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Chicago Band, Heather's Damage, is releasing their first CD, "Her Father's Son" on Sweet Pickle Music. Come out to the CD Release Pajama Party, Saturday, October 5th, 9pm, at the Prodigal Son, 2626 N. Halsted.
win a Heather's Damage cd!
 | | Heather's Damage |
The Diva caught up with Jennie and Aim from the band...
Diva: So, when did Heather's Damage start?
Aim: I think we were high and stranded in Indianapolis (waiting for a bus back to Chicago) when Jennie talked me into learning the drums starting a band.
Diva: So it began with the two of ya, Aim and Jennie...how did you
meet Steph, the base player?
Jennie: Well...Aim and I had been looking for the right bass player for quite some time. Then we got involved with Ladyfest Midwest Chicago. I sent an email out to everyone involved with that festival looking for a bass player and Stephanie responded. We quickly realized we were on the same page musically.
Aim: Yeah, Steph at that time didn't even play the bass, but was willing to learn. Then everything just fell into place.
Diva: I know bands hate to answer this, but describe your sound....what are your influences?
Jennie: I think bands HATE to answer this question because it's a hard question to answer-to stand back and ask, 'hey what do we sound like?' But here goes-we're a moody guitar based rock band with a dark sense of humor very similar to the movie the band is named after. Our influences are all over the place. There are influences that we all share like The Replacements, Bob Mould, Eleventh Dream Day, Galaxie 500, The Pixies, L7 and Red Red Meat. And then each of us brings in a host of individual influences.
Diva: They've been alot of women bands now, it's not such a novelty thank god...do you find that folks react to you as a "chick band", or are we past all that, do folks simply see you as musicians who play rock n' roll?
Aim: Jennie and I didn't start out looking to be in an all girl band. We hooked up because we preferred each other's company and collaboration to all others. Then it became about finding the right bass player- of whatever gender or transgender. So it happens that our musical soulmate (Steph) turns out to be female. I'm not even sure what "chick band" means-
Diva: Yeah, "chick band" is a stupid label, kinda condescending....
Jennie: I think people see us as musicians that play rock'n' roll because that's how we present ourselves....I don't think oh, I'm a girl who plays guitar. We play on a lot of rock bills with guy bands, co-ed bands, whatever. We just played a bill with Jason Narducy of Verbow, the Katie Todd band and Vortis which is this great all guy punk band. We like playing eclectic bills like that.
Diva: So you've got your first CD coming out, "Her Father's Son"...tell me a bit about this...
Aim: We recorded the CD in Madison, WI at Coney Island Studios with Wendy Schneider. It was our first time recording anything outside of our rehearsal space in a real studio- so we just picked 5 songs that we felt were ready (or close to ready) and put our trust in Wendy. Jennie and I met Wendy at Ladyfest- we had a great conversation and she gave us her band's (Bugatti Type 35) latest CD, Traction. I listened to the CD one time and knew I wanted to work with her. Thank god Jennie and Steph felt the same!
Diva: What's your favorite song/s on the CD?
Jennie: I don't know if I have a favorite song. Songs are like relationships - there's an ebb and flo to them. One week I love a song, then the next week I have issues with it. My favorite to play right now is probably Little Disaster Book. The sparseness of the guitar is fun for me. There's also a lot of changes in that song so it keeps me on my toes. And I always love screaming "this routine is killing me" at the end of Routine Killing.
Aim: Yeah, my favorite at the moment is probably Aimlessly or Routine Killing- I get to go a little nuts on the drums!
Diva: So, ya'll are having a huuuge CD release pajama party....
Aim: Well, Heather's Damage loves a good party! We wanted our CD release to be a celebration- an actual RELEASE, where everyone can just let go and have a great time. We are playing the show at a club we love (Prodigal Son) with people we adore- as musicians and as friends -The Negligents and Wendy Schneider. Putting everyone in pajamas seemed like a fun way to ensure a wild, but relaxed atmosphere- especially with Jessica Halem (of Hysterical Women) hosting. Plus we're giving away a lot of great shit from our sponsors all night long including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Early to Bed, Defiant Theatre, Three Penny Cinema, Chaser, Clarkes, Venus Zine, etc...
Diva: Many dykediva.com readers live outside of Chicago. Do you have any touring plans that go beyond the city?
Jennie: Yeah, we're going to start playing more and more shows throughout the Midwest starting with St. Louis in November. You can find out information on our website, heathersdamage.com.
Diva: Any advice to young girls who wanna be in a band?
Aim: Play with people you love-people who bring out the best in you and tolerate the worst in you. Don't let anyone tell you who to be or how to play-just be who you are and play what you feel. Musicians who do that are always the most interesting. And don't let something as fleeting as insecurity or stage fright keep you from putting yourself out there. Insecurity comes and goes (and is kind of endearing) and stage fright goes away eventually (for the most part).
Jennie: Yeah, I'd add that you should play music with your friends or people you can DISAGREE well with. And musically- learn to shut out the world and trust your own instincts which are always, always right.
Diva: Cool, thanks for your time....any other things you wanna add?
Aim: Just thanks to everyone who has gotten behind the band this last year-our label Sweet Pickle Music, Dykediva of course, Prodigal Son, Venus Zine, everyone at the shows...heather's damage is having a great ride so far...we know how lucky we are... Oh yeah, and "Her Father's Son" comes out October 1st (and is available at amazon.com).
Jennie: Come join us for the cd release party if you can!!!
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