The Gore Gore Girls - Motor City She Devils!

By Jens

Detroit is exploding with interesting bands at the moment, and The Gore Gore Girls are one of the forerunners. Their brand of rock'n'roll could be described as a less campy Cramps (which they toured with) injected with more rhythm'n'blues influences. I was planning to include this interview in Lowcuts 'Girls Wanna Rock' issues but they were too busy touring. Well, regardless of gender The Gore Gore Girls are one of the most exciting combos on the scene today, their kickass "Up All Night" album always finds a way to my stereo, and they visited Loppen, Copenhagen, a while ago and delivered an impressive show loaded with twang, showmanship and sexy rawness. Singer, guitarist and group founder Amy Surdu were kind enough to spill the beans on this hot Detroit combo.

LC: Gimme some Gore Gore Girls band history.

Amy Surdu: I formed the band in around 1996. Gore Gore Girls had one of our first shows opening for the Detroit Cobras in July of '97 at the Gold Dollar in Detroit. I think that was the second show. The first single came out in 1999 and is since out of print, a local guy named Charles put it out. We did one song I wrote called "Mama in the Movies" and then the flip is a cover, "Hit You Hard", a Real Kids' song. All recorded in a glass shop in Redford, MI by Jeff Meier, then in the Cobras and Rocket 455. He now plays in The Shanks backing Nathaniel Mayer. The first album was "Strange Girls" (2000) and the second was "Up All Night" (2002). We just self-released an EP for tour with The Cramps called "7 X 4 Gore" (2004), on G4 Records. I'm working on a licensing deal now to have that released in Europe by fall 2005.

LC: You went from a trio to a 4-piece?

Amy: Yes, Gore Gore Gore was a three piece up until last year (2004). I wanted to work with another guitarist, especially for the live shows. I found Marlene Hammerle hiding under a rock. She was just hanging around not playing with anyone. Actually we met in a bar and got cross-eyed drunk talking about Gretsch guitars and our mutual obsession with Ike and Tina. I am very particular about guitar tone and style, and she is absolutely perfect. And she can, and does, kick my ass regularly. I kind of like it.

LC: Muffy Kroha (of the fellow Detroit rockers Sirens) did backing vocals on a couple of tracks on the "Up All Night" album?

Amy: Yeah, Muffy is Dan Kroha's sister, Danny Doll Rod from the Gories and The Demolition Doll Rods. She has an incredible voice and a great sense of style. I'm lucky to have worked with her. We had Casey Dawson from The Riots on 7 X 4, she can harmonize well and she can really belt it out. http://www.theriots.com

LC: Musical inspirations for Gore Gore Girls?

Amy: Lately I'm listening to more new stuff than ever before, I usually listen to exclusively late 50's and 60's RnR and R&B. Its cool, I like hearing what other people are doing now like The Hard Lessons, The Paybacks and The Sights, all from Detroit. I'm also way into The Tough & Lovely (Columbus, OH), Mr. Airplane Man, The Tennessee Tearjerkers and anything Jeffrey Evans (Memphis, TN) does. Core influences for me are Bo Diddley, Ike & Tina, The Kinks, The Marvelettes, The Ronettes and at the top of the heap Iggy & The Stooges. I also have a soft spot for Aerosmith. Me like Joe Perry.

LC: The new "7 x 4" EP?

Amy: We went in with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders Detroit intending to work on full length #3, working title "'Get The Gore". Then the call from The Cramps came in for tour and we wanted to put something out for that that represented the material we were doing and the new 4 piece lineup. We chose the best of the songs that were ready for '7 X 4'. It is easily the best thing Gore Gore Girls have put out to date. We have some killer tunes in the can for the full length that we are working on now.

LC: Your take on the Detroit scene anno 2005?

Amy: Detroit remains fertile ground for music. Bands keep coming out of here that rival music anywhere. The Cyril Lords are kicking some shit right now, and Thunderbirds Are Now! are fantastic. As far as the bands that were starting when GGG did - they either broke up or are well known touring bands now. We rarely see each other anymore 'cause everyone is on the road.

LC: Covers vs. original songs. What do you enjoy playing most?

Amy: Both. Depends on the night and what songs we have been doing a lot. I really dig the Treez cover we do, "You Lied to Me Before". It is unlike anything I've written, both the guitar and the vocals. So it's interesting to do. Plus the fuzz line in it makes me crazy, I can play with my Mosrite on the whole song.

LC: The previous issue of Lowcut had a 'Girls Wanna Rock' theme. Whats the pros and cons about playing in an all girl rock'n'roll band?

Amy: Well I would like it if people asked me more about music than being in an all girl band, really. As for your question, I think the pros beget the cons. People want to come see you, watch the girls move and pick out which one they like the best. The fact remains that a woman has to be better than a male musician for people to respect her. This band does not rely on our tits, we can play circles around any boy band. We are musicians and entertainers and we are good at what we do.

LC: Is "Gore Gore Girls" you fave Herschell Gordon Lewis film? What other films and directors do like?

Amy: "Gore Gore Girls" will always rank high, but lately "She Devils on Wheels" in my favorite. Other producers, well I adore William Castle's work. He was a genius. If you're not familiar, he did "Homicidal", "House on Haunted Hill", "Mr. Sardonicus", and "Straight Jacket", the latter being Joan Crawford's last film ("The Tingler" is a fave Castle flick of mine). William Castle also co-produced "Rosemary's Baby". Yes, the "Rosemary's Baby" with Mia Farrow. Frank Sinatra divorced Farrow over that movie! He didn't want her to do it but she did it anyway. He had the papers served on set.

LC: Clothes, outfits, and boots are important to the band's stage act?

Amy: Of course. I personally adore boots and wear them all the time. It would not be a Gore Gore Girls show without our costumes and boots.

LC: Isn't it a bitch to play in those high heels?

Amy: Once you get used to it and if they're well made, it's alright. But breaking in a new pair is rough and if you break your toe you're fucked!

LC: What are the best bands you have shared a bill with? You played with The Cramps….

Amy: The Cramps. Hands down.

LC: Anything to add?

Amy: Gore Gore Girls will be in Finland and Germany this June and then in Europe again fall of 2005. Thank you for the interview!

http://www.goregoregirls.com