbury when I was 16. I was a big fan of the Who, the Kinks, and the Beatles. In fact when I was 14 I ran away from home to go to a Beatles concert in Los Angeles, but they caught me that time. I would have just stayed there going to the clubs if I'd had my way. There were a lot of great bands playing on the Strip at the time.

K: How did you meet Greg Shaw?

S: You can read the full story in the first Bomp book, but I was living in the streets of the Haight and saw him in a store called the Print Mint and asked him for a quarter. The next thing I knew I was helping him mimeograph the very first rock fanzine ever, Mojo Navigator.

K: What inspired you to start the Bomp Fanzine with Greg? Were there other fanzines that competed with Bomp and if so, what set Bomp apart from the competition?

S: Bomp magazine was started in 74, Greg always had a magazine or two going, ever since he was 12 years old. Bomp was never financially successful, not at all, but Greg really had a vision, always way ahead of his time. The quality of the magazine was pretty impressive, all of the early rock writer greats were on board and the writing was top notch.

K: What was the very first record you and Greg put out?

S: The Flamin Groovies single, You Tore me Down.

K: What are your top 5 favorite Bomp albums (or singles)?

S: I always liked Stiv Bators a lot, and of course, Nikki Corvette, Shoes, 20/20. And we just put out a full length LP of one of our early Bomp bands, the Poppees.

K: What are your top 5 favorite NON-Bomp albums (or singles)?

S: Hard to pick really, it changes all the time, but right now Im playing a lot of the Black Keys and some of the other ALIVE titles... I love the Buffalo Killers, The Plimsouls, and we just did a Paul Collins CD that's a warehouse hit.

K: Now for the juicy stuff: What's the most exciting and/or strange Bomp-related story?

S: Most of the "exciting" Bomp stories are so exciting that I've done my best to forget them. Greg was never dull, that's for sure. I've written a little chapter in the first Bomp book called "Inquiring Minds Want to Know" about the various boyfriends and the like, if it's juice you want, look no further!

K: Out of all the interesting people you've met through Bomp, who was the one person you were most excited to meet?

S: That would have to be Patrick Boissel; he used to be our distributor in France. We met at a record convention and now we're married and he helps me run Bomp, in addition to running his own label, ALIVE Records. You can’t get more exciting than that!

K: Although it's very helpful in getting your band name out to the world, I personally feel like the internet and modern day pop culture has destroyed music's charm (for lack of a better word). What are your thoughts on modern-day bands along with the pros and cons of the internet, downloading, etc?

S: I wouldn't go back to the pre-internet days; I think it's a great tool for getting music out there and networking with like-minded people.

K: Say there's someone reading this right now that isn't familiar with Bomp. What is the one record out of all the others on the label you'd recommend to buy first?

DESTINATION BOMP, it's a double CD featuring the highlights from the label, plus it comes with a free CD called Straight Out of Burbank, which is another double CD of Bomp and ALIVE tunes. And of course they should get the Bomp books.

K: According to Billboard Magazine, vinyl sales (as well as single-song digital downloads) are at an all-time high, and have doubled in sales from the previous year. Why do you think vinyl is making a comeback? Do you think this is something that will continue to gain in popularity or do you think it's just yet another music trend?

S: It’s hard to predict if the trend will continue, but I get the usual comments from my customers... they like the sound, they like the nice big covers, and it's somehow become hip to have vinyl. There's even a cassette revival, but I'm not sure how far that is going to go! Hard to imagine, really.

K: You recently released the new Loons album. What are some other recent releases and are there any future releases you can talk about?

S: Bomp is NOT an active label in terms of signing new bands.... I feel very strongly that Bomp was Greg's artistic vision and I wouldn't presume to add to it. The Loons was the first and last exception. Mike Stax is a very dear friend and he helped me out on the second Bomp Book. He told me that it was his dream to have his record on Bomp and I knew Greg would have approved, so I did it. That will be the end of it though, we will just work with the back catalogue from now on. ALIVE is the active label, under the leadership of Patrick. I do the mail order exclusively. Even the new remastered and restored Kill City (Iggy) will be on Alive rather than Bomp.

Where in the world is Helen Harmon?

2010-07-22T06:17:00.001-07:00

A few months ago I wrote about Whoom Elements from Austin, TX. Someone just wrote me needing to get a hold of her. A family member of theirs passed away that was friends with Helen. If you know who she is or where to find her, please email me at kellyfeverxo at gmail dot com. The woman mentioned she may still live in the Austin area. Thank you!

UPDATE: Helen has been found and has contacted me. Thanks to anyone that gave her a heads up!

Johnny vs. Johnny

2010-07-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

Joanie Sommers has 13 albums under her belt and was in several movies and television shows (including a bunch of cool game shows from the 60's!). Johnny Get Angry was her biggest hit and I thought that this song was probably the only popular song in history to feature a kazoo, but boy... was I wrong.

Did you guys know that Shelly Fabares, who sang Johnny Angel, was the wife in the television sitcom Coach??!! She also was an actress throughout the 50's and 60's in numerous movies and television shows, but was most well-known for her lead role as the teenage daughter in The Donna Reed Show from the late 50's to mid-60's. She recorded two full-length LPs and was featured on several soundtracks and compilations. I can't get over how sweet this video is. I wish I was a teenager in the 60's...

Get with the program: Darlene Love

2010-07-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

I really don't think people give Darlene Love the props she deserves. Let me give you a little background on this amazing lady (and later today you should probably buy her autobiography because it's fantastic).

The name might not be familiar to you when you first hear it, but her distinctive voice is what sets Darlene Love apart from all the other singers of that era... the woman can seriously belt out tunes. She started singing/recording in the early 60's with her girl group, The Blossoms, and with Phil Spector (The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans and as a solo singer). Not only did she sing on one of the most recognized songs in history, He's a Rebel (with The Crystals), but she (along with her group, The Blossoms) also was the background singer of numerous 60's hits: Johnny Angel, The Tracks of My Tears, Baby I Need Your Loving, just to name a few.

Although Love was part of The Blossoms in the early 60's (side note: The Blossoms were the background singers on the weekly music variety show Shindig!, as well as Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special), towards the mid-to-late 60's she sang with them as a more full time gig. Their songs had more of a northern soul sound, but were as equally amazing as her early material. Here's a cute video of Darlene lip syncing to The Blossoms' 1965 tune That's When the Tears Start. It looks like this video was shot more recently and she looks gorgeous!! I'm assuming the older lady is an original Blossom? Not sure who that younger woman is?

One of my favorite Blossoms songs is Good, Good Lovin'. You can hear it for free here (just type in the code on the right hand side of the page and the MP3 streams for free). This song is pure GOLD.

In the early 80's, Darlene wasn't able to find many music-related jobs, so she started cleaning houses in Beverly Hills. She made her comeback in the late 80's with roles in movies (Lethal Weapon) and musicals (Grease, Carrie, Hairspray) and she continues to make yearly appearances during Christmas time on The Letterman Show. Darlene was also a finalist for this years Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

You can buy her Best Of CD here, several Blossoms songs are featured on this fantastic (!!!) compilation CD and lastly, I didn't even know this existed until just now. I may buy myself that CD as a belated birthday present. Eep!

Q&A with Mandy from Garbo's Daughter

2010-06-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

I blogged about Garbo's Daughter last year after I had accidentally stumbled upon their band while doing an interest search on MySpace for "girl groups" (nerd alert). I'm really happy to have discovered them... not only are they awesome, have several releases out on cool record labels (Surfin'Ki, Burger, Florida's Dying), but the singer, Mandy Mullins, is one of the grooviest girls in the pop music scene! I haven't met her in person (yet), but I'm hoping to meet her this summer and possibly record some over-the-top bubblegum jams with her that are so sweet, it will make all the teeth crumble out of your mouth.

After reading her responses to my interview questions, I realized we have more in common than I thought. While I'm not a preacher's kid, I grew up in a super right-wing, conservative, Baptist Christian house, with parents who also wouldn't let me listen to music that wasn't Christian. I eventually figured out a way to lie and tell them the CDs I wanted to buy or the shows I wanted to see were Christian bands. I've had my fair share of Michael W. Smith shoved down my throat. ...and not to be a one-upper to Mandy's Stryper story (cuz it's a real doozy!!), but I went to the same Christian summer camp as AMY GRANT'S KID. Who's the jealous one now??

**Live photos by Dan Savage

K: How did you get into the 60’s/70’s bubblegum sound and what were some of your early pop culture influences growing up?

M: Oh, boy! You are opening a can of worms, Kelly! Haha! I think I’ve always just been such a nerd for nostalgia. Though I’ve been thinking a lot lately that, now as I’m getting older, my love for nostalgia has shifted from “other people’s nostalgia” to my own. Like, I would seriously consider trading all of my 60’s teen magazines for all of the Sassy magazines from 1991-1992. And if I had a time machine and Garbo’s Daughter could play any TV show ever, I would probably more likely choose MTV Spring Break ’92 over Hullabaloo or Shindig. Haha! But my love for 60’s and 70’s music started when I was 15. Remember how ABC started airing commercials for the Beatles Anthology months before it actually started? I can clearly remember seeing the first one and thinking, “Hmm, I think I might check that out.”

But I think I’ll back up for just a second…

I’ve always loved music and TV and movies. Books and dumb magazines, too! I’m a preacher’s kid, so for my earliest years, my parents were pretty strict about what kind of music we were allowed to listen to. My first secular records were Debbie Gibson’s Out of the Blue and a 12” single of Whitney’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” My older sister Sarah and I became big Top 40 fanatics, but we still loved stuff like Amy Grant and Stryper. (I met Stryper at K-Mart when I was 8 and they autographed my jean jacket. JEALOUS?) My older brother Freddy always had amazing records, too, that we would listen to – stuff like T.Rex and The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. I remember The Slider was always at the front of his record stack!

I was (am!) a big TV nerd – definitely a sitcom kid! All of those shows like Full House and Golden Girls are still my favorites. My sister and I also loved any and every movie that had anything to do with music, dancing, and/or gymnastics – Hairspray, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and Dream to Believe were our favorites. I also snuck and watched my brother’s movies like Heathers, Track 29, Wild at Heart (not the best movie for an 11 year old!!), and River’s Edge.

Growing up, I really idolized my brother Freddy (I still do!). One fateful evening in 1992 (I was 12 years old), I decided to sneak into my his room and nab some of his tapes. I grabbed stuff like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. and Violent Femmes. I listened to them all night. The next morning, I decided to borrow his Dinosaur Jr. tee shirt to wear to school (it was purple with the cow design on it!). I know this next bit is going to sound sooooo dumb, but it was a total turning point in my young life: I was walking down the main hallway of Cypress Lake Middle School in that tee shirt and behind me, someone shouted, “DINOSAUR JR. RULES!” I turned around to see the cutest boy I had ever seen in my whole life. He was wearing a Sonic Youth tee shirt and he smiled at me. I swear, everything went into soft focus and “Dreamweaver” started playing from somewhere on high. And at that moment, my fate was sealed: I wanted to be a rock and roll girl. (For the record, that boy’s name was Steve Wood and he was one year ahead of me. I spent my entire 7th grade year terrified of speaking to him or even making eye contact, I’ve always been so shy! But my sister Sarah was in his grade and was friends with him, so I was able to spend one glorious afternoon with him that summer when we were on vacation at Ft. Myers Beach. He talked me into smoking a cigarette and he gave me the X-Men trading card that came with his Cracker Jacks - it was Wolverine and I still have it tucked away in one of my old diaries! Also, he drank a Clear Pepsi…just to really date this story, haha!)

Through my brother, I learned about so many bands. I remember the first mixtape he made for me. It had so much awesome music on it! It opened with “Neat Neat Neat” and “Brand New Rose” by The Damned. Talk about a double whammy, dang! Also, Freddy gave me Juliana Hatfield’s Hey Babe tape for Christmas ’92 and to say that I loved that record would be the biggest understatement ever! I remember some magazine calling Juliana Hatfield “the queen of unrequited love songs” and I actually think that I may have somehow cursed myself into nabbing that title from her by listening to that album so dang much! Haha!

So when I was 12 and 13, I constantly read about music and tried to learn all that I could. Sassy magazine was like The Bible to me at the time, and I learned about girl bands like Bratmobile and Bikini Kill. When I was 13, I started to get really into all of that kind of stuff, buying lots of 7” records from Kill Rock Stars and K Records and labels like that. I remember this amazing record distributor called Septophilia that was run by two sisters. I would spend every single penny of my allowance getting as many records from them as I possibly could! I was mostly into girl bands, especially bands like Heavenly and Mambo Taxi and Slant 6 - so many I can’t even remember now in my elderly age, haha! I also loved all of the amazing fanzines going on at the time! I had 2 different fanzines when I was 14 and 15. It changed my life big time to be able to get in touch with other girls my age who were into music. Between all of the record mail-ordering and fanzines, I lived to get the mail back then!

I also began to get really into old movies, particularly from the 20’s and 30’s. I loved Greta Garbo (naturally!), Jean Harlow, Clara Bow, Myrna Loy, all of those great actresses. Nostalgia strikes again! (I eventually became a little annoying know-it-all about all kinds of film – especially silent movies and British films of the 60’s and 70’s. And Woody Allen!)

So I guess that brings us back around to 1995 when I started to see those Beatles commercials. At first, I was casually thinking, “Oh yeah, I’ll check that out.” But as the advertisements became more frequent, something just took over my brain and I could not wait until that the night when the first part of the Anthology aired. I just remember sitting there minutes before it began, thinking, “Why the heck is my heart beating so fast? Why am I sweating? What is wrong with me?!” Two hours later, my whole world had been turned upside down. I lived and breathed The Beatles for a good solid year – it was insane! They were everywhere I turned, it was like magic! And I was madly in love. Naturally, I wanted to learn about other bands from the 60’s, too. So by the time I was 16 and 17, I was really getting into buying old records. Bubblegum was a natural favorite for me – I love anything that makes me smile and sing along! It was quite a while until I learned about the more obscure bubblegum stuff, but I definitely kicked things off at that time.

K: Were you in any other bands before Garbo’s Daughter?

M: Yes! I received a guitar for my high school graduation present and started a band with my friends Evi, Whit, and John called The Bang Bang Bang Society. We had lots of fun together! I guess you could describe us as psychedelic pop, mainly because Evi played with her flanger pedal on AT ALL TIMES! Haha! We always wore crazy matching outfits and had really nutty stage antics. Evi built a 6-foot tall rocket ship out of chicken wire and aluminum – it had windows and blinking lights and everything! We made picket signs with silly slogans on them that our friends would carry around. We also made about a dozen or so baby dolls with matching outfits that we gave away at our first show. Oh, and we ripped off John’s Children and threw around pillowcases full of feathers! We were together for about 4 months, from August to December of 1999, and recorded 10 songs together before John moved to Boston. I’ve since kinda lost touch with Evi, but Whit and John are still two of my dearest friends. Whit even played piano on and recorded the earliest Garbo’s Daughter songs and will be recording our 7” this weekend!

A while after that, I started playing music with my friend Jason (who is currently playing with Nobunny!). Jason was a longtime friend of my brother Freddy. I got a drumkit when I was 15 and my brother kinda “borrowed” it when I was 17 (I just got it back officially last year!). Jason had used my drumkit for quite a while. On my 21st birthday, he offered to record some songs for me as a thank you for letting him use my kit. We recorded one song and it came out great and so we decided to keep going. We played a bunch of shows as a two-piece and later with our friend Travis on bass. Travis also released all of the recordings that Jason and I made on his label Go Zombie! Records in 2004. All of those songs are going to be re-released on a cassette for Burger Records later this year! When Jason moved in late 2002, my buddy Mikey took over for him, and my friend Brian eventually joined us on drums. That was a really fun time! Our friend Kyle dubbed us Mandy & the Seducers! I played my last show with those awesome guys in early 2003.

Then it was about another four years before Garbo’s Daughter started.

K: How did you come up with your band name?

M: There is a great song called “Motorboat” that Kim Fowley wrote and recorded under the name Jimmy Jukebox. Steven McDonald of Redd Kross covered the song on his solo EP from 2003 and that was the first time I had heard it. There is a line in the song that goes, “Hey babe, can you float on water/You move like Garbo’s daughter.” The second I heard that line, I was like, “Oh, man! That would be a great band name!” So I held onto it for a few years until the band started in late summer of 2007.

K: Who are some of musicians that have influenced you the most and why?

M: It’s kinda hard to pick out “influences,” because really EVERYTHING is an influence when you think about it. But some of my big favorites are:

Paul McCartney - I love Paul! I am definitely not an argumentative person, but I challenge any anti-Paul people to get into a discussion with me about him. I defend him like a warrior, haha! He has written some of the most amazing songs in the history of the planet (both with John and without). If anyone disses him, I just say, “Go listen to Ram. Just SHUT UP and go listen to Ram!” Haha!

Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry – Talk about a dream team! They made so many amazing records together (and so many even after they parted ways). I love Ellie so much, she is my hero of heroes! Her solo album from 1968 Composes, Produces, and Sings is one of my all-time favorites. And honestly, like 99.9999% of the time, if I look at the sleeve or label of an album that I really love, Jeff’s name is on there somewhere!

Joey Levine – What can’t this guy do? He has the most amazing voice ever and he wrote, um, like EVERY single awesome song ever, haha! And all when he was so young! Then he went on to write some of the most famous jingles ever! “Sometimes you feel like a nut”…truer words were never spoken.

The Ramones – DUH. DER. DOY. The Ramones rule, enough said.

Twinkle – Twinkle is my homegirl. Her songs are so amazing and so heartfelt and beautiful and personal. I know that she is best known for her early hits like “Terry” and “Golden Lights” (which are both totally amazing, of course!), but her shelved 1974 album Michael Hannah is probably my favorite record ever. It’s so touching and beautiful and sad. I have listened to it a bajillion times and it still touches me heart and gets the waterworks going every single time.
Lori Burton – Lori and her writing partner Pam Sawyer wrote tons of amazing songs like “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore,” “Try and Understand,” and the legendary “Nightmare” by The Whyte Boots. Lori released her own solo album in 1968 called Breakout and it is all killer, no filler! Her voice is so soaring and soulful and passionate. I just love her! I recently learned that she had a Facebook page and when I saw it, I totally got goosebumps! I wrote to her and she was so incredibly nice! I actually cried when she wrote me back, I was so happy! (Nerd!)

Dwight Twilley and Phil Seymour – Dream boat city times two, holy moley! I absolutely love both Dwight Twilley Band albums – Dwight’s songs are so incredible and the way that he and Phil sang together and played together was just magical (and Bill Pitcock IV, too!). I loooove hearing those two sing together! Suh-woooon. I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on tons of crazy rarities of theirs, both from the Dwight Twilley Band era and before that, when they were called Oister. Oh my gosh, those early recordings are so amazing! I love those guys so much!

Lou Christie – Oh, wow! What a weirdo! I love Lou Christie! His writing partner Twyla Herbert was like 30 years older than him and a self-proclaimed gypsy, mystic, and psychic. How amazing is that? They wrote the coolest songs…mainly about the summertime and about gypsies and stuff! I love Lou’s crazy voice and when he had the Tammys backing him – whoa, look out! And all of the songs he and Twyla wrote for the Tammys are incredible, too.

K: Garbo’s Daughter used to be an all-girls band up until semi-recently when there was a line-up change. Tell us about the new members!

M: I feel super-lucky to be playing music with two of the greatest guys in the U.S.A.! Rich Evans plays drums and Zac Jaggers plays bass. I’ve known Rich for almost 10 years and he is, without a doubt, the coolest guy you will ever meet. He is a true-blue rock & roller and a great friend. Rich also plays drums with Slippery Slopes and Hungry Gayze. And he runs the amazing Floridas Dying record label and owns the coolest record shop in Orlando, Vinyl Richie’s Wiggly World of Records. I met Zac back in February when his band Telethon played with my friend Jenny’s band. He is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and a really awesome musician. Both of the guys also sing back-up vocals and they are AMAZING! I have always wanted to have girl-boy vocals and Rich and Zac just go for it 110% and they sound so flipping awesome! Every time we play together and they’re vocals kick in, I just grin from ear-to-ear because they sound so great! It just tickles me pink every single time!

I love these guys dearly. They are both just so talented and sweet and so much fun to play music with and spend time with. I feel really blessed to have them as bandmates and doubly blessed to have them as friends, too.

K: What kind of guitar do you currently play and what’s your dream guitar?

M: I am the worst ever when it comes to knowing about which guitar is which! To be totally honest, I have never been super-passionate about playing guitar. I think I’ve always just seen it as something that I do because I write songs. But my dream is to be in a band where I can just sing and write the songs and have a totally awesome guitarist to play for me. I know that sounds so lame! I wish I was a stronger guitar player, and I think I’ve definitely become better over the past year or so, but it’s still not something I get the hots for. As far as dream guitars go, I usually just pick by color. LAME, I know! Right now I am playing “the pink one.”

K: I love your cover of Private Party by The Nightingales which was featured on a Girls in the Garage compilation LP. What are some other songs you’ve covered and what songs would you like to cover in the future?

M: Thanks so much! I’m glad you like that cover, it was always super fun to play! Right now we do a cover of “Two Faces Have I” by Lou Christie. It’s so much fun to play and sing! In the earlier Garbo’s Daughter days, we covered “Give Him a Great Big Kiss,” “When Christine Comes Around” by Grudge (super creepy weirdo song!), “Part of Growing Up” by The Tammys (Kristin sang killer leads on that one!), The Crystals’ “Oh Yeah Maybe Baby,” “Let’s Dance,” 1910 Fruitgum Company’s “When We Get Married” (we played two wedding shows!), and probably a couple more that I’m forgetting!

I love playing covers and I could probably make you a list a million miles long of all of the songs I’ve thought would be really fun to play! I want to cover EVERY song, haha! My friend Sam recently suggested we cover “Dumb Head” by Ginny Arnell. I had never heard the song until he told me about it, and it’s so great! I think it would be a really fun one. Some others I would love to learn: “Sweet Magic” by Rock Candy Mountain, every Ronettes song, “Big Bad World” or “Mr. Heartbreak” by Cathy Saint, “I Can Tell” by Reparata & the Delrons, “All You Gotta Do” by Solid Gold Band, “Caroline” by Twinkle, and “2 EZ 2 LUV U” by Thee Makeout Party.

K: I carry around a record want list in my wallet for emergencies. What are some records you’re dying to have but haven’t found (yet)?

M: That’s a great idea, Kelly! I always try to make a list before record conventions. It never fails that you walk into a record shop or a convention and your mind instantly just goes totally blank! I would love to have a complete Joey Levine 45 collection! I want the Bohanna 45 so bad and his first one (under the name Joey Edwards). He has so many and they’re all under different names, but I wish I had every single one of them! Same thing with Ellie Greenwich’s early singles, I want all of those. I have one Twinkle 45 (“Micky”/”Darby & Joan”), but I wish I had all of hers, too! I think I just jinxed myself because I know I could list a million records, and yet I cannot think of anything right now! My mind is totally blanking out on me! Argh! I do need to make a list and keep it with me at all times!! I am super-thankful for the internet and for all of the cool buddies I’ve had over the years who have made me zillions of mix tapes and mix CDs and shared mp3s with me. I wish I could wave a magic wand and every single super-obscure mp3 I’ve ever heard would appear before me in its original vinyl form.

K: This is a tough decision for me because on one had David Cassidy was SO dreamy and they had some really catchy tunes, BUT Crazy Horses is so mind blowing and can override most songs from either party due to its serious ass kicking. What’s a girl to do? I’m gonna make you pick, Mandy!!! The Partridge Family or The Osmonds? And WHY?

M: Oh my god, THE OSMONDS! Hands down! You are so right, “Crazy Horses” just rules the planet, doesn’t it? Funny you mention it, because our mutual friend Cathy De La Cruz was the first person to introduce me to that song via an awesome mix CD she made for me years and years ago. I remember that she wrote right next to the title of the song, “Why does this crazy song even exist?!” Haha! It’s one of those songs that you feel privileged to play for someone who has never heard it. Like, “Dude, have you heard Crazy Horses? No? Oh, man! Well, get ready to have your MIND BLOWN!” A couple of years ago, I had this HUGE crush on this guy and we were on the phone one night and I mentioned “Crazy Horses” to him and he interrupted me and started SINGING the guitar solo! Haha! I was like, “Oh my gosh, I AM IN LOVE.” I love the Partridge Family, too, but they just can’t hold a candle to The Osmonds. Also, I think I’m more partial to Shaun Cassidy than David Cassidy. I mean, he covered Eric Carmen songs and made a record with Todd Rundgren! I keep hoping that recordings of Shaun’s first band Longfellow somehow surface…and that they are amazing. Judging by photographs of Shaun from that time (when he was 15, yipes!), I expect nothing less than ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE! Haha!

K: I know you’ve done several podcasts. Where can we hear them?

M: I’ve made a nice handful of podcast for the awesome Popshifter online magazine, all with former Garbo’s Daughter bass player Jaime (former GD drummer Kristin is on a couple of them, as well!). We always have such a blast making those podcasts! It’s like having a fun radio show. My friend Leslie is the editor of Popshifter and she is one of the coolest and nicest people in the whole world! You can find them all at www.popshifter.com.

K: What can fans expect in the future? New releases? Maybe a cute music video? We Want more!

M: We are recording a 7” for the awesome Italian label Surfin’Ki Records this weekend! I’m really excited about it! We’ll be recording 3 songs – “Mascara Stains On My Pillowcase,” our cover of “Two Faces Have I,” and “He’s Good at Everything (But Being Good To Me).” Eventually, we will be recording a full-length for Burger Records, too! We are planning on going out to California for a little mini-tour in October, too, which I am beyond stoked about! Stay tuned, there are lots of fun things coming down the line!

My Caravelles story

2010-06-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Nostalgia Records on 30th Street in North Park was San Diego's best record store. The owner was a large older man with a big, scratchy voice and an even bigger personality. An older woman worked there as well, but they weren't married, apparently they were just friends. She was sweet and smelled of strong perfume. In fact, her perfume was so strong it used to give me migraines... but it was a comforting scent, like the kind a grandma wears.

The store was filled to the brim with rare records from the 50's and 60's. All the records were protected by record sleeves (these are the only record stores I really trust anyways) and their 45 collection was seriously amazing. From what I remember, all their 45s were in Japanese record sleeves... and you know that means business. If you went over to, say, the Blondie 45s... it wasn't just the US press of The Tide Is High or Call Me with no picture sleeve, they would have super rare records from every country imaginable. Records you didn't even know existed. Their Blondie 45s made me want to collect every Blondie 45 in existence (although I know that would be impossible). If you wanted the first Chuck Berry record, they had a few, some sealed. Their walls were filled with the coolest oldies records in town. Records that were so cool and rare, you were afraid to even play them. The owner ended up closing the store about 8 or 9 years ago so he could sell his records on the internet.

When I was about 19 years old, I made my first "expensive" record purchase: The Caravelles You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry LP on Smash Records. It was still in the shrink wrap, mint condition. I even remember taking it out of the inner sleeve for the first time... it made those static cling sounds because it probably had never left it's little shell of a record cover before. It smelled new even though it was old. I took it to work that day so I could show it off to people and play it non-stop. This was a mistake. I ended up leaving the record on the counter and it either got stolen or accidentally put in someones bag. I was crushed. I couldn't stop talking about how sad I was to lose that record.

I used to work with this geezer who smoked inside the store, was always in a bad mood and would kick people out for looking through the records too fast. He would drink the same cup of coffee all day. In fact, one time I swear to God I saw him drop his cigarette in his coffee and then an hour later pick up the same cup and drink out of it, not caring that he was drinking soggy cigarette coffee. He had mentioned to the owner of Nostlagia what had happened and the guy from Nostalgia told him he had another copy and he would sell it to me for another 50 bucks. I couldn't afford to spend another 50 bucks on the same record, so I decided to just give up. Mr. Smokes-in-the-store ended up buying the record for me. I don't think it was because he was trying to be nice, it was because he wanted me to shut the hell up about that damn record, because it really was all I talked about that week. So there you have it. My very dramatic Caravelles story.

On the back of their LP, it explains to fans about how they became a hit overnight and the day before they were just regular Janes who worked at the same company; one was a typist, the other an accounting machine operator. According to their Wikipedia page, this isn't entirely true. They were put together by a man who ran a recording studio.

They covered several country western songs (some of which were also recorded several years earlier by Patience and Prudence). Their first record was a huge success, but because they were competing with the popular "British Invasion" sound, they were unable to duplicate their success on their follow-up singles. Here are some of the songs on their Smash Records LP: (Side note! If you like the early Caravelles sound, you may like The Murmaids).

A few years after this record was released, one of the singers decided to go solo while the other stayed in The Caravelles. They put out a few more singles in the later 60's. The songs are pretty rad, a lot more groovy/soulful than their earlier sound:

Daily Discovery: Gino & Gina

2010-06-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

I spent most of the money I've been saving up for the past few months on record shopping throughout Portland and Seattle.

At Green Noise Records in Portland (AKA Dirtnap Records) I found an oldies 7" by Gino & Gina (Pretty Baby b/w Love's a Carousel). I can't seem to find that much information on them, but what I did find out is that they were a brother/sister pop duo. Gino was a songwriter that also wrote songs for The Impalas.

Check out the song Pretty Baby!

Connie Francis!

2010-05-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

I just got back from vacationing in Seattle! I went to a record store called Bop Street Records and was blown away by the selection. They had several records that have been on my want list for a while, specifically Connie Francis' album called Dance Party. This album was released in 1962, but was originally titled Do The Twist:

It was re-released several months later with a new album cover and new title, Dance Party!:

This album is SO fun and reminds me of the early Brenda Lee rock n roll/rockabilly sound. In fact, Brenda's album Miss Dynamite came out a few years before Dance Party... so I wouldn't be surprised if Connie was influenced by the success of Brenda's album.

Here's some songs off Dance Party:

Several others don't have an embedding option, but these songs are definitely worth checking out:

Johnny Darling

Mr. Twister

Mommy Your Daughter's Falling In Love

(and just to compare what I was talking about earlier in this post, here's a Brenda Lee song):