Interview with Iskra Valentine: Founder of Varietease

Every so often in life you are lucky enough to cross paths with someone that inspires you, someone that you click with in a way that doesn't frequently happen. You realise that you have similar ideas and ideals, and you can bounce these back and forth between each other. I guess you could say it is a meeting of the minds. For me, Iskra Valentine is one of those people. Based in Perth, Western Australia, Iskra organises and runs the series of Varietease shows. These events showcase live performances of many different kinds, as well as a variety of stalls. In this interview she discusses the shows as well as the concept of neo burlesque.

To start off with, I asked Iskra what her favourite musicians / bands are. In regards to burlesque performances she responded: "The Dresden Dolls, Ruth Brown, Patti Smith, Blondie, and Peaches." Generally?: "Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, The Clash, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds." Locally?: "Tomas Ford, Zx Specky, Hayley Beth, Strychnine Cowboys and Aaagh! Bats!"


What does it mean to you to be a subcultural girl?:

"It's who I am and in saying that, it just is. It's pretty hard to describe something accurately when you don’t even know you’re a part of it. Being a subcultural girl has it's amazing moments like being able to connect with others like yourself almost instantly over small things like new issues of a webzine, film festivals, obscure bands, strange crafts etc. Then there are moments where you feel completely out of place, alone and uncomfortable in your own skin wishing you didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Like everything else in life, it has it's ups and downs."


Tell me about why you decided to start the Varietease shows?:

"I was sick to death of people complaining about how Perth was dead and uncultured and how everyone with a slight interest in the arts should just up and leave for Melbourne. Gandhi once said that we should be the change we wanted to see and I didn't see why this little mantra couldn't apply to everything around us. In October 2008, my friend Bridget Moore and I decided to put together our first show. Bridget and I had met a few years ago at a Dresden Dolls gig and the marriage of music and performance art had left quite an impact on both of us. With help from our friends on the Perth band scene like Fanny Adams, Red Music, Strychnine Cowboys, and The Brow, we began to morph our concept into reality. We had always been interested in burlesque and so we decided to add a couple of our original routines into the mix as well. The result was quite amazing and unexpected with about a hundred people turning up to our first show. It was then I knew we had our fingers on the pulse of something big!"

"I come from a country where women shouldn't be seen or heard so I guess something like Varietease was bound to manifest itself in my life sooner or later. The idea behind Varietease has always been to provide a platform for performers from all artistic walks to come together for one night and show people that Perth is not devoid of talent. I find it insulting when people say Perth is dead because they have obviously not met all the awesome people I have met while organizing these show. Apathy is something I am terrified of and Varietease gives me an escape from it. At the risk of sounding like a sap, the show has helped me grow and survive through some pretty terrible things that have come my way over the last year. I can only hope that it does something similar for anyone else who decides to get involved."



© Carla Adams 2008

What do you wish to accomplish with the shows?:

"I want Varietease to create a sense of community amongst performers on the Perth scene, be it Burlesquers, clowns, mimes, performance artists, musicians, designers, or poets. Everyone is welcome to be a part of the show. There’s nothing more I want than providing someone with their lucky break, a chance to show themselves and others their true potential."

"When I first started performing as a neo burlesque artist I remember wanting somewhere to perform but never knowing whom to approach. I hope that someone in the same position today would use Varietease as that launch pad that was never there for me. For art to be put on hold because there isn’t anywhere for an artist to go is simply not good enough. I hope Varietease will be the antithesis to apathy that is so prevalent amongst people these days and that it helps make things a little easier for talented people who are just getting started."

"I’d also like to see more women and men (yes, MEN) hit the stage with their own take on burlesque. Contrary to popular belief, there are no gender, size, or race restrictions to burlesque. With neo burlesque, the horizons are broadened even further to incorporate different subcultures and modern music. I really want to see how far performers can take things using their background, experiences and imagination."



© Matt Hanson 2009

How does your concept of neo burlesque differ from burlesque in general?:

"My take on neo-burlesque might not be the general consensus on the matter. To me, neo-burlesque is not necessarily a departure from classical burlesque. Rather, it incorporates elements of modern culture with classic theory and practice to create something new altogether."

"I remember the comments made by a member of the audience at my first performance two years ago. I performed a routine to "Mandy Goes to Med School" by the Dresden Dolls- not exactly a very traditional burlesque number. As I joined my friends at the bar, the punter took a moment to explain that while she found my performance enjoyable, she also felt a bit ripped off because she was expecting feather fans, boas, glitter, tassels and crazy props not some chick dressed up as a nurse doing a routine about abortion and the right to choose. I guess that to me summed up the difference between what I was doing and what people considered burlesque to be and it's a shame that the two are not seen as complementary by the mainstream audience."

"There is a misconception that in order to be considered a burlesque artist you have to be a Dita Von Teese clone, and I mean no disrespect to Miss Von Teese when I say this. I have seen over the last few years what I like to call “The McBurlesque”. Suddenly, burlesque is all about buying seamed stockings, feather fans, corsetry and doing balloon pop/fan dances/ chair dances to old jazz/R&B, swing, and rockabilly tunes. I have nothing but appreciation for those who conserve and practice the classical form of burlesque but I do not think that being a retro hobbyist needs to be a prerequisite to being a burlesque artist. To me, Neo burlesque has no boundaries. There are no requirements as to gender, sexuality, race, culture, style or genre of music. It is the free expression of ones self set to whatever music tickles your fancy in whatever costume serves it's purpose. One of my favourite performers from Brisbane, Tiara Merchgirl, performs burlesque routines in traditional Malaysian garments and regularly features cultural identity as the subject of her burlesque performances. Likewise my other favourite burlesque artist, Beatrix von Bourbon, a regular on the international burlesque circuit performs her take on Sally Rand’s fan dance to Tori Amos' "Winter"."

"The word burlesque means "to turn things on its head". Neo burlesque simply finds new ideas and ways to accomplish this."



© Matt Hanson 2009


What can an audience expect at one of the Varietease shows?:

"The name says it all. Varietease -a sexy variety of art forms from every angle. There is so much Perth has to offer by way of music, performers and art it would be impossible to run out of options. Expect homegrown brilliance from quirky performance artists, energetic bands, talented designers and a whole lot more."


What would you like to see more subcultural girls out there doing?:

"Taking risks and incentive when it comes to something you're passionate about. That and being supportive of themselves and other girls. It is only too often that women fall into the trap of competing with themselves and other women to "be the best" when frankly there never was a competition. The sooner we get over that mentality, the sooner we can channel the wasted energy into something productive, wholesome and useful."


So there you have it! I was lucky enough to attend Iskra's second installment of her Varietease shows, and it was very entertaining as well as being a lot of fun. So if you live in Perth, be sure to keep an eye out for when the next one is being held so you can have an awesome night out!

At this point in time the next Varietease will be held on Friday the 26th of February at The Castle (111 Newcastle Street, Northbridge). This time it's titled: Varietease III: Fuck Forever- The anti Valentine's Day show cupid was warned about.


Photo © Zeb Idris 2010
Also, please note that W.A. Roller Derby will be having a stall instead of Perth Roller Derby.

Check out the Varietease myspace: http://www.myspace.com/varieteaseproductions

As well as Iskra's fan page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iskra-Valentine/93509145172

Interview conducted by Sally Kingsley

Not Just Boys Fun- Article by Lisa Jansen

“Not Just Boys Fun” - 7 Seconds

Man you’ve gotta problem, who made you fuckin’ king
A macho pig with nothing in your head.
No girls around you, their place is not at gigs,
Don’t want ‘em on the dance floor ‘cos they’re weak.
A woman’s place: the kitchen, on her back,
It’s time to change that attitude, and quick.

Showing us your phobias, you’re scared to see ‘em think,
You’d rather dress ‘em up in pretty lace,
All nice and colored pink.
You feel so fucking threatened,
When they stand out in front,
A stupid, passive piece of meat is all you really want
But it’s:
Not just boys’ fun

There’s girls who put out fanzines, others put on shows,

Yet they’re not allowed to get out on the floor.

Some make the music, well that you can accept.
Hell, maybe live you’ll get some tits and ass
You fucking moron, your brains have run amuck,
A girl’s only lot in life is not to fuck!


This reminds me of something that happened to me a few months ago. I was sitting at the bar after being done with bartending (I volunteer at a concert venue). Two members of a certain German band (one of them being in a relationship) and their roadie came up to me and pretty much asked me on the fly if I wanted to have sex with them.

They were not joking.

I was so shocked and disgusted at the same time, I could only look at them and laugh at the stupidity of their question. Then they tried to convince me to come to their hotel by telling me they had lots of weed and booze. First of all: I live in Holland. IF I wanted to do drugs, which I don’t, I could get them at every fucking street corner. Secondly: why would a few bottles of intoxicating liquid convince me to come over to a hotel room to fuck with three men I have never seen before or spoken to in my entire life?

I just laughed them off, not knowing what to say or what to think. That night when I finally got home, I realized that this incident didn’t ‘just’ disgust or shock me. Most of all I felt insulted. Why on earth would I let three men shove their (probably already overused) penises inside me, simply because they can stand on a stage and hold a freakin’ guitar? Why would they even think I would let them go ahead and use me for a deed that should be about loving and caring, like it’s no big deal? Do I look this available or is it just because I am a girl? Is this their normal routine when it comes to girls? Did every single girl they approached before me say yes and let three men take advantage of her lack of dignity? Her lack of pride, her lack of realization that she is in fact a woman and not a powerless creature born to lend her body to assholes like these just because they were born with a dick?

I’m sick of being treated like a freaking blow up doll at shows. I’m not there to fuck every boy with a mohawk or a visible tattoo, I’m not there to score punxrawk scene points and I’m definitely not there just to be seen and show off my ‘coolness’. I’m there because I love music and I want to meet people who are into the same stuff as I am, it’s simple as that. When I walk to the front of the stage and get into the pit, boys automatically assume I got lost in the crowd and ‘safely’ push me outside. When people stand close to each other at bigger shows, I feel men grabbing my ass. I don’t know why I wouldn’t have the rights to experience a show the same way as guys do.

Of course I do not want to generalize all the guys who visit shows, because when I go to concerts the main part of the audience doesn’t treat me like inferior shit. I just wish the guys who did treat me like I’m a prostitute handing out gift vouchers for free sex would think twice the next time they verbally raped me or any other girl out there who has or hasn’t experienced similar things as I did.

Thank you for listening.

Written by Lisa Jansen, originally posted in her Tumblr: http://smashtrash.tumblr.com

This is the link to the original entry:
http://smashtrash.tumblr.com/post/241755080/kimclit-iisabelle-not-just-boys-fun-7

Film review: Thank You Skinhead Girl

'Thank You Skinhead Girl' is a short documentary film written, directed, produced and edited by Sharon Woodward. It primarily focuses on the experiences Sharon had as a skinhead girl in her youth. It is a tribute to her years as a skinhead girl, and what they provided for her. She chats to two other women, and they discuss their experiences as skinhead girls. The three women were all skinheads in different time periods. Ali Palmer-Smith was a skinhead in its early days, from 1969 to 1972, Sharon Woodward, who is also the film maker, was a skinhead in the Two Tone revival days, 1979 to 1983, and finally, Bridget Faller was a skinhead from 1984 to 1987.


L to R, Ali Palmer-Smith, Sharon Woodward and Bridget Faller

To an outsider, the skinhead movement may seem to be a male dominated subculture. The media usually only portrays the skinhead males, even throughout this film the archive video footage is of male skinheads. However, as this film explores, it is truly a place where many females felt they belonged. The majority of films depicting the subculture are centred around the males and their experiences. In my opinion, the closest a film came to exploring a female's experience in the movement was probably 'This Is England', which depicted skinhead girls but hardly touched on the way they lived their lives.

I believe that Sharon is successful at displaying the skinhead movement as a female space through her film. The collective stories of the women, and the similarities between their experiences, convey the idea that the skinhead movement is indeed a place that they did belong. They all speak of feeling equal to their male counterparts, stating that sexism wasn't necessarily a part of their experience, unravelling the myth that it is only for boys. They identify as tomboyish girls, who find an accomodating place in this subculture. Sharon enjoyed becoming androgynous with her shaved head, it allowed her to escape male sexual attention. The girls felt more like little sisters to the males, and the males admired the girls who weren't going to take shit from anybody. Bridget mentions getting a spiderweb tattoo, and the artist tattoos a flower in the middle of it without her permission in order to make it more feminine, she recalls being upset because she did not want it to be girly.


Sharon, 1982

Another common thread is that the girls in the group weren't fans of other, 'casual' girls coming on to the scene just to chase the skinhead boys. Bridget in particular speaks of girls returning a few days later with 'perfect' skinhead girl feather cuts, while she was trying to grow her hair into one for years. In other words, girls were accepted if they were interested in the movement for the right reasons.


Bridget, in her skinhead days

The shared rituals of getting ready to go out are also discussed, and I feel that this further portrays the experience of girls in the skinhead movement as there are common aspects. The discussion about what clothes they wore also conveys the way in which fashion is a big part of the way the girls identified themselves as skinheads. Pride in their appearance, and self, is a key theme. Old daily habits and behaviours are shared with each other as well as stories about old boyfriends. Sharon's inability to get rid of her old crombie highlights how the years spent as a skinhead girl are ingrained in her, that although her life has moved forward, those years were important in shaping her.


Sharon brings out her crombie for the first time in 25 years

The film is enjoyable to watch, the stories recounted by the women are amusing, and touching in parts, and I'm glad to finally see a film that truly documents the experiences of females in the skinhead movement. I'm sure that a lot of skinhead, and ex-skinhead girls, will be able to relate to Sharon's experience where being a skinhead provided her with a place to grow, evolve and find pride in herself. I found it very refreshing to finally see a film completely dedicated to skinhead girls.

For more information about the film, check out Sharon's myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/SharonKayWoodward

This is the trailer for the film:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=54474671

I'd like to thank Sharon for giving me the opportunity to review her film, I truly appreciate it.

Written by Sally Kingsley

Interview with Lake from Red Stripe Clothing

Lake is the owner of Perth based fashion store, Red Stripe Clothing. Sadly since this interview was conducted, former co-owner Janelle decided to move on to other projects, making Lake the sole owner of the shop!

Red Stripe is by far my favourite store, not only because of their amazing stock, but because of the super rad people that work there! I stumbled across the market stall in my oh-so-punk-rock teenage days, and I've grown up and evolved along with it. It provided me with an opportunity to make friends with people who had similar interests to me, and it will always have a special place in my heart.


Red Stripe's artwork, created by Glitter Sniffer: http://glittersniffer.deviantart.com/

What are your top 5 bands / singers:
Lake: Ricky Martin, Rod Stewart, Savage Garden.. Haha! For serious, I really like too many bands to list, but I love good, old fashioned rock 'n' roll, psychobilly, some (good) hip-hop..

What does it mean to you to be a subcultural girl?:
Lake: I guess being open-minded.


Lake and previous co-owner, Janelle
(copyright 2006, fotomethodika.com)

When did you start the business and why?:
Lake: I started red stripe in Oct 2001 with two friends, Agatha and Bryn. We did it because we loved making clothes for ourselves and our friends and couldn't find the stuff we wanted to wear in shops.. so, we started a little market stall. I remember applying at the Subiaco Station street Markets in September 2001, I was on the way home from Agatha's house at about 11am after a massive night, hadn't even brushed my teeth, and I got off the train and went to the Office area and enquired. The lady I spoke to was really-super nice and encouraging and said when they have a vacant stall she'll call us.. I got back on the train and saw my black and white stripey shirt had beer and grenadine stains all down the front of it, my makeup from the night before was all over my face.. I looked like such a derro-freak. Then the lady actually called me back (!), about a month later and we had one week to get stock together and find racks, a counter etc.. It was nuts.

Was it a difficult task to establish the business / how did you go about it?:
Lake: It was pretty tough at first, I was at university studying Italian and had two other jobs, so sewing was what I did in any spare time I had, I can't believe I did so much back then, I guess I was pretty focussed on making the market stall look good with heaps of stock. I spent all the money I had on fabric, and we just kind of did it, we had no experience and I had never studied fashion, design or business, I just made it up as I went along I guess. I made mistakes but that's how you learn! Haha. After a while Agatha and Bryn moved on and Janelle came along.


The old market stall

Did it take a long time to gain a following of customers? How did you promote the business initially, if at all?:
Lake: It didn't take that long to get regular customers, as we were the only people doing what we were doing in Perth, so when people found us who were into the same things as us I think they were pretty excited and came back to see what was new. We met some of our best friends (and employees!) through the market stall. We used to make our own flyers and posters too, real crazy black and white photocopied cut and paste things with heaps of leopard print, and handed them out to people who looked like they might have been interested, and stuck up the posters in nightclub toilets etc.


Old shop fliers at the old market stall, on the left

What were your primary goals for the business? Have you achieved them?:
Lake: For me I didn't really start out with a set goal, it was more a day-to-day thing where I just did what needed to be done. I didn't even imagine I would or even could have a proper shop with real, human employees!

Is it difficult to make a living out of the business?:
Lake: It was at first, and I had a couple of jobs to support me and my sewing. Now running the shop is my full time job. In terms of time, the shop (red stripe clothing) has taken over from my fashion label (red stripe), which once was my priority. When we moved from the markets to a proper shop in Northbridge, in March 2004, we started to do a lot of importing and now have an internet store, so the shop has changed from having primarily locally made stock to mainly imported. I'd like to get back into sewing heaps more, but maybe once I finish TAFE at the end of this year (I'm learning spanish part-time).


Lake gutting the original shop site

What are your future plans for the business?:
Lake: Haha, who knows!!

You are both fairly young business owners, do you think this has been a hindrance?:
Lake: Not really, I feel like I had a lot less inhibitions then, especially because I had no idea where the business (or me as a person) was heading. I've grown up alot since I was 19 (I'm 28 in december).


Red Stripe's interior

What has been the highlight of owning the business?:
Lake: Meeting awesome people has to be the best side-effect, along with having access to super-mega-hot clothes, shoes and accessories!! Haha! Also I pretty much can do what I want!

What would be your advice for anyone wanting to set up a business similar to yours?:
Lake: Um.. just do it - you have nothing to lose. (except maybe some money - but it's worth it if you tried your hardest!).


Red Stripe's exterior

What would you like to see more girls out there doing?:
Lake: Being creative and actively involved in whatever they are interested in. Being confident and feeling good about themselves, and not trying to impress others.


Red Stripe's older artwork, also created by Glitter Sniffer: http://glittersniffer.deviantart.com/

Red Stripe is located at 8 - 10 Roe Street, Northbridge which is opposite the Perth train station.

They also have an online store, for all you people outside of Perth: http://www.redstripeclothing.com/

You can also add them on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/redstripeclothing

Or follow them on twitter: http://twitter.com/redstripeshop

Article written by Sally Kingsley

Review of Gossip album: Music For Men

Since their last album, Standing in the Way of Control (released in 2006), Portland's Gossip have signed to a major label, that label being Music With a Twist, which is a part of the larger Sony Music Label. They've also been propelled into the spotlight, and now receive a lot of major radio airplay.



With Music For Men, they've also teamed up with big wig rock producer Rick Rubin. Having such an experienced producer on hand is evident in the album, the sound is BIG and the transition between songs is very smooth.

I've been a huge fan of this band for a few years now, and it's been really interesting to see the transition in their musical style. Their earlier works were largely bluesy punk rock, but they've transitioned into a more electro, even disco-like, act. Standing in the Way of Control acts as the perfect bridge between these two styles.



In my opinion, the album is all killer no filler. The songs make you want to get up and dance. I've got no doubt that they will do exactly that when they are played in clubs around the world.

Hannah Blilie's drumwork lays down a simplistic yet perfect base for the bass and guitar work of Brace Paine, which is what drives the direction of the songs. The cherry on the top of this musical sundae is, of course, the versatile and soaring vocal stylings of Beth Ditto. The voice that has got the whole world talking.

'Dimestore Diamond' acts as an introduction to the album, and prepares the listener for the songs to come. After that the faster tracks kick in, with first single 'Heavy Cross' coming in second. Highlights on the album for me are the fourth track, 'Love Long Distance' and eleventh track 'Four Letter Word'. They are easy to relate to, good sing-a-long and dancing tunes. To be honest, I've found myself addicted to these songs and have listened to them repeatedly since I got the album. Final track, 'Spare Me From The Mold' is also an excellent song.

Beth has received so much media attention, I'm glad to see that now her music has become successful, and that people are no longer just paying attention to her looks.



So, basically if you want to dance like it's still the '80's, get ahold of this album. It won't let you down!

Now excuse me while I go partake in some bedroom dancing...

Article written by Sally Kingsley

Book Review: Skinhead Girls Around The World Vol. 2 and 3

The Skinhead Girls Around The World three part photobook series was compiled and edited by Estrella and Xose, published by Apalanqued Productions. Each volume is approximately 60 pages long. The first volume was released in October 2006 and only 500 copies were made. Sadly, I missed out on that one and so I am unable to review the series as a whole! Bummer. (if anyone has a volume 1 they would be willing to part with, please contact me!)



I do, however, own the rest of the series. Volume 2 was published in May 2007, with only 700 copies being printed, and Volume 3 has been available since October 2008.

The back cover of Volume 3 truly gives you a sense of what the series is about.
To quote it directly: " 'Skinhead Girls Around The World' is the third book in a trilogy started back in 2006. After publishing a skinhead book of photographs called 'Cropped Heads' (Flashware Publishing- 2003), the editors decided it was time for a book showing the feminine side of the skinhead cult. All the photographs in the book were sent in by the girls themselves and from those photographs we decided to compile an overview of the actual skinhead scene around the World.

The girls into the skinhead culture have changed their look, their crops and their lifestyle. Each country has its own way of living the movement and so we wanted to show in our books the development of the movement from the 1980s through to the present day."



The books are heavily loaded with photographs, but what I like the best is that there is a diverse range of girls shown. It is clearly shown that within a subculture such as the Skinhead culture, no two people are exactly the same. The photos are sectioned into the countries where the girls are from, and at least 30 different countries are named. This truly shows how widespread this movement is. The photographs provides a true snapshot of Skinhead Girl culture today, and the lifestyle being led by these girls. The similarities show that it is more than a fashion trend.

In each volume, there is a section dedicated to old photographs from previous decades. This indicates how this subculture, which is dating back 40 years or so now, is longlasting and is by no means a 'fad' or passing interest for these girls, but it is in fact their lifestyle. The girls pictured are from a spectrum of ages, displaying that the movement is not more relevant for any particular generation, and that age is not an important factor.



I love flicking through these books, skinhead girls have such a distinct and polished look, yet each individual has something different about them. It is amazing to see a lifestyle shared across the whole world in photographic evidence. I believe these girls share a great bond because they have similar ideals and passions in life- not just similar haircuts and clothes.

You can purchase Volume 3 from the Skinhead Girls Photobook myspace page: www.myspace.com/skinheadgirlsbook

And I've seen some copies of Volume 2 floating around on ebay, just run a search for it.

I highly recommend purchasing the series if you are interested in Skinhead culture, or in subcultures as a whole.

Written by Sally Kingsley

Marissa reviews Horrorpops CD- Kiss Kiss Kill Kill

Marissa Blazko reviews the newest release from pop / punk rockers Horrorpops

The hellcat is out of the bag. Just like their last CD, the latest Horrorpops CD—-Kiss Kiss Kill Kill--has leaked on to the Internet. The first single, Headed For the Disco, has already been released by the band on Hellcat Records, but it seems that the February 5th debut just didn't come soon enough.



For anyone unfamiliar with the band, The Horrorpops' stage performance is something between burlesque and a freak show. Front-woman Patricia Day plays a standup like a demented pop star; husband Kim Nekroman (of the Nekromantix) plays his guitar with the same vigor that you would expect someone who was, say, clinically insane? Accompanied by Niedermeier on drums and a pair of go-go dancers, the band has quickly become a staple of the psychobilly scene, although they have refused to accept the label. Think Gwen Stefani in a B-grade horror movie; The Bride of Frankenstein in a do-wop band.



But will this next album live up to the standard the past two have created for the band? Will it be just as catchy, and just as danceable? Will Nekroman be able to hold down the guitar by himself, now that the band has been left with only one guitarist?

The simple answer is this: YES. Kiss Kiss Kill Kill is a bit more rock and roll than Hell Yeah, although slightly less aggressive than Bring it On! The album lacks the customary countrybilly song that the last two CDs included, but the entire CD has a slightly more Southern feel. It sounds less like the band's next album than a continuation of the last two. New songs, same great feel.

The Horrorpops' only released single, Headed For The Disco, is the same pop-filled psychoshit that their fans have grown used to, with a spin; one of the catchier tracks, Refugee, is enough to make anyone wish they were a go-go. The CD also offers a continuation of the instrumental track Horrorbeach that was featured on their first CD. The new song, Horrorbeach Part 2, is horror-surf that keeps with the CD's full-throttle feel.

The factor that pushed The Horrorpops so far in just ten years may be that they have something to offer to the underground punk scene—a female vocalist. In a genre that usually favours men, it's a rare sight to find a girl in the pit. Most seem content with their status as pin up / coat rack. All throughout her career, Patricia Day has proved that although there's still a cap on where girls—even subcultural girls—belong, nothing is impossible. Since emigrating from Copenhagen to LA, Day has been a juggernaut in a pencil skirt and heels. Not letting her marriage to the infamous Nekroman define either herself or her career, she has shown everyone that she can not only play with the big boys, but look gorgeous doing it.

The album's third track, Missfit, shows fans a side of Day that they may have missed before. The lyrics say "I carry my fists / I carry my fists up high / 'cause most of the time I have to fight / for what I believe is right. / even stupid things like keeping my hair dyed / and I'm from the wrong side of town / on top of that, I'm female." The song goes on to the chorus: "Nothing I say is adequate / according to you I'm a missfit / what makes you my judge and juror? / So I / I don't care for the common trend / why is it something I have to defend? / who made you make my judge and juror." Girls can relate to the track—especially since the number of feminist rockabilly songs since the 1950's could probably be counted on one hand. The song is guaranteed to be one of their biggest live this, with a bridge that every girl in the crowd will be singing along to: "My fist, in the middle of your face!"

To hear the single Headed for the Disco, or for upcoming tour information, visit the Horrorpops at their myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thehorrorpops) and turn up your speakers. Kiss Kiss Kill Kill hits store everywhere February 5th 2008.

Written by Marissa Blazko

Abbey- artist

Abbey is a young artist from New York. I came across her artwork via her myspace one day and thought it was really cool, so I decided I wanted to do an article on her, and luckily she agreed to it! This is the end result…


Girl Weather

Abbey's favourite music comes from H20, MC Chris, Regina Spektor, Tegan and Sara, Bouncing Souls as well as Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. For Abbey, to be a subcultural girl means: "Not to be cliche, but....I think it means really believing in who you are, and by that I mean if you are a certain way, just let it be. Don't try to change a part (or pieces) of yourself just because certain people don't like it. In the end you'll only regret holding yourself back, and all the years you spent pretending." This is certainly something Abbey lives by. Be true to yourself is the message we can take from this.


Sno-white

Now… onto her art! She says this is how she got into art: "I was just lookin' around online and I found some amateur artists who I thought were just incredible. That was when I was maybe 13 years old, and that was about 8 years ago. I've just wanted to create images and illustrations ever since." Abbey's artwork is inspired by a huge range of things, "Fantasy, dreams, wildlife, forests, wishes, colours, the idea of Distant Lands, Catholic imagery, religious history, feminism, Star Wars, video games, horror, adventures, old memories, diseases, myths, home, carnivals, science, etc. Everything inspires me, but I think the main thing is colour. I'm big on colour." Whoa! The possibilities of what Abbey could come up with next seems endless, which is awesome.


Abi Oozi

Technically, medium wise, Abbey is "mainly a watercolour painter, but I also like coloured pencils and charcoal. Not to mention many feeble attempts at acrylic." This is what she had to say about how her artwork has progressed over the years: "I think I've loosened up a lot and allowed myself to get slightly less literal with my subject matter. I fought abstraction for a long time, because I didn't want to become pretentious, but now I think it's not so bad. I guess art school finally got to me. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the colour. If the colours are bright and obscene, then I've done my job." Being a fan of bright colours myself, I will actually admit that it was the brightness in her artwork that caught my eye. It seemed bolder and more daring than other artwork I have encountered, and so I was drawn to it.


Taken Down

Her artwork is important to Abbey, but she's not sure why. "Yeah, it's important to me, but not for any reason I can pinpoint. I mean, it's not like I HAVE to paint or I'll explode. I do it because I like to and the result is usually something I can stand to look at. It's probably one of those things I'll figure out when I'm old. I think I'd be a little lost without it, but there are also lots of other things I'd like to try." Well, there's plenty of time for Abbey and it's pretty exciting to consider all of the possibilities of what she could come up with next. She's still young so thinking of how much further her art could progress is awesome. Ultimately, this is what Abbey wants to achieve with her work: "A job, I think. I'm currently in school for illustration and I've always wanted to do children's books. I think I want to push the limits by working outside of my comfort zone, too. Do something I haven't done before. I also want to see what else I can do with art. I want to go to school for special FX makeup eventually, and out of that I would like to get a job making some monsters or something." To see someone getting paid to do something they love would be amazing, and a true inspiration to other people out there.


St. Catherine of Siena

Currently, Abbey does not sell many pieces of her artwork. "I've sold very few to some friends, but sadly, that's about it. I hope to get a website up soon, but other than that I've just had a few gallery shows, as well as some shows coming up. I would love to do art for other people eventually though, for sure." I'm sure she'll have people waiting for such an opportunity (myself included!).


Stigmata

To all you aspiring artists out there, Abbey has this message for you! "It (art) takes a lot of practice, and a lot of time. I wasn't born with any natural talent, and I'm not even a fraction of how good I want to be. Just gotta keep working at it. You have to learn from people who you admire and take constructive criticism from those whose opinion you respect."


Swing

And finally, this is what Abbey wants to see more subcultural girls out there doing: "I would like to see more girls challenging gender roles. I think the grossest thing in the world is when girls admire guys for something they wish they could be doing. I get a little bit of happiness when I see girls in bands, or female skateboarders. If you want to do it, then stop being a groupie and do it." I don't think I could possibly agree more with this!


The Bride

You can check out Abbey's art on her personal myspace: http://www.myspace.com/abbeyawesome


Provider

Article written by Sally Kingsley

Emma- photographer for Miss Rain Photography

Emma is the UK photographer behind Miss Rain Photography. She takes all sorts of photography ranging from live music shots, to pin up photos to nature shots. You name it, she'll capture it on photographic film.


Self Portrait, February 2007

Emma lists Rise Against, Against me!, Easyworld, Alexisonfire and Horrorpops amongst her favourite musical acts, but it varies depending on her mood. When asked what being a subcultural girl meant to her, Emma responded with this: 'It means everything. It's not being scared to be yourself for fear of being looked down upon because you don't wear the right clothes/listen to the right music or are tattooed, pierced and have coloured hair. It's not about whether you're alternative or not because even some scenes are sheep these days. I love making my own style.' I believe that this can also be said about her photographic work, there is a certain unique quality to the individual pictures and also in the range of subjects.


The Peacocks at the Cluny

Now… on to the photography! Emma began her interest in photography because 'I've never really been artistic, I can't draw for shit and never really got along with art in school as you're marked on one person's opinion. I have loved music forever and just started taking photographs of my friend's bands. I had a really lucky break as one of my friends that I worked with knew the manager of the University venue who was always wanting photographs taken of the larger bands. The first band I photographed for them was the Dropkick Murphys! It just took off from there really.' This sounds like a pretty good start into the photographic world, especially for someone with such a love for music!


Portrait: Lisa, June 2007

Inspiration is an important aspect to any creative piece, and photography certainly needs it to give the end results a certain something. For Miss Rain Photography the inspiration varies on the subject. Emma says, 'In music, the passion inspires me, which is probably why I tend to photograph punk bands or bands that have something interesting about them. I tried photographing indie bands but I just found them so boring! They just stood there and I found that because they had no passion, neither did my photos of them. My pin-up portraits I am inspired by the girls themselves. I love to photograph girls with character and style, if they have that it makes my job so much easier! I was so fed up with the bland, skinny, sallow models like Kate Moss, I just want to show REAL girls and how beautiful they can be no matter what size, shape or scene they follow.' Emma has certainly succeeded in this as her pin up photography shows a variety of girls, who may have something in common, but all have a beautiful, individual quality to each of them. And her live burlesque photos are really something else! I guess this is because her favourite thing to take photos of is people (especially ones with personality!).


Burlesque at Black Jack's Speakeasy

On the technical side, Emma had this to say about what equipment she uses to achieve such great shots: 'I use a Canon 20D, with a 17 – 70 lens with the biggest aperture I can get. I have to use the widest aperture to get enough light to get a crisp photograph as you're not allowed to use flash in the pit at gigs, it's hard enough for them to do their job without having to deal with being blinded. I get on well with the bouncers but they'd still kick my ass!' I'm sure many of us have experienced the 'no flashes!' warning from security over the years, so hopefully with this advice we can all start taking great live shots! Emma often finds it difficult to get her photographic work done. She lives in the real world like the rest of us and has to work in order to support her passion. 'I have to work full time to pay my rent so after a full day's work it's hard to motivate yourself to do a shoot/get kicked in the face from a crowd surfer.' Even just taking photos at a gig is getting more difficult: 'I'm finding it really hard to get photo passes to gigs at the minute because the PR companies of the bands don't even want to know you unless you're affiliated with a magazine because they get harassed by every kid who thinks it's a good way to meet bands. I've taken to saying I'm working for independent 'zines…'


Miss Ruby Fortune- Femme Fatale

What Emma wants to achieve with Miss Rain Photography is that 'I would just love to be able to make a living from my photography, it doesn't even have to be a good living just enough to pay the bills. I'm not in this for the fame or recognition just to be able to do something that I love for the rest of my life.' I'm sure this is something that we can all relate to, no one wants to die working a shit job having never pursued what it was they actually wanted to do with their life. The biggest achievement in Emma's photography says it all really, she says it was photographing and meeting NOFX!


NOFX at Northumbria Union

To finish off with, Emma wants to see subcultural girls just being themselves. No facades! 'I think us girls should support each other, make connections and support each other in our work and what we want out of life.' I couldn't agree more!


Aisling Grace

Check out Miss Rain Photography at missrain.co.uk and add her to you myspace friends list: http://www.myspace.com/missrainphotography
And facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Rain-Photography/52524740411


Kathryn

Article written by Sally Kingsley

Mad Marge- Singer: Mad Marge and the Stonecutters

Mad Marge is the front woman for the psychobilly band Mad Marge and the Stonecutters. The band has been gaining in popularity over the last few years, even playing a spot at one of the major world psychobilly festivals, the Satanic Stomp, in Speyer, Germany in 2006. This coincided with the Hollywood Monsters tour which the band undertook with fellow American psychobilly bands Rezurex and The Henchmen. The band has also performed at the Californian showcase: The Hollywood Showdown. Mad Marge and the Stonecutters are currently signed to Baseline Music, and their popularity is sure to grow even more and so it is likely that Marge's position as a role model to girls will also grow.


Marge and Daniel de Leon (Rezurex)

As most fans of The Stoncutters would know, Mad Marge is a stage name. The band name was drawn from an episode of the Simpsons ('Homer The Great': episode 12 of season 6), as the band are huge fans of the cartoon. On her own stage name, Marge has this to say: 'In our strange little family I was clearly a 'mother' figure and Marge seemed appropriate, there is also an episode that features the 'Mad Marge dancers' after she has a breakdown ('It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge': episode 21 of season 11). I am definitely a different person when I'm on stage and that's why I chose to have a stage name.' Creating a distinction between on and off stage persona's seems like a good way to break free artistically onstage.



Amongst Marge's top music are The Cramps, Billie Holiday, Mad Sin, Detroit Cobras and Nekromantix. For her being a subcultural girl is to be normal; 'I don't happen to like popular music or fashion or mainstream crap, so to me it means just being normal.' Many girls can probably relate to this, because they live the life the way they want and aren't necessarily focused on being subcultural- it is just who they are. Making music has been a long time love for Marge: 'I was always around music as a little girl, I think my dad had every record ever made and that made me a music junkie at a young age. It wasn't until I was about 12 that I realized that I wanted to make music and I knew I would eventually do it one day. A year later I was in my first band.' This experience shows in the music of The Stonecutters as Marge has a strong vocal ability and this seems to draw in some fans.



Psychobilly has traditionally been a male dominated music genre- think of the big names, Demented Are Go, Mad Sin, Batmobile, Nekromantix, Guana Batz, The Meteors etc- they all create pretty masculine music with strong male vocals. It seems to be in recent years more females are taking to the stage particularly in the American arena. Bands like Horrorpops, Speed Crazy, Thee Merry Widows, The Deadutantes, The Formaldebrides etc seem to be inspiring more girls to give it a shot. Marge says that 'Psychobilly has had strong male dominance through out it's history but it has gained quite a bit of popularity in the U.S. in the last few years and I think with more females in the audience it is no surprise there are more females taking part in making the music.' This is a very true statement as there seems to be a lot of young girls interested in psychobilly out there- myspace is evidence of this.



Marge finds inspiration for her music anywhere and everywhere: 'Writing for me is pretty organic and lyrics just kind of come out. I just start writing and then interpret the meaning later. I like writing about everything, The Stonecutters first record had a real macabre feel to it, the newer songs have a little more depth to them. I never know what I'm going to come up with, that's the fun part.' Having a variety of inspiration would inevitably keep interest in the band from both the musicians and the fans point of view. However, getting out on tour seems to be the best part. Marge says: 'I love being on tour and wish I was touring right now! I love talking to fans and supporters and finding out how they heard about us. Everyone is always so freaking nice, not really used to that living in a town of bitter 9 to 5 commuters. But there are always those random drunk guys that think it is ok to cross the line, luckily I always have my husband (guitarist Matt) by my side on the road!' Being able to travel with her partner must be a great emotional support to Marge as well.



On the topic of their progressive boost in popularity Marge had the following to say: 'I think it's great, we have some really great fans that have been supporting us since the beginning and we are so thankful and appreciative of them. I think it's amazing each time we play to see new faces in the crowd singing to our songs, it makes it worth while for me.' The fans are surely equally appreciative of getting the chance to see someone so down to earth and willing to please and interact with them. Marge's ultimate ambition to do with her musical career is to 'dominate the world', said with a laugh and a grin. At the rate the band is going, who knows!



As for all you aspiring female musicians out there, Marge has the following message for you: 'I never would have considered myself to be a role model, but as the selection of female rockers dwindles I guess that could become a possibility. If there are any girls who are aspiring musicians who look to me then I give them this: give it your all, every time, and do it with conviction. Don't ever let anybody talk you down for doing what you love. As long as you are confident in yourself it will be worth while, the most important part is having fun.' And fun certainly seems to be what Marge is having with her musical career.



You can check out the band's music at their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/thestonecutters



Article written by Sally Kingsley