Thrash N' Bang!!!

Interview with the Damn Broads
By Slimedog

 

Damn Broads are an all-girl hardcore band from Connecticut that released the best damn album in the last year according to my ears. They are Riley (Vocals), Innis (Guitar), Michelle, (Bass) and Taylor (Drums). They work in a straight forward, traditional hardcore style but make it completely their own not only by having a female voice singing hardcore but in their musical style as well. Mild in demeanor and ferocious in performance the broads agreed to be interviewed in the Dungeon of The Midway Café during Thrash N Bang’s Anniversary show that they helped in making the best damn show of the year. What follows is a pleasant interview that goes unfortunately, awry at the end.

 

Slimedog- So how did you guys all get together?

Taylor- Me and Innis posted an ad looking for a bassist and vocalist and then these guys responded, they’re sisters- and they fit the part.

Michelle- We weren’t actually looking to be in a girl band. She (Riley) was actually a bassist at the time. But we weren’t having any luck so we decided to answer their ad.

Slimedog- So you didn’t want to be in an all-girl band?

Riley- No, we really didn’t. (Laughter) We thought, “We’ll try it, give it a shot.”

Slimedog- That’s where, “Girl Bands Suck” (their song) comes from I guess. (Laughter)

Taylor- Yeah, it’s written from the heart.

Slimedog- That song you have that goes, “Fuck… fuck pay to play shows,” when I’m home, now, and I cut my finger or something and I’m mad I say, “Fuck,” then afterwards I say, “Fuck pay to play shows,” and then I laugh. (Laughter)

All- That’s the way. That’s awesome.

Slimedog- How would you describe your style?

Riley- Hardcore, I don’t know. We’re pretty influenced by street punk.

Slimedog- How about bands?

Riley- I’m influenced by Bad Religion; we’re not anything like that.

Taylor- I think we’re most inspired by other local bands. (All agree)

Riley- I think it’s better to be inspired by locals bands because you might like, say, Bad Religion or Minor Threat or anybody like that but local bands are still keeping the scene going.

Slimedog- You know I referred to you as the female Minor Threat?

Innis- I know (Laughter). We’ve been going on and on and on about that, telling everybody.

Slimedog- You play different places, what’s your take on the differences between the Boston, Providence and Connecticut scenes.

Michelle- I think that every place we’ve played has been really good but we kind of have an allegiance to Connecticut. Even if the show isn’t the greatest, I don’t know how to describe it- Connecticut’s always the best.

Innis- We’re biased. (All agree)

Michelle- We just love Connecticut but other states are great, too.

Taylor- We like the Boston scene and Albany, too.

Slimedog- How do you think being ladies affects how your received? Does it help or hurt you?

Taylor- Sometimes people don’t know what to expect and they don’t think that were gonna be that great

’cause we’re a girl band. But sometimes they like us better than if we were a guy band- so it kind of works both ways.

Innis- It’s kind of like we’re a freak show.

Riley- I think they’re scared in the beginning; they don’t know what to expect. Girls? What the hell? They don’t think it’s gonna be a real band.

Slimedog- Who writes the music?

Innis- We all do, we all write our own stuff and bring it to the band.

Slimedog- How about lyrics?

Riley- I take the credit.

Taylor- But all of us play guitar so that’s how we usually come up with a song at first. Like I’ll write one on guitar or Michelle will.

Slimedog- I don’t think I’ve ever asked a band about a particular song but since I said it’s my favorite song on our site how did “In Their Hands” come about?

Riley- I wrote it after watching a lot of conspiracy documentaries. It’s about the government and the powers that be.

Michelle- (in a high voice) There’s no escape!

Slimedog- Do you think it’s one of your best songs or just another tune and I’m crazy?

Michelle- Musically, it’s one of our best songs.

Taylor- We all sing a part in it, it’s very fun to play.

Slimedog- You know, it’s strange to say this about a hardcore song but I can’t really listen to that song without tearing up a bit, even today.

Innis- You’re making me tear up.

Michelle- I know. (Laughter)

Slimedog- Now, for the important questions, who drinks the most?

Innis- We do (she says pointing to Taylor).

Slimedog- You have to say names.

Taylor- I say myself, Taylor.

Innis- I say myself, Innis.

Taylor- It’s a tie; they’re the moms (pointing at Michelle and Riley). They take care of us, we’re supposed to be older and we’re the drunkest!

Slimedog- Last question, who’s most likely, in the band, to become a serial killer?

Innis- Me, Innis.

Michelle- I don’t know, either her or Riley.

Riley- It’s definitely me.

Innis- No, it’s obviously me.

 

At this point a terrible, violent fight broke out between Riley and Innis over who would become a serial killer. Unfortunately, the chainsaw in the basement was utilized also. I just wish they would find another place for this at the Midway other than in the interview room. Michelle and Taylor were successful in preventing only a minimum of blood loss while I bravely, whimpered on the floor clutching my Narragansette can to my bosom. But as I scurried up the steps to more safe terrain it seemed all differences were sorted out and I can’t wait to see these Damn Broads make it out our way again.