Women

The Mint Chicks: It’s them, not me

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

I was going to go with the headline “Chicks with dicks,” but thought that would be sophomoric and tasteless … and I don’t need people thinking I am either of those. Continuing with my fascination with male bands with female names (The Girls, Women), I give you The Mint Chicks.

I was actually in New Zealand around the same time The Mint Chicks made the big move to Portland … I thought they might be avoiding me. The Auckland trio came to the States in January despite their hugeness back home, where they’ve won every award possible for their 2006 Flying Nun release Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (re-released in the U.S. in September).

Brothers Kody and Ruban Nielson (vocals, keys; guitar respectively) and drummer Paul Roper are putting the finishing touches on their next record Screens, and announced this week that it should be out in February 2009. A few of the new songs including “Life Will Get Better Some Day” and “2010″ are available on the band’s MySpace.

I’ve seen the band use “troublegum” to describe their sound. It couldn’t be more accurate. The Mint Chicks take rock from the last four decades—including ’60s bubble gum, ’70s punk and new wave—and lets it loose with the nervous energy of an abused Chihuahua. When I listen in to them in the car sometimes I bob along with a goofy grin on my face, sometimes I just want to ram the bad driver in front of me … maybe it’s just me.

The Mint Chicks will play a handful of dates leading up to the release of Screens, including this Thursday at Portland’s Rotture. Check ‘em out. You might catch them hanging from the lighting rigs, or attacking the stage with a chainsaw (OK, it’s not just me). Maybe I should title this “Minters make splinters.” Perhaps not.

Mint Chicks dates (all Portland):

11/20 at Rotture with Bret Vogel
12/12 at Someday Lounge with Blue Horns
12/19 at Crystal Ballroom with the Presidents of the United States of America
1/3 at the Doug Fir with Lookbook and The Prids

“Life Will Get Better Some Day” - The Mint Chicks (Screens, 2009)

Video for “Walking Off a Cliff Again” off of Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!

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I get Women

Monday, November 10th, 2008 | interviewZ, musiX | No Comments

Calgary, Canada’s Women hides very well on the Internet (Google it … I triple-dog dare you), so I’ve found them for you. Little is known about these four lads, but here’s what I can tell you: Women formed less than a year ago and are already touring the world, playing dates with Swedish psych outfit Dungen and Montreal garage weirdos King Khan and BBQ Show. They love the Swell Maps (which makes me love Women). The band includes brothers Matthew and Patrick Flegel (bass and guitar, respectively; pictured in the middle). And they play some fine noise-pop captured in its grittiest, purest form to tape. I can hardly figure out women. But I do get Women.

At a time when ’60s psych-rock throwbacks are running rampant, Women are doing it without simply aping bands of yore. Their self-titled debut is fun and equally disturbing right down to the cover art. The band rolled through Portland with the aforementioned Dungen, and will make their way down the West Coast (including tonight at San Fran’s Bottom of the Hill) before heading across the pond for 14 dates.

Patrick Flegel took some time to talk about killing computers, shooting balls of fire at each other and sharing equipment with Van Halen.

TDoL: You realize that it’s almost impossible to find you on Google …
Patrick Flegel: Yes! We’re comfortable with that. Many people mention that and/or complain about it. I don’t think people know how to use the Internet.

Tell me about the shows with King Khan and BBQ Show.
Not only were the shows great, but we had the best time with those guys and their “crew.” We were laughing the whole time and occasionally shot balls of fire at each other. Mark [Sultan's] songs penetrate your mind and slice through your every thought like a flaming sword. They are great people and they know what they’re doing.

I’ve heard the music (can’t get enough of “Black Rice”), and I read you recorded the album on ghettoblasters and old tape machines. Do you fear technology?
Matt once set his elbow on fire and crushed this girl’s Mac Book. Our favorite recordings were done to tape so it just made sense to us. Recently we were lucky enough to record a track to 2-inch tape and use the same mixer that was used on “Hot for Teacher.”

There are elements of experimental and pop on the album; which comes more naturally? Which is easier to write?
They both come naturally. It depends on what kind of day one of us is having. Like if Chris is forced to deal with an insurance company he might proceed to record disgusting, sadistic ambient violence. Or if I’m too weak to end a relationship and I’ve been working a receiving job for 11 months I might turn to substance abuse and try to write an Eddie and Ernie song.

You’re getting attention from music rags and blogs from all over, and touring the States and Europe. What comes next?
More records and more touring. We want to put ourselves a position where we can get our recordings/live shows to sound the way we want them to. Support from promoters, bookers, show goers and record labels in the end will allow us to acquire the gear that we need to make things happen. We really appreciate it.

“Black Rice” - Women

“Group Transport Hall” - Women

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