This face demonstrates the excitement and carefree spirit of the automatic music explosion. I was working the guest list at last night’s Derby Doll bout so I met the drummer, Max earlier in the night. He and his wife were so kind and patient. Eventually, I suited him and his entire band/guest list with purple arm bands so they could use the “staff” bathroom behind the stage.
These guys travel in a pack and even have their own dancers who danced in the front of the group and later passed out buttons, stickers and tiny fliers listing upcoming gigs. Their flier also says: “We want to play at your high school.” I would highly recommend that you hire this band if you need someone for a high school event. They are high energy and seem to pull on the best aspects of rock and roll from the 70’s to current.
I think this is a band parents and kids alike can enjoy. In fact, I just realized, they have a Ramones feel. Look at how many parents and kids love The Ramones equally today. But there is something about seeing bands like this when they are young, fresh and full of vinegar that is unparalleled. I saw The Ramones in the 80’s and 90’s which is quite different from what you’d see if they were all alive and together today.
Great as they are, these pictures can’t even begin to convey the excitement this musical group extracted from the crowd. The audience for this band was by far the largest, most energetic and enthusiastic I’ve ever seen at an LA Derby Doll bout. The group commanded attention and the intesity eminating from the stage captivated the audience. The singer, Jodie thrusted large, poster-sized signs above her head and engaged the crowd in activities such as bobbing ballons to each other overhead and screaming the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the words, “fight, fight, fight” at the top of our lungs.
The show ended with the singer smashing her tamborine on the concrete floor. Anita Kill leaned over and yelled in my ear, “at least its cheaper than destroying a guitar.” “Yeah”, I screamed back. I was dancing the entire time. Laura Palm-her, who is evidently a friend of the band (and who I owe a kiss and a hug for hooking them up) was dancing on her skates with the singer. Several other Tough Cookies joined in the festivities.
Now as far as pinning this group into a genre or category, I am struggling. Here are some of the things that stood out for me:
Overall style and enthusiasm: Bay City Rollers, Mega City Four, White Stripes
Lead guitar player’s mannerisms and tight jeans: I was feelin’ Robert Plant in Song Remains the Same. Maybe some Rod Stewart or Iggy Pop as well
Drummer’s style: Iggy Pop, Paul Weller, The English Beat
Singers passion and style: Sonic Youth, maybe Belinda Carlisle (from Go-Go’s days), a little Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s action
Bass player (Jeff): I guess I’m having difficulty with narrowing this one down. It seems like the bass was in the background.
Matt (Vox/Guitar): I’m feelin’ a little Patrick Mata meets Marilyn Manson (great energy this guy has)
Last time I was this excited during a live music show: Ugly Duckling, Naked Raygun.
In other words, the automatic music explosion are unique.
Here are some of their song titles:
Law of Attraction
Roller Derby
A Girl Like U
You can listen to all of them at their MySpace page.
Photos used in this blog are Get Gal VanIZed exclusives courtesy of rinkrat. To see more photos of this band and the Los Angeles Derby Dolls, visit rinkrat’s flickr page or the exclusive photo gallery at letsgokings.com.
Yesterday USA Today posted an article titled: “
