The Fems of Feb.
The Dishrags formed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1977...three teenage girls: Jade Blade - singer & guitar; Dale Powers - bass: & Scout - drums.
They were influenced by the Ramones & the Clash. They set out to create their own short, sharp shocks. They moved to the more punk-friendly Vancouver scene in 1978 where bands like D.O.A & the Pointed Sticks were already defining the sound of western Canada's punk scene.
The Dishrags debuted their sound on the legendary Vancouver Complication anthology, recording two tracks, "Bullshit" & "I Don't Love You". "I Don't Love You" is a true classic punk song from one of the first all-female groups in the world...103 seconds long, built on an insistent, scratchy guitar riff & a positively crazed drum part played primarily on the ride cymbal.
The Dishrags followed up with a slightly more polished three-track Past is Past EP. After a lineup change (Dale Powers left & second guitarist Sue MacGillivray & bassist Kim Henriksen joined the group), the band traveled to London to record the Death in the Family EP produced by Chris Spedding (or just stayed in Vancouver where the EP was produced by Pointed Sticks guitarist Bill Napier-Hemy...you decide). Either way, the EP disappeared almost immediately & shortly thereafter the Dishrags broke up.
This release contains the Vancouver Compilation tracks, the two EPs, & ten previously unheard Dishrags originals & covers.
I Don't Love You
Bullshit
Past is Past
Tormented
Love is Shit (it’s Goodbye)
Love/Hate
Carry On
You Fit the Picture
Sold Out
Cement
Silence
Can't Wait
Quiet Little Table
Nowhere to Hide
Death in the Family
Beware of Dog
All the Pain
I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You (Ramones cover)
Vicious (Lou Reed cover)
Janie Jones (Clash cover)
Loving Person
Friday Night Date
Cravin' A...
High Society Snob
Gang War
Enjoy,
NØ
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ReplyDeleteCool. Ain't heard of this.
ReplyDeleteThe Dishrags are said to be the first all-fem punk band. Glad you found them here. Much of these tunes were unreleased until this. They simply had two EPs & two comp. tracks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, The Dishrags are a great little find
ReplyDeleteDishrags...definitely much more than throw-away paper towels.
ReplyDeleteNew to me too -- thanks Nate!
ReplyDelete