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PRIS - Blue Tack Baby Is there a Glass Ceiling for women in rock music? Think about it, all the major players over the years have been male – Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pistols, Clash, Roses, Nirvana, Oasis and East 17 have been testosterone fuelled no-go areas for the fairer sex. So I think it is about time that the girls were truly given equality and what better band than to lead the charge than PRIS, an all girl group hailing from London. Apparently named after the prostitute replicant in Blade Runner, they site a myriad of influences ranging from the Buzzcocks, Short Skirts & Hotpants, Birdland, Cigarettes, Shirley Manson, Bright Red Lipstick, Karen O, Fishnet Tights, Madonna (but only when she was young!), Kenickie, Bret Easton Ellis, Joy Division, and The Manic Street Preachers. They comprise of Cat on vocals, Agatha on guitar and Mary on bass. Rather disappointingly they have a male drummer Sam, however rumour has it that he is kept as a gimp for the pleasure of the rest of the band. Cat originally started writing songs on her Apple Macbook, singing over some drum beats, with the band later meeting up via a group of mutual friends. Initially only sending songs to each other on email, Agatha came up with some nice guitar riffs and they decided to give the band a proper shot. So far things have progressing nicely, to the point that they have now produced a demo.
They share the same management company as the Manics. There is also definitely a touch of the "Don't give a Fuck" attitude that my countrymen used when they were first trying to garner attention, especially if their interviews are anything to go by. They seem under whelmed by practically every other band, but meet out particular vitriol towards the Vaccines, Florence & the Machine and the Editors. Also, it has to be said that the girls are much better at carrying off the lipstick and leopard skin look than the boys from Blackwood (sorry Nicky!) First track “Blue Tack Baby” immediately makes me smile. Think Shampoo fronted by Debbie Harry and you won’t go far wrong and reminds me of the Waitresses’ perennial Christmas favourite “Christmas Wrapping”. Revolving around the practice of teenage girls papering their bedroom walls with poster of their favourite pop stars, it has a certain innocent charm but infectiously catchy chorus. Despite its rather uncomplicated theme it still manages to find time to be disrespectful to the Klaxons. Good work. Saccharine sweet backing vocals lead into their Shangri-Las on acid inspired “Icon on a Motorbike”. The band has a certain childlike quality to their vocals, but I have a feeling that they are no bunch of pussy cats. These kittens have claws! Another catchy chorus and plenty of “La La La” s give it the overall the feel of an early 60’s Tamla Motown number, but with more attitude. Final track “Breaking Hearts and Giving Up” has nice Burundi drumming intro from the token male Sam, again leading to another bubblegum punk number. Cat has at times an almost spoken word, rap style delivery of the lyrics. Quite what she is on about I’m unsure, but I rather like the use of a synthesiser that gives it a bouncy, dance driven feel. So there you have it. Early days for sure and whilst they have a long way to go, I know there are more songs on the way (including a scurrilous number about Pearl Lowe). Whilst the overall sound is not ground breaking, I rather like their attitude and irreverence to other acts. The music world is too full of sycophants and a bit of good honest abuse never did the Pistols and Oasis any harm. So taken a listen to their web pages or better still check them out live. Good times guaranteed and let’s face it they’re much better looking than the Gallagher brothers ever were. Bones http://www.myspace.com/prisoff |
