Some, if not, most people who know of the Los Angeles based band, Harlow, through VH1's Bands on the Run show. Harlow is an amazing all female group consisting of Amanda Rootes (vocals, guitar), Chimene Gonzalez (bass), Rebecca Gibb (drums), and newest member Melody Patron (guitar). Amanda may look familiar to some of you, as she was the former frontwoman of England's punk rock band Fluffy. Since Bands on the Run has ended (quite some time ago now) the girls have been working harder than ever between touring, putting out their debut album (Harlowland), and eventually beginning to write new material. I had the chance to get the first interview for staticnoise via email with the great Amanda Rootes:
How's everyone doing? What are you all up to?
relaxing after tour. then... getting ready for the summer tour starting monday
:)
What inspires you to write your lyrics?
sadness and drunkeness and madness
How's it working with Melody? Have you written any new material with
her since she joined the band?
we are starting to write next week. she is a glittery drunken queen, and she is
an amazing guitarist. we are so lucky to have gotten her.
Any plans for the summer? (touring?)
you can check out our tour dates for this summer at
http://www.harlowland.com
they include east coast dates :)
What do you think has contributed most to the band's success?
hard work and insane ideas and musical freedom
Its really comforting to see more women in music these days, how do you
deal with people who try to talk you down and say "oh you can't be any good,
you're a girl"?
no one has ever dared say that to me. i find that usually, after people have
seen us play, they are never ever full of the 'good for girls' attitude. i
fucking hate that.
What words of advice would you give to an aspiring musician?
keep at it. get everyone you know to teach you one thing. take anyone that says
you can't do it and become more determined to prove them wrong.
If you could have any super powers, what would they be?
teletransportation. that would make tour really easy, and would save on gas.
Do you feel that a band's image is equally important to the music?
yes.
Are there any bands you'd like to go on the road with that you haven't
had the chance to yet?
gwar. mwa hahahar!!
What's in your cd player?
deadbolt: voodoo trucker
How would you describe Harlow's sound?
rock