3 posts tagged “sassy”

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LYNHURST – FIELD DAY

Nov 2, 2009
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Lynhurst

Lynhurst has the notable distinction of being the closest band to ever live by me.

When the Big Chief, Vu, showed me their CD, my first reaction was, “I know these guys.” And after seeing their picture on the inlay of the CD jacket, my second reaction was, “Wow, they have really grown.”

Let me explain. I have always felt the role of proud, unrelated relative to this brothers-sister trio for over the years I’ve had the opportunity to watch them play at all the south Minneapolis hotspots like Minnehaha Falls, Betsy’s Back Porch and Famous Dave’s.

Lynhurst

No matter how young they look, these musicians are already seasoned professionals. Matt and Jake were regularly performing gigs before reaching their teens and Mari, the youngest, wasn’t too long to follow. What amazed me watching them play at such a young age is how comfortable and confident they looked on stage. Their debut album is no different.

The press promotion states that Field Day is the combination of The Carpenters meeting The Cardigans. Some reviews I have read have labeled it as Radio Disney. I would have to say with Mari’s nuanced voice and Matt and Jake’s robust sound, they have created something in between. It's fun, well played rock ‘n roll. “Kiss Me Now” is definitely the radio friendly hit, but I found myself liking all the songs on the CD. In fact, I was surprised how long I kept the CD in the player of my car as I drove through the streets of Uptown, around Lake Harriet, past Java Jacks on my way home.

-Dave

Riot Grrrls

Jul 14, 2007
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In answer to Cock Rock and Wizard Rock, comes: Riot Grrrl!

Let's be clear about this, this is not a definitive guide to all things Riot Grrrl, but just some selections of music that I have and liked.

I've always been fond of this music genre, which started in the early 90s through music and fanzines. The origin of the name seems to have come from Jen Smith (Bratmobile) writing a letter to Allison Wolfe about how the Summer of 1991 was going "to be a girl riot." Soon afterwards, Wolfe, Kathleen Hanna and Tobi Vail were inspired to create a fanzine called Riot Grrrl.

The explosion of Riot Grrrl music and political and social message leaked into the mass media. Soon, there was a backlash of Grrrl being "anti-men". Imagine that! By 1994-1995, there were hundreds of bands in this genre. Although Riot Grrrl still exists to this day, it's not that prevalent (at least in music).

Here are some Riots I like:

BIKINI KILL
THE Riot Grrrl band. This is just a quick summary, I'm sure I will be revisiting for a more in-depth look at Kathleen Hanna's career.

The first song I heard from them is "New Radio", so I got into them late in the game. But it was the most amazingly different song I've ever heard.

I didn't have a record player for the longest time, so I'm glad they compiled all the 7" into Singles on CD in 1998 (by which time they had broke up).

Bikini Kill - New Radio

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BRATMOBILE
The other band that's closely tied to the Riot movement. I have Pottymouth (1993), but I did not actually see them live until years later when they reformed and toured with Le Tigre.

I picked up Ladies, Women and Girls (2000) immediately and discovered that after a seven years gap, that they sound EXACTLY the same! There's something very comforting in that.

Trivia: I think one of the girl dated Graham Coxon, so they did a medley of "There's No Other Way" and "No You Don't" on John Peel's radio show.

Bratmobile - Cheap Trick Record

TEAM DRESCH
I only have Personal Best (1994), which I'm assuming the cover is also a recreation of Mariel Hemingway's movie "Personal Best" (1982). They're known as a queercore band, but I've never really thought of them that hardcore (loud) as Lunachicks or Babes in Toyland.

They broke up, but reformed in 2004 for some shows.

Team Dresch - Fagetarian and Dyke

2 comments

THE SMEARS
I have always associated these three girls to be part of Riot, but I don't think these girls actually wanted to be part of that movement.

Their album Love is Fer Suckers (1994) is fantastic. I believe they named their album off a Twisted Sisters song!

They sound like a girls version of the Ramones!

The Smears - Honey Jar

EXCUSE 17
Excuse 17 was a short-lived band, releasing only two albums, Excuse Seventeen (1994) and Such Friends Are Dangerous (1995), before breaking up.

Carrie Brownstein went on to join this band called Sleater-Kinney.

Excuse 17 - Special Guest, Me

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HUGGY BEAR
I've always thought they were a girl band, but when I bought the album, Weaponry Listens to Love (1994), I was disappointed to hear that it's mostly driven by singer Chris Rowley.

If you're looking for more sound like "No Sleep" off of Taking the Rough with the Smooch (1993), then don't get Weaponry (unless you like Punk music, it's a pretty good punk album).

Trivia: Nude Records wanted to sign these guys really badly. Huggy Bear said they'd only sign if Nude drop Suede. Suede was Nude's biggest money-making band, so of course there was no deal.

Huggy Bear - No Sleep

CHIA PET
Inspired by Riot Grrrls, the girl editors at Sassy Magazine form Chia Pet in 1992. They were not that serious about it, but managed to release one single and contributed one song on the Freedom of Choice CD.

Their "Hey Baby" song is quite good and I think really represented the Riot sound.

Chia Pet - Hey Baby

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Before you mention that I am missing certain bands, that is because I don't have their albums. I know regrettably I don't really have any Babes in Toyland or Lunachicks. Although I do have cover songs they both did, which may surface on cover lover. Here's Lunachicks' Heart of Glass and watch for a Carpenters cover by Babes in Toyland.

July 14, 2007 2:55 PM vu my w♥m posts vu@weheartmusic.com hot-topic.org/riotgrrrl

Chia Pet - Hey (Don't You Want Me) Baby

Feb 15, 2007
7 comments

Chia Pet - Hey Baby

Chia Pet

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Chia Pet - Don't You Want Me Baby

Chia Pet

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Here's a funny story about Chia Pet, they are all editors at Sassy Magazine. So when you think of hardcore Riot Grrls and DIY punks, you don't really think of preppy valley girls stuck in a cubicle!

That's why Chia Pet is the cutest girl band ever, like omigod! EVEN CUTER THAN BIS!

So anyway, having said that, I do have their entire discography of releases which consists of HEY BABY (EP) and TANNIS ROOT PRESENTS: FREEDOM OF CHOICE (Compilation, Various Artists).

On a side note, the Freedom of Choice CD contain some amazing covers by the Muffs (Rock and Roll Girl) and Superchunk (Girl you Want), and I highly recommend you to pick this up if you can find it.