Pt. 1: The Story of Cakeboy (formerly of Murder 1)

The two worlds of a man caught between history teacher and punk rock singer: The uncut story of Cakeboy (of Murder 1 fame) along with his thoughts and advice to bands and the NJ scene.

By Margarita Morales

Murder 1 used to be at the top of the New Jersey music scene and the whole music scene in general for that matter. Back in 1999 Murder 1 played with the biggest bands in the modern rock world, recorded a song with Kid Rock, released their second album "American Junkie," were getting played on commercial and college radio stations, and were destroying the clubs they played at with their antics and blend of aggressively, fun punk metal style. Murder 1 seemed to have it all. Then, one day in 2000 it all seemed to fall apart. How does a band with such a high stature lose it all and then have to rebuild themselves, and why is this coming up now you may ask? Well, after a stirring interview regarding the band, advice to other bands, and the music scene, all the answers were finally unveiled in a personal, uncensored interview with the former frontman of Murder 1, Cakeboy.

Having formed in 1995 as a blues/grunge band with original lead singer, DW Lee Fontan, Murder 1 later changed into a punk/metal band after Cakeboy joined. Despite his lack of singing experience, he managed to score the position as the bands vocalist while simultaneously teaching full-time. With Cakeboy's presence in the band it was necessary for them to change their sound from light and depressing to aggressive and fun in order to suit his different vocal style. To compensate for his lack of singing ability, Cakeboy would would perform various antics on stage - some which included burning posters, stage diving, decimating property, throwing smoke bombs, and lewd acts - that got the band in serious trouble and banned from several clubs.

As their priorities, music, and chemistry started changing, Murder 1 soon saw themselves headed for another turn. With these changes Cakeboy was enjoying the band less and less, especially after guitarist G-Money left the band. Although Cakeboy was trying to work on his various side projects, one of which included The Cakeboys, things still didn't work out and he left music altogether, making teaching his main priority. Murder 1 then went on without him, getting a new vocalist, changing members and making a genre change yet again to psychedelic-progressive rock.

Even though Cakeboy was a teacher before he joined Murder 1, he wants bands to understand that they should have a backup plan. Bands cannot expect to start a band with the idea of success on their minds, says Cakeboy. It is imperative that musicians have a backup plan just in case the band breaks up or it isn't enough to pay the bills. For Cakeboy he could have very easily quit teaching and stayed in Murder 1, but he chose what he says was "the harder path"- teaching, which he said he was more passionate about anyway.

As a former student of Cakeboy's I have been able to witness first hand his antics, passion, and incites in the classroom. Out of my four years in high school I had him for three years and throughout that time there was not a day that went by in which he wasn’t pulling a prank, telling a joke, making people laugh, or getting in trouble with administration to benefit his students. He worked in Newark, where he could help students and provide a fresh point-of-view to better the education system. He could very easily crack a joke, but when necessary he was very serious and strove to maintain order. To the Murder 1 fan, Cakeboy may have been seen as "this off the wall" rocker, but to the history student he is a rather interesting teacher whose aim is for his kids to be successful and who mixes his fun nature in to provide a comfortable learning environment.

He is not only a musician who stayed after shows to sign autographs and give advice to bands musically, but a teacher who stays after school in the homework lab and helps his students with work and gives them advice educationally. Having been able to balance being both a teacher and singer, Cakeboy is a testament that one can handle what they truly want to. The passion he had shown with his band correlates with his passion for educating his students. Cakeboy, stresses the importance of sticking to ones roots and oral communication in a technology advanced, money-driven world.

Having left the band arbitrarily, the story of Cakeboy never came out. At the end of my senior year I felt that it would be appropriate to interview Cakeboy, so his story was finally told, truthfully. Headed towards his forties and married, this once infamous singer reveals why he left music, lends his thoughts about the music scene, and the origins of his stage name and also the big one: he reveals his real name.

Pt. 2 Coming Soon

Label founder featured in 'The Setonian' newspaper

Label founder Margarita Morales was featured in Seton Hall University's The Setonian newspaper on last Thursday. Find out how the label started and what motivated her to keep going. Almost a year later, the label is going strong with 4 releases in 4 different formats under its belt.

http://www.thesetonian.com/pirate-life/seton-hall-graduate-creates-record-label-1.2905553#.UF5lP41lRpg

Candy Hearts bring sweet tunes on new album + Upcoming Brooklyn Shows

Candy Hearts is the sweetness your ears need. Candy Hearts (the band, not the heart candies with those little messages) is a 4-piece indie punk band featuring Mariel Loveland, a Ramsey, New Jersey native. But, the band is based out of Purchase, New York. The band is rounded out by Kris Hayes, Greg Baldwin, and Nick Noto. They remind me of the sweet pop/rock band Element 101, and pop/punk band Lemuria with a dash of The Weakerthans and Jawbreaker thrown in. 

The band deliver 13 infectiously catchy pop/punk and acoustic songs on their latest release Ripped Up Jeans & Silly Dreams. The beats are fast, but poppy and punky. These songs make me want to sing my little heart out. The lyrics speak of love, friendship, bad times, and good times. On "Block the Sunshine" Mariel sings “I'm still young and I want to stay in the sun.” One of the cutest songs is “You and me” that goes "We go to together like the alphabet and letters that spell out our names, so perfectly together.” There's something nice to listen for in each of the songs. 

  

“All the stories I write about are true, and I like to think people relate to it because of that,” Mariel says.  

Don Giovanni Records, a little history & Feb. 6 NYC showcase details w/ Shellshag, Forgettors, Screaming Females, plus four more

By Star Beat

“To me, a music scene is a community, a group of bands and fans and writers and clubs,” says Jim Testa of Jersey Beat. “It’s a very inter-connected system, all the different parts support each other. A lot of creating a good music scene is just a matter of the right people being in the right place at the right time.”

A scene is only as strong as the resources it has to keep it going. The New Brunswick, New Jersey music scene has held up pretty well albeit police stopping shows, limited spaces for shows, and trying to promote them. To that note, one might add that a record label helps the scene by exposing music not just within that scene but all over as well.

Such is the case with Don Giovanni Records. The New Brunswick based indie label was formed by Joe Steinhardt and Zach Gajewski in 2003. Joe was into the New Brunswick music scene and with the lack of real label support for its bands, he felt the need to do something. He wanted to see bands getting more distribution. That's where Don Giovanni comes in. The label showcases bands that reside both in and outside of New Brunswick, that includes parts of Brooklyn and the area around the Jersey shore. Catering to punk and hardcore music the label signed some of its first acts including, Talk Hard and Kamikaze. Most of the releases were 7-inch EPs, but by the time they started working with The Ergs! in 2005 release their first LP.

“We focus on that scene because that's where the most exciting bands are playing,” Steinhardt says. “There's a saying in writing that goes: you write what you know. If I'm going to put a lot of energy, time, and money into it, then I have to go with what I know, not what I think I can sell.”

The passion him and his team of five have put behind the label has shown over its 7 year history. While the label may not work with a ton of bands, the bands they do work with they are dedicated to.

Read rest of the story below.

Operatika help bring symphonic metal back to NJ, show w/ Paul Dianno (Iron Maiden) in NYC

New Jersey is known for it's punk, hardcore, post-hardcore, and metal scenes, among others. While, the metal scene features bands like The Dillinger Escape, God Forbid, and more recently Mutiny Within, there's one band that stands out. That band is Operatika, a symphonic metal band. The U.S. hasn't seemed to catch onto the sonic assault of the genre. While some may differ, this genre of metal seems to be a bit more intriguing as keyboard is used, there are orchestral parts, dual mal/female vocals at times, and concept albums or epic songs.

Most of the big names out there are Nightwish and Stratovarius from Finland or other bands from Europe. Symphony X is the only other symphonic/progressive metal band hailing from New Jersey that I've heard of. As a matter of fact, the band recruited Symphony X's bassist Michael Lepond. It's refreshing to come across a band, especially one with two male and two female musicians, that's operating in a heavily flooded music scene.

What's a little sad is the band doesn't seem to play shows all that often. Every now and again they'll perform at Dingbatz in Clifton or B.B. King Blues Club, but they don't seem to be out there as much as they should. Their label, Scarlet Records is based out of Italy and put out their 2008 release, The Calling, but where's the American love?

At any rate, Operatika will perform with Paul Dianno (original vocalist for Iron Maiden) and Icarus Witch at B.B. Kings Blues Club on Jan. 27. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. The show is all ages and starts at 8pm. It's Dianno's first U.S. tour in 15 years and Operatika's first since September.

The band recently release a new song called "Life Saving Flame" on their MySpace. Their last album, This Calling was released in 2008.

Loyal Listener, Loyal Friend: How friends & music tie together- why I support indie music

By Star Beat

For the fan, once is not enough. You keep rooting for your favorite team and attend games. You keep buying your favorite band’s music and attend their concerts. You keep reading your favorite author’s books and attend their book readings. It’s this continuous, loyal bond that you form that might be mild or extreme. This “fandom” serves to mostly entertain us. But often times we can feel great empowerment, a sense of hope, and familiarity with what another person has created or their ability. This is a very powerful thing. If it stays with us for so long, then we’re hooked. We’re influenced. There’s no denying that. For me, I feel that I have this need to be loyal. This is mostly manifested through my personal life, where I am loyal to friends and family. When there is no family or friends, there’s music, always. Music is loyal to me, so I’m loyal to it.

Music is my best friend. So when I find a band that reflects my emotions and has a sound that captures me, I’m hooked. There aren’t many bands that’ll move me to purchase their music, buy merchandise, attend their concerts, promote them, or even want to tattoo something about them on myself. Being a freelance writer doesn’t allow me to really have several bands that I can invest that much money into, so I have a few that I truly support. But it’s not only a financial investment, it can be an emotional investment as well. A particular song can be the one that you go to when you need to feel better or one to remind you that life is too short to worry all the time. For those that promote the bands they love, it can be a way to improve one’s writing skills , gain communication skills, interact with others, and so fourth. It takes a lot of time to devote all this into music. But it’s all for the love of the art. It’s really a beautiful thing.

See below for rest of the article.

I can’t help but want to go to every Screaming Females or Kevin Devine show. If I don’t, I feel bad. The band most likely won’t know, but I know and it’s not good enough if I miss a show. I feel like I have to apologize and explain myself. It’s like when I can’t go to one of my friend’s engagements. It bums me out. It really gets personal. And the thing is, I know I can get personal with these particular musicians. They’re not huge rockstars. I have access to them. I can’t imagine spending 100 dollars to see some huge rockstar in an arena. That just doesn’t do it for me. I’m more of a personal person. I need that close connection. That’s where it’s at. I need to feel the crowd pressed up on me, sweaty. That’s a show. But I do think there is a difference between a “show” and a “concert.” A show is thrown around in a very loose manner. It’s not as organized, well at least not in the same manner a “concert” might be organized. A show might be a basement show or a club show or a hall show. A concert is like Madison Square Garden or perhaps The Starland Ballroom. But I think bigger venues like PNC Bank Arts Center and Jones Beach count as concerts more than Starland. There is a substantial difference in cost, stage size, lighting, sound, and audience. There are different expectations and generally “shows” cater to rock, maybe even hip-hop shows. It’s very organic and there’s no need to be perfect. The bigger shows are mostly arena rock bands and pop music. They are organized very specifically, there's usually some sort of big light show or costume changes or something, more than just bands playing music. Concerts are not as raw as shows.

I’m more willing to support up-and-coming/local, unsigned bands than I am for bands that already have gained a decent support system, are established and signed to a record label. But I also support indie rock bands and those on smaller labels like Don Giovanni, Run For Cover, Quote Unquote. I like the idea of helping out local bands. I feel I am doing them a service. I love huge acts like Metallica, Alice in Chains, U2, Muse, Interpol, etc, but if I see them once, I'm satisfied. I've had amazing times seeing Muse and Interpol live, but not enough to have me coming back. It's different because of relationship.

Another way to look at this relationship and level of fandom is as a friend. I don't feel I'm "friends" with these bigger bands, so that's why I feel less inclined to see them more than once. Friend is used very loosely these days. One of my “friends” said that it needs a new word. "Friend" defined as the person you trust, can talk to, share interests with, hang out with, love, is too special to be lumped in with myspace friend or following friends, people you might barely know. With social networking, it’s as though anyone can be called a “friend.” But its definition has changed. But the point I’m trying to make is that, in some way, the same way you care for someone, it becomes similar with music. I stay closely connected with my favorite bands and artists. I want to know what they are up to, where they are touring. I want to read their interviews, buy their merchandise, etc. just like with a friend, who I’ll ask, “how are you?,” “Let’s hang out,” etc. shows can get canceled, just like plans with friend can get canceled. I also understand that's because of my curious and caring nature. For those bands I really love, I want to form a relationship with them, however small. It makes it that much better. It's hard to be everywhere, every time, but I try my best. Just be consistent, personally ask me to see your band or your performance, and be active about it. It’s cool to be able to promote and hang out at shows with Kristia of Exit She Calls, high five Marissa of Screaming Females every time I see her, chat with Angie (Cheeky, Little Lungs, Each Other's Mothers), interview my favorite bands, and e-mail some of my favorite musicians. It’s fun. It’s music. It’s a relationship. And this star is loyal as fuck when it comes to that. Star Beat Music, we dare to care.

Thoughts?

Cheeky get outta here and play last shows in NJ & Brooklyn- review, pics & video

Cheeky @ Death by Audio

story by Star Beat
photos by Konstantin Sergeyev

Last summer I saw a band at the legendary, now re-located Knitting Factory in its original Tribeca NYC location. That band was fast, short (in song), maybe in height to, punk, and some might say Cheeky. Yes, Brooklyn's Cheeky was opening a killer night of music at the tap bar space of the knit. It was a sold out show that also featured Bridge & Tunnel, Lemuria, The Ergs!, and Bomb the Music Industry! I wasn’t familiar with any of the bands that performed, but being the avid show-goer I am I went with a good friend who invited me. The $8 show was totally worth it when the raucous, catchy goodness of Cheeky came on. I couldn’t help but move around. They were an easy band to get into. “Get outta here, leave me alone," singer Kate Eldridge sang. Straight-forward to the point, blunt tunes were the driving force behind this 4-piece.

After the set I bought the Chock on a cheeseburger cd for $3 from Eldridge. I was shocked at A) how cheap it was B) that I was buying off the singer/guitarist. What was even more shocking was when I found out that the cd was available for free on-line. What band/label gives their music out for free, I thought? I guess that's the norm for Quote UnQuote and other indie distro places. This was all a little absurd to me at the time, but I handed over the three bills. Kate was thankful and we chatted a bit before I checked out the rest of the show, which was pretty sweet. I really attribute this show as getting me into the Brooklyn/New Brunswick punk scenes.

Fast-forward to October when the band announced they were breaking up. It damn near broke my heart. I felt like I just started listening to these bands and now I wouldn't get to see them anymore. So many other Brooklyn bands like the Besties and Eldridge's other band Used Kids had announced their break-ups recently to. Rock and the Single Girl was somewhat sad, yet hopeful about this "break up." Jamie made a good observation when she said:

I've noticed that in this particular community, this 'scene' if you will, bands don't really 'break up'. Bands come and go, projects start and stop, and everyone kind of plays with everyone. When one of these bands stops playing, it's not this big thing, because everyone knows that new bands, new projects, and new music will come from it. There's something almost refreshing about this zen-like, anti-ego approach to making music.

Sure. Angie's doing her thing with Little Lungs and Each Other's Mothers as well as a new band and Kate E. is in another band, and that's all, as far as I know. So it's always good that members are still creating music. Maybe I'm making this a 'big thing' writing this big story, but I must give due credit to a band that opened my ears to such a supportive music community.

See below for the rest of the story, photos, and video.


Cheeky frequently played New Brunswick, NJ and hometown Brooklyn shows, some of which I was fortunate to attend. I learned that these scenes were really about bringing bands and friends together for a good time. I was fortunate to see them twice in a New Brunswick basement.

They didn't seem to make too much noise about their departure, but announced three last shows in what I'd consider some of 'the' best punk communities. They would play the Fest on Oct. 30 in Gainesville, FL, Pet Cemetery in New Brunswick, NJ on Nov. 27, and Death by Audio in Brooklyn, NY on Nov. 28. These places are where the core of their fanbase seem to be, so it's obvious places to play.

I was at the Brooklyn show where Zombie Dogs, Stupid Party, Slingshot Dakota, and Stupid Party also played. It was great seeing so many familiar faces, friends, and bands. In attendace were members from Vivian Girls, Bridge & Tunnel, and the Measure (SA). Zombie Dogs played a 15-minute hardcore set and if I'm not mistaken did a cover of Minor Threats "Screaming at a wall." "Thrashin" was a good one to. Stupid Party were next and I only heard bits and pieces of them, but they sounded heavier than I remember. Almost metal/doom rock tinged. Next was Slingshot Dakota who I made sure to get up front for. Last time I saw them they were great despite the vocals not sounding the best. Here the band sounded awesome. I bopped around during "The Golden Ghost," "Until the Day I Die," "Ohio," "White Couch," and "Michael Jordan Saved My Life." They also played a cover of Fugazi's "Waiting Room" and sent it out to Cheeky. They closed with "I-78." During the set before "Ohio" drummer Tom said that he appreciates playing all ages space and places like Death By Audio are great. He said it's important to have all ages spaces and that nobody should be denied from attending a show. It fits with the line in that song, " You made a home for everyone." After wards duo Shellshag performed, but I needed fresh air and a cup of tea, so I missed the set.

I came back minutes before Cheeky would go into "He-Man Woman Hater." There was crowd surfing, moshing, fist pumping, and singing along-what you'd expect at a punk show! They played all of Choke on a Cheeseburger, a few songs off their latest What the Heck and the single "Deal With It." “Look at You” was the first new song they played. “I don’t like you,” Eldridge shouts. On “Deal With It” she sings, “You are so out of line.” The lyrical declarations are blunt, giving off a somewhat angry tone, yet it's just Cheeky being Cheeky. On “Grow Fins, Turkey” the crowd went nuts. A few crowd surfers and even one stage diver were having fun. Before launching into "Get Outta Here," drummer Angie said "We're Cheeky. This is for all our friends." The crowd chanted for an encore after. "Cheeky. Cheeky. Cheeky." Bassist Kate Wadkins called Jeff Rosentock from Bomb The Music Industry to the stage to perform a cover of The Descendents "Coffee Mug."

Cheeky may not have toured extensively or released that much music, but they were apart of a punk rock scene and made catchy as hell songs. Judging from the packed 'venues,' dancing, and smiles I saw both in person and via youtube, I can tell this band left a nice mark.

Cheeky is Kate Eldridge on guitar and vocals, Brian Schleyer on guitar, Kate Wadkins on bass, and Angie Boylan on drums.

Break-ups are sad, but Cheeky said it best: "deal with it."

Cheeky in Brooklyn 11-28-09


Cheeky in New Brunswick 11-27-09


Cheeky in Brooklyn 11-28-09


Cheeky in Brooklyn 11-28-09 "Get Outta Here" & "Coffee Mug"

Zombie Dogs 8:50-9:05pm
Stupid Party 9:15-9:45pm?
Slingshot Dakota 10-10:35pm?
Shellshag 10:50-11:20?
Cheeky 11:35pm-12:10pm

Cheeky Setlist:

1. He-Man Woman Hater
2. Look At You (new)
3. Normal (new)
4. Bad Mood
5. Deal With It
6. Get Off My Back (new)
7. Weird World
8. Can’t Stand the World (new)
9. Grow Fins, Turkey
10. Small Snails
11. Get Outta Here
--
Encore: Coffee Mug (cover) The Descendants

Tom Tom Magazine Debuts First Issue about Female Drummers + Photos

(Gina-Marie Scardino of Guts for Garters)

photos & story by StarBeat

Tom Tom Strives to inspire!

Frankie Rose. Ali Koehler. Tobi Vail. Meg White. What do these four have in common? All these ladies play behind the kit, the drum kit that is, and rock the beat. Drummers Frankie (formerly of Crystal Stilts, now in Dum Dum Girls) and Ali Koehler of Vivian Girls are both featured in the first issue of Tom Tom Magazine, an endeavor spearheaded by drummer herself Mindy Abovitz.

Where there is a void, there is a need to fill that void and Tom Tom does just that. Mindy has created a magazine that focuses on the female drummer. Always keeping active and fighting for what is right, the self-proclaimed drummer of 10 years started the magazine to showcase the talents of many of the local drummers in Brooklyn, but to publicize female drummers from all over in the world in an accessible, printable format that is also supported on-line. It serves a tri-purpose in that it raises awareness about female percussionists, aims to inspire females to drum, and also provides techniques, information, and resources for them.

Who better to launch a magazine devoted to female drummers, than a female drummer herself? Abovitz has been playing drums for nearly a decade, consuming her life around music and also seeking to improve her craft. She’s currently in Taigaa, Hot Box, More Teeth, and Chica Vas, plus works with Vibe Song Makers and engineers at East Village Radio. With no prior magazine experience, but a drive to showcase the talents of female drummers, she confided in her close associate of contacts to get the magazine going.

Abovitz said she started the magazine because she’s a drummer and feminist who really wanted to see female musicians get more exposure.

Curious to see how much information on female drummers was on the web, I did a simple Google search. I typed in "female drummers." The top results included: A link to wiki answers asking are there really professional female drummers? Another question was asked from tribe.net on why are there so few female drummers. Wikipedia had an entry on female American rock drummers and Tom Tom magazine came up to. This is telling.

“There’s hardly any representation of female musicians in the media, period, mainstream or off mainstream, and particularly no representation of female drummers,” she says.

Starting from modest means as a blog site, the magazine evolved into an actual website, then a full-fledged print publication with its first issue released in November.

“I’m an ‘80s kid, so the Internet wasn't big when I was growing up- books and magazines were,” Abovitz says. “So I still have an affinity toward material objects. It legitimizes something when you put it into print. I can’t exactly explain why, but I wanted that legitimacy. I wanted it to be even realer than an online magazine.”

The magazine is also a way to empower and connect women and girls who might be interested in drumming, but are too afraid to otherwise.

“Ideally the magazine will fuel a fire in women and girls everywhere who feel 'less than' or 'unsure' to pick up a pair of sticks and bang," she says. "To hone their craft with confidence and determination. To play whatever it is, in their lives, with strength and to eventually lead others. Drummers are powerful timekeepers who need to lead their band. They are typically the loudest and their work is the most physically straining. The women and girls that embrace this position in the band, are to me, perfect examples of an empowered female.”

A very ambitious Abovitz has worked to involve herself in music and this magazine. If you want to help out in anyway, click here for more information.

Tom Tom hosted a release party at Bruar Falls in Brooklyn on Nov. 8 with Each Others Mothers, Zombie Dogs, Painted Faces, and a DJ set by Telepathe. There will be issue release parties four times a year and benefit shows through the year featuring female percussionists, so keep a watch out.

This year alone I saw a number of bands with female drummers, such as Shiragirl, Shellshag, Zombie Dogs, Each Others Mothers, Songs for Moms, Vivian Girls, Cheeky, Trophy Wife, The Curtains of Night, Matt & Kim, Demander, Ina Ina (now Guts for Garters), Taigaa, Black Wine, and Ben Franklin. It goes to show you that females drummers are out there, no doubt about that. It's good to see a publication focused on a market that has yet to be tapped.

Issue 1 is out now! You'll get 20 pages in color and interviews with Andrya Ambro of Talk Normal, Allison Busch of Awesome Color, photos, technique tips, and more! Tom Tom is available here. The magazine can also be picked up at St. Marks Bookstore and Bluestockings in New York, NY and Main Drag Music and Cinders Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, as well Buy Olympia in Portland, OR and Girls Rock in Paris, France.

Kathi of Hand Jobs/ Zombie Dogs (Brooklyn, NY)
@ Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY

Katy Otto of Trophy Wife (Washington, D.C.)
@ Meat Town USA, New Brunswick, NJ

Lauren Fitzpatrick of The Curtains of Night (Chapel, NC)
@ Meat Town USA, New Brunswick, NJ

Tom Tom for Lovers!

Vivian Girls on Jeopardy??, playing NYC's Bowery Ballroom on May 11th

Vivian Girls "Tell the World" @South Street Seaport, NYC. 9/7/08


by Star Child

After eating a nice fish dinner on Good Friday, I snuggled under my sheets for a nap. I was about 60 percent asleep, when I heard mom say, "Jeopardy's on." I rolled in my bed, "uh, I'll wake up for the final question." Moments later, she uttered the words, "Punk rock." I immediately knew that meant, "punk rock" was a category on the show. I jumped out of bed quickly and ran into her room. But I had been deceived. The category she was referring to was actually "arts and leisure." Then suddenly an answer came up. (Note: Apparently it was the category "New York Times" where the question appeared). I don't remember it exactly so I'll just say what it said as a question, if I had to paraphrase and put it simply:

What New York borough is Vivian Girls from?

The man answered, "what is the bronx?," all the while I kept saying, "BROOKLYN." No one else answered. I feel honored to have seen this band back in January at New Brunswick's Court Tavern with Screaming Females to a room of about 50. I didn't realize these 3 shoegazing punk rock girls were big enough to have a Jeopardy question, now that's cool. Mom was right, a punk rock question did appear. But I figured that none of the contestants would get the question. I believe Vivian Girls' audience is 20 something year olds. The contestants had to be in there 30's and 40's, so it's an interesting question. I think it was a $400 dollar question, which made is seem easy, but I think it'd be $1,000.

This reminded me of when a pokemon question appeared on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? a decade ago. The man had no clue and the question was for $500, 000. The question was:

Which of the following characters is not considered a Pokémon?

A: Jigglypuff
B: Frodo
C: Squirtle
D: Pikachu

Every kid in America was shouting, "Frodo," but the contestant had no clue. This was a bit alarming. I would've thought it'd be $32,000. It wasn't that hard considering Lord of the Rings is well known. We know Frodo is the hobbit, so that obviously has to be it, right?. Even if he didn't watch pokemon, I thought it'd be easy to spot Frodo. I hope there were other college kids that were shouting out, "BROOKLYN."

Thoughts?

Vivian Girls will perform at New York's Bowery Ballroom with Times New Viking and Stupid Party on May 11th. Tickets are available here.

The band is all over the map touring. They're currently out with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, then they'll be playing the Coachella Music Festival, followed by a tour with Abe Vigoda and then they are headed abroad.

Women’s History Month Special Report: Part II

Female voices debunk stereotypes in music and discuss gender

The band name confusion

Vivian Girls. Morning After Girls. Theoretical Girls. Parenthetical Girls. Brazilian Girls. U.S. Girls. Shiragirl. GIRLS. WOMEN. Screaming Females.

Blogger Abbey Braden on Psychopedia.com pointed out that there are lots of new bands with a reference to ‘girl’ in their name, but does this mean more females in music? Maybe. But three of these 10 bands don’t have a female in the band.

Morning After Girls, Screaming Females, Vivian Girls, and Shiragirl explain their band name.

“People are very hasty to label something, and they really do believe everything they read,” Morning After Girls said on Psychopedia.Com. “I've always been interested in human beings’ tendency to take for granted ‘a priori’ meanings and definitions of words or a group of words. So, yes, many people do indeed do a double take [trying to find a female in the band]. But c'mon people, you can do better than that.”

Marissa Paternoster of New Brunswick, New Jersey’s Screaming Females said that her band’s name doesn’t mean anything in particular.

“We named our band after a random line in a book of poetry,” she said. Phonetically it sounds cool, it’s simple. It didn't have any kind of weird connotation that made us uncomfortable. To me Screaming Females means a rock ‘n roll band. I guess the first time you hear it you take it literally, as I am a screaming female or it’s an awkward name because I scream. I don't think I screamed ever, when the band first started, but at the time I was still female,” she said with a laugh. “People misinterpret it as a literal translation of what we are, when there’s one screaming female, and I definitely don't want all the attention on me because of a weird coincidence.”

Vivian Girls named their band after Henry Darger's Vivian Girls, the band notes on Braden’s blog entry, who “were actually girls with penises, so us naming our band after them is a pretty similar thing to male bands naming themselves Women or Girls.”
Shiragirl originally came from lead singer Shira’s name. Her name means “song” in Hebrew and also refers to “princess of power,” from the 1985 television series, She-Ra.

“A lot of people find it to be an empowering name,” she said. “I wanted a website and that’s one of the websites that was available. People started calling me Shiragirl, so it started organically, then I got into an all girl band and we stayed with the name. It’s telling of who we are. I was into riot grrrl, so it fits with that. I think that the word ‘girl’ doesn’t have to mean cheesy or weak, I think it can be an empowering thing.”

Women’s History Month Special Report: Part I

Female voices debunk stereotypes in music and discuss gender
By: Star Child

March celebrates Women’s History Month, a time where we look at the accomplishes of women in the fields of literature, politics, sociology, and so fourth, but I feel that we overlook musicians, particularly in rock music, who have shaped and paved a way for more females to come into the scene. It seems we brush over this. In this piece we hear from females in rock, punk, and hip hop music, as well as a music professor, book author, and riot grrrl enthusiast about the struggles women face, stereotypes, gender equality, and feminism, which sheds light on the importance of understanding and learning about Women’s History Month.


A little history & Women’s History Month

Since the origins of rock n’ roll, female musicians have made some headway. Men first started playing blues and jazz music, with females really focused on singing in groups, as opposed to playing instruments. But as time went by, more females started playing rock music and were picking up instruments. It’s interesting how far we’ve come in rock music and although we often don’t hear about many women rockers, there certainly are many, you just have to be proactive about seeking out the bands because they’re not in the forefront of the media and many are unsigned, d.i.y. spirited bands like Screaming Females, Shiragirl, and Throwing Muses who we talk to later.

Seton Hall University adjunct music professor, guitarist and vocalist Carol Hamersma says:

“I think it’s really important that the women who playing, are given a little exposure because it’s all about role models for young girls and women. You get the idea, ‘oh this is something I can do’ because at first women were seen primarily as vocalists, then pianists, keyboardists. Those were early acceptable role models for women. But now you see women really trying everything.”

Shira of the punk/hip hop group, Shiragirl thinks Women’s History Month is a great idea.

“I think anything helps as far as awareness and visibility,” she said. “You hear a lot more about Black History Month then you do about Women’s History Month. It’s not very well publicized or talked about it seems. I think it’s a great time to bring up awareness for charity causes, like women’s cancer. I don’t have anything against it. A lot of people might say, ‘oh, well, why do we need a month, is every other month men’s month?,’ but it never hurts to have a platform to discuss things.”

Lead singer/guitarist Kristia Moya of Exit She Calls thinks it’s unfair that Women’s History Month is not mentioned a lot. She said that when she was in high school “it wasn’t really brought up a lot and I think it should be, because it’s supposed to remind me of the accomplishments that women have made in the past and present, which helps make it possible for us to do the same for our future generation.”

Guitarist and vocalist Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave has a similar reaction.

“I certainly do get angry and bitter historically,” she said. “I would love for things to be different already and perfect for women now. I would love for us all to be considered humans and not our gender.”

“I am often compared to Patti Smith and Sylvia Plath, which is crazy to me. I think it’s very sexist. I have nothing to do with either of those people, taken as people, but because they’re my gender they group us together, as if that’s really all you need in order to be compared to someone is to have a gender in common. I can appreciate it if we need a month to start focusing on historical problems; say, ‘ok this is what needs change ultimately’.”

Part II on the band name confusion coming tonight at 5:30pm.

What to do on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day by Linkin Park


This year Valentine’s Day falls nicely on a Saturday. With one week away, many of you might still be looking for something to do on this sweet holiday. If you want to indulge your love or yourself in something atypical, then head to a show. Whether you’re a couple looking for good music to see or singles just wanting to get out, there are a number of shows going on in New Jersey and New York City.

Looking for an early show in Jersey? Not into the whole Valentine’s Day deal? Check out The Love Sucks Fest at Post 282 in Harrison, New Jersey at 4pm, featuring some of New Jersey’s rock acts of all genres. Performing is Exit She Calls, Burden Broke Our Wings, Before The Collision, Above All Fallen, Dear Japan Love Enola, Freshman Sunday, Melatonin, Ruina, Burn The Bishop. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Jerseyians can also check out Montclair's blues/indie rock outfit Bern & The Brights who is playing a free, 21+ show at Lucky 7 Tavern with Niall Connolly, and Copesetic. Music starts at 8pm. Then, later DJ Leonards Smalls and friends spin from 11pm until close.

For those looking for something different there’s The Legendary Shack Shakers and O’Death at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. This one’s all ages. 9:30pm start. $10.

For those in Brooklyn looking for a pop-rock show, the AbsolutePunk tour is at Public Assembly. The all ages show features Go Crash Audio, The Sophomore Attempt, and That was something in the front room space. Doors at 4pm, $10.

For 21+ couples looking for a lighter night in Brooklyn, seeing Melissa Ferrick and Anne Heaton at The Bell House might be your cup of tea. This is a special seated event, first come, first served. Doors are at 7:30pm. $15 for one ticket, $25 for couples. Tickets available here.

If you’re looking to rock out, Panache’s V-Day extravaganza at the Cake Shop might be for you. The event features New Brunswick’s Screaming Females, White Blue Yellow Clouds, The Aamerican Tenants, and DJ Name Names aka Ian Svenonius. For $8 you get four bands, drink specials, and a dance party after the show. 21+. 9pm.

Is there anything else? What are you going to be doing on V-day?