Latest news with #allfemaleband
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering ‘Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band
50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band originally appeared on Parade. Sometimes the most revolutionary ideas are born from the simplest observations. Fifty-three years ago today, on August 5, 1975, producer Kim Fowley had a vision that would shatter every barrier in rock music: What if teenage girls could rock just as hard as the boys? That question led to the formation of The Runaways, the groundbreaking all-female band that proved women belonged on every stage in rock and roll. The band's origin story reads like rock mythology. Fowley discovered drummer Sandy West in the parking lot of the Rainbow Bar and Grill, where she convinced him of her talent on the spot. Meanwhile, guitarist had auditioned for Fowley by playing ukulele to a Sweet album before switching to guitar and becoming the band's driving force. What made The Runaways truly revolutionary wasn't just their gender – it was their age and attitude. These weren't seasoned musicians breaking into a male-dominated industry; they were teenagers creating their own space in rock history. Lead vocalist Cherie Currie was discovered at a teen nightclub, while bassist Jackie Fox was literally found in a parking lot by Fowley's associate. The band's impact was immediate and lasting. Their signature song "Cherry Bomb" became an anthem of teenage rebellion, while "Queens of Noise" – which inspired our headline – showcased their fierce energy and unapologetic attitude. They toured with established acts like Van Halen and Talking Heads, proving they could hold their own with any rock band. Beyond their musical contributions, The Runaways opened doors that had never existed before. Their existence alone inspired countless young women to pick up instruments and start their own The Runaways disbanded in 1979 after releasing four studio albums, their influence rippled through generations. Joan Jett became a rock icon with her Blackhearts, while carved out her own successful solo career. Their story proved that rock and roll belonged to anyone brave enough to claim it. Tragically, drummer Sandy West died in 2006 at just 47, but her legacy lives on in every female drummer who followed. The Runaways didn't just form a band – they created a blueprint for rebellion, showing that teenage girls could be just as loud, proud, and powerful as anyone else in rock music. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Today, as we celebrate their formation anniversary, The Runaways' message remains as relevant as ever: rock and roll has no gender, and music belongs to anyone bold enough to make some noise. 50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chappell Roan Rides ‘The Subway' to First Post-Release Performance & Admits She's ‘Really Nervous' at Oslo Festival: 9 Best Moments
Before Chappell Roan took the main stage at Øyafestivalen on Wednesday (Aug. 6) night in Norway, thousands of fans in fuzzy pink cowboy hats, chalky white face paint and a variety of looks from her music videos waited patiently on the tree-dotted lawn of Oslo's gorgeous Tøyen Park. More from Billboard MGK Says His Haters Are Just 'Conformists' Who Pretend to Dislike Him to 'Fit In' Will Chappell Roan's 'Subway' Interrupt the Battle Between Alex Warren and 'KPop Demon Hunters' Atop the Billboard Hot 100? Lou Adler & Tim Curry to Appear at 50th Anniversary Screening of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' From a nearby stage, Australian punk band the Chats could be heard raging about everything from identify theft to the rising cost of smokes. For those unfamiliar with Roan's live sets, the pre-show sonic bleed might have seemed like an incongruous juxtaposition, given that Roan is ostensibly a pop artist. But when she hit the stage for her Øyafestivalen debut, it quickly became clear that Roan and her all-female backing band can land a rock n' roll punch just as well as a punk outfit (or any band that falls more obviously under the rock umbrella). The drums are hefty yet lean, thumping and energetic; the guitars crackle like fireworks and cut like buzzsaws; and Roan's voice can give falsetto highs, growly lows and from-the-gut shrieks at a level above most pop stars. Two years out from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and the runaway success of that LP and follow-up singles 'Good Luck, Babe!' and 'The Giver' (both Billboard Hot 100 top 10s), Roan is now on the Visions of Damsels and Other Dangerous Things Tour. The new stage design offers up an alternately whimsical and foreboding fairytale atmosphere, with red eyes peeping out from a stony gazebo, images of gargoyles flapping above church spires and an intricate art nouveau gate that looks like a castle one moment and a cemetery the next. It's all fantastical camp, exactly the kind of heartfelt cosplay that has attracted LGBTQ people, allies and outside-the-box oddballs to Roan's world, which is both refreshingly candid and playfully unserious, sometimes within the same song. Here are nine highlights from Chappell Roan at Øyafestivalen, from the first post-release performance of new single 'The Subway' to a shout-out to her mom, who was in the crowd. Billboard's travel and accommodations for Øyafestivalen were provided by Music Norway, which was founded by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality. The Scream Wearing a Lincoln green body suit with fairy wings, Roan ripped open the night with 'Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl,' setting a high-energy, punchy tone. After spitting the 'not overdramatic, I know what I want line,' Roan unleashed a glorious, guttural scream – and hey, Oslo is a pretty damn good city for a Scream. 'Subway' Fares Well, Despite a Bump Roan's new single 'The Subway' has been in her setlist previously, but Øyafestivalen is the first time she's performed the song since it's official release, a fact she noted in her introduction. 'Did you watch the video yet?' she asked the crowd, which roared a collective affirmative. 'If you haven't, I encourage you to – it's kinda good.' Now that it's officially out, the crowd was able to sing along to every word (especially the line about moving the Saskatchewan), although it's fresh enough that Roan flubbed one of the lyrics. Still, as a live pro, she was able to laugh it off and immediately return to her place in the song. Nothing Beats Heart When Roan guested on the After Dinner Thinks podcast, she told co-host Ann Wilson of Heart that 'Barracuda' is 'the coolest song ever,' one that makes her 'feel like a rock star' while covering it. After debuting her Heart cover at Austin City Limits last year, she brought it to Øyafestivalen. There's no doubting that it brings out a new side to her stage persona – ferocious, freewheeling and fun, giving her a moment away from highly personal material to unleash her inner '70s stadium rock queen. 'Cherish' Is the Word 'Can you believe it? We're in Oslo!' she shouted at one point, as much to her band as to herself. Later on in the show, she admitted, 'I'm really nervous. I just haven't done a show for a sec so I'm kinda nervous.' She also marveled at her songs traveling all the way to eager, receptive ears in Norway. 'I've never been here before, it's so beautiful,' she gushed. 'This past year has been tough…. I'm so grateful you're here. I needed this so bad when I was 15, 14. I just needed to feel free to dress up with other people who weren't going to judge me for dressing up. Not only do I want you here, but I cherish you for who you are. You are cherished.' 'Hot' Hands In the hands of her current band, 'Hot to Go!' has a head-bobbing rock crunch on the verses, a nice edge that segues perfectly into the all-out, shout-along chorus. If Roan was a bit surprised by the fact that people in Norway know her music, she must have been knocked down by how ready the massive crowd was to deliver the 'Hot to Go!' hand-ography. Despite the elbow-to-elbow throng near the stage, everyone somehow managed to do the motions without encroaching into other people's personal space. (Hey, it's a polite place.) 'Giver' Keeps on Giving Gold During her country-flavored 'The Giver,' Roan has made a habit of reading out fan-solicited notes which explain how a romantic ex was in some way an insufficient giver, after which the whole audiences boos. Oslo got some doozies: 'Daniel. He didn't want to take off his Temu rings for me. F—k Temu and f—k Daniel. Adam: He stopped screwing me so he could play Fortnite. Jacob: He cheated on me twice in the same Burger King parking lot.' Burger King? Damn. Sometimes you really shouldn't have it your way. Serving Security Realness 'Who are the divas in the neon vests in the back?' Roan asked after dark had fallen on the festival grounds, pointing to some folks in the very back of her gargantuan crowd. She exploded into laughter when she realized 'the divas' in question were serving 9-to-5 realness: 'Oh, that's security.' A Dragon to Keep From Draggin' In any artist's live set, slower numbers can threaten to derail the energy a bit, or at least entice the audience to pop out and hit the bathroom or grab a drink. But Roan is clever when she brings out the ballads. Singing 'Coffee,' she introduced us to her tour pet for this trek, a baby toy dragon (with its little eyes closed, aw) that she crooned to while seated on a throne. The song is a heart-wrencher, but when the camera pans in on a tiny toy dragon, you can't help but giggle – it's a smart way of adding levity to a serious song. Making Mama Proud On closing number 'Pink Pony Club,' everyone in the crowd – whether they were in a fluffy pink hat or not – was singing along, hanging on every word. After singing the lyric about her mother's disdain over her daughter dancing in drag at a gay bar ('Won't make my mama proud / it's gonna cause a scene'), Roan had a bit of a revelation: her mother was in the crowd that night. When Roan hit that 'God, what have you done?' wail on the pre-chorus, you can be sure everyone was singing extra loud, if only to let mama know that she should, in fact, be damn proud. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
All-female Aussie rock band stuns, while Victorian gravedigger reveals wild career change
A Melbourne-based all-female band are bringing back leather jackets and spandex as they put Aussie hard rock back on the radar. Citing influencers like The Runaways, Motorhead and even Black Sabbath, Hot Machine are taking their explosive brand of rock to a global audience, having toured Japan late last year. Comprised of Sammy O'Keefe (vocals), Sarsha Marsden (guitar), Jess Turner 'JT' (guitar), Brittany Britten (bass), and Jess Maio (drums), the band formed in 2023 and has created a buzz in Melbourne due to their high-octane live shows. caught a glimpse of them at a special event for Fender guitars, Mod Shop: Modified in Melbourne, a one-night-only VIP showcase event at the SA1NT facility in Fitzroy, a warehouse which is normally a motorcycle repair shop, as well as a clothing retailer and even a gym. It's the perfect spot for a leather-clad rock band to play and Hot Machine didn't disappoint. Speaking to before the show they spoke of their highlights as a band so far, including the release of their 2024 EP titled Leather and Steel and their tour in Japan. 'In Japan, they love Aussie rock and they love females,' said Turner. 'They go nuts over there.' 'They really support girls over there too,' said Marsden. They said that, as an all-girl outfit, things can be tough. 'It's been tough, and good. It goes both ways I guess,' said Maio. 'It's a male-dominated scene normally but we've also felt really supported. 'Not a lot of female acts are doing this type of sound in Melbourne so people are getting behind which is cool. But, it is hard. It's a bit of a boys' club out there.' Not to be deterred they are determined to bring their 'good time party rock'n' roll' vibes to the masses. Aussie gravedigger's incredible career change Hot Machine weren't the only cool thing happening at the event in Melbourne last week. The evening featured a Modified Live exhibit featuring on-site guitar works with famed industry techs Michael Harron (Harron Custom Guitars) and Warwicke Newman (Tone Revival Engineering). caught up with Mr Harron who, ostensibly, has a very cool job setting up and customising guitars for major bands so they are perfect to play. He said it all started when he was 16 and took his guitar to a workshop to be modified. 'They overcharged me for a bunch of stuff I didn't ask for. Classic,' he said. 'And from then on, I vowed never to let anyone touch my guitar. 'I was a gravedigger at the time, so I was burying people during the day and then coming home to work on guitars at night. 'It came to the point where I could keep going with the grave digging and making money, but it was making me miserable, or I could pursue my passion. So I quit and never looked back.' Fifteen years later he is still living that passion and has made a name for himself by taking on crazy structural modifications and paint jobs for guitars that people used to turn their noses up at. He also has a masterclass in guitar mods that he takes on the road around Australia. A career-defining moment for him was the moment his favourite band Parkway Drive sent him 16 guitars to repair before recording a new album. 'I blacked out the next two weeks and managed to get everything done,' he said. 'I don't often look back on things that I've done. I try to keep my head forward, but that was a big one for me.'
