We caught up with Whiskey Bitches, who are playing the second installment of On The Rise at LPR this Saturday 9/5. Read on to see what they had to say about how the band came together, the source of their musical energy, what it’s like to be band in NYC, and (of course) their favorite tacos!
LPR: Tell us a bit about Whiskey Bitches! How did you guys meet?
Madge: Well it’s been a rocky path to this show honestly. The band started with three girls thinking we’d do one show as this joke side project. Then it just went so well we got another show and another and another. Our original drummer was the incredibly talented folk/rock/blues singer songwriter Lora Faye who clearly is busy with her own music. So we tried out some people and ended up with our first full time drummer Laura who lasted about 7 months before deciding she wanted to do other things (and now has a beautiful child of her own so she knew what she was doing). After that it took us about 4 months to find Eli who would be with us through EP 2 and all of 2014 but after a promotion at the NYTimes he, understandably, decided he couldn’t commit to it anymore. Then our current drummer Glenn, who’d been filling in for a few shows here and there fall of 2014, joined full time. Kate and I were growing apart pretty rapidly the first half of 2015 and so by mid summer we recruited Kristi, from fellow locals Hawt Mess, to take over on bass moving forward. This will be her very first show with us and I’m very happy about the current line up it only makes the show that much more exciting for us.
Describe your performances in three words.
Madge: Energetic Raw Loud
You guys told Pancakes and Whiskey a bit about your sound: “It’s […] whiskey, pop, beats up a girl at a bar and makes out with boys, boozy brunches, boozy bitches. How about not giving a FUCK about anything except getting what you want out of life.” What does that mean for your sound? What bands inspired you?
Madge: At that time the description was a way to avoid getting too trapped into a genre box while explaining the life that was behind the music at the time. I’ve certainly calmed down a bit. The most important thing about it is trying to be genuine and to keep from feeling too limited which I struggle with often especially with a name like Whiskey Bitches. It’s easy to get caught up in what that does or doesn’t imply about what we “should” sound like but in all honestly it’s just what it is. Trying to do anything except write the best most honest songs you can is waste of time. I was just reading an interview with Zac from FIDLAR about exactly the same feelings in writing their most recent record. You get caught up trying to sound like yourself before letting go and just saying oh yeah, it’s just us so anything we do gets to count. Some bands that I’m inspired by would be The Kills, Savages, Sia, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails (or just all things Trent Reznor), London Grammar, lots of pop music but that’s usually a song by song basis though I’ve got a soft spot for Rihanna tracks, I’m really into this song Drive by Oh Wonder and this club banger Love Myself by Hailee Steinfeld. I’m really fascinated by pop songs I know money has a lot to do with what gets heard, but I’m still always impressed with how massive hits are structured and what makes them so likable on such a grand scale.
How has performing in NYC been for you? Do you guys have a city you’re itching to perform in or venue you like best?
Madge: NYC is a great city to cut your teeth because people don’t give a fuck here. You have to really work hard to get to them, which is good, it’s challenging and the talent level is so high here being memorable or impressive takes a lot of heart and hard work.
This is a really important question: favorite tacos in NYC?
Madge: Ooooo that’s tough. The fish tacos from the street cart on Bedford and Metropolitan are really good and very affordable not to mention on my way from the train to practice space. So are the tacos at Lo-Res (Nighthawk’s bar).
Glenn: Al pastor tacos from El Rey del Sabor cart and Essex Taqueria!
On The Rise started because LPR wanted to expose people to new bands around town. Who have you seen recently that you think our readers should consider checking out?
Madge: Slothrust, Highly Suspect, New Myths, Psychic Twin, Boytoy, Thick, and for some bad ass punk, check out Surfbort.
Glenn: Bangladeafy, Butcher Knives, Franz Nicolay, COMRADES
What would your dream bill be? Any acts you’d love to see together?
Madge: I’ve still never seen The Kills (though that will be changing soon hopefully), I’d love to be on a show with them NIN and Queens of the Stone Age, just so I could meet them all :). Oh, also I’d be thrilled to play with the foo fighters anything with Dave he just seems like the funniest dude and cool to hang with. Dream shows: a show with Elle King and Slothrust and Highly Suspect because it would be funny to say remember when we were just getting drunk in Bushwick talking about where we’re all going.
Glenn: Playing a party with a bonfire and a mini-ramp
Don’t miss Whiskey Bitches, Edith Pop and The Naked Heroes this Saturday, September 5 at LPR!
Photo credit: David Burlacu