An exhausted Marty Brown casually offered up this week’s “Music of the Weak” spot late last night. Always ready to take advantage of Mr. Brown, I cooed and lulled him to sleep with reassurances that everything would be just fine. Now, let’s party.
Having no idea what I wanted to write about, I cruised around the interwebs looking for inspiration. Excited by the task at hand and all the freedom I’d been given to muck with Marty’s world, I found myself feeling a bit randy, and that’s when it hit me; I’d write about the hot chicks of rawk who make me tingle in my naughty bits. This could easily unfold into a novel length essay, so I’ll just focus on the first 5 that catch my eye and I’ll try to make this quick and dirty.
First up, The Breeders. This hot chick fronted influence on my angsty teenage years just shot a video in St Louis on Valentines Day for an upcoming EP. Now, I’m a Breeders fan, sure, but what really tickles me is that this video features the Arch Rival Roller Girls, St Louis’ all female Flat Track Roller Derby League. Holy fishnet patterned bruises, what have I done to deserve this? The pairing of wildly competitive, sexed up, ass kicking, retro punk power houses on wheels with the raw, lo-fi sounds from The Breeders has this grrrrl all wound up with sweet anticipation. Gimme, gimme, gimme! Of course I haven’t heard the song yet, but they’ve been pretty reliable with their sound so I’m just going to imagine the video set to any of their other tunes until I finally get a peek.
Speaking of videos, I’ve watched the new Fever Ray video, When I Grow Up, about 20 times today and I find it thrilling in that dangerous/coo coo/sexy way. We see Karen Dreijer looking like a woman-child in a familiar suburban backyard standing over a leaf littered swimming pool dressed up in scraps from her arts and crafts box; I assume trying to call upon some earth spirits or something. At first I was confused about why I find this imagery arousing, but after some deep soul searching I realize its because I was the weird girl who did this same kind of shit in my backyard while I was going through puberty and first attempting to tap into the power that is my sexuality. Heavy, right? Well, whether that’s it or not I’m going to watch this video a few more times while wearing my little blue nightgown I’ve had on all damn day and fantasize about standing in the wind and howling at the storm clouds. Note: The creepy father/uncle/neighbor figure that appears in the window of the house does take me out of the moment a bit, but let’s face it, he was a part of it too.
Another new release that has me feeling all wriggly inside is Zero by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Basically, I think you could record Karen O singing lasagna recipes to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In" and I’d still imagine transforming into a wildcat on the prowl, ready to devour my lover/victim, but thankfully this is more fun. Of course there are haters who find the switch to synth distasteful and to them I say poo poo. While the overall sound may be subdued compared to earlier YYYs, there’s still a sexy, gritty rock current through this tune that will keep me coming back for more. The anonymous dominatrix imagery mixed with the familiar lighthearted dance beats makes it easy to tap into your dirty side, which is always a good thing.
In other chicks that rock news, Portishead has just been released from their Island Records deal and the band is asking fans for tips on how to make money now that they’re independent. Here’s an idea: find a way to make me a multi-millionaire and I’ll just give them the money to keep making delicious music with Beth Gibbons’ hauntingly erotic vocals. Yet another band that hearkens back to that pivotal time in my girlhood, Portishead is a guaranteed mood changer for me and I would really appreciate it if they would keep making songs suitable for my boudoir mixes from here to eternity. Yes this includes songs like Machine Gun. Hot, hot, hot. Meow. Hot.
And finally, M.I.A. has had a healthy baby boy. I would love to say there’s something sexy about this, because I find M.I.A. to be one of the hottest hotties out there, but I simply cannot. I offer hearty congratulations, but unlike some women who apparently have orgasms while giving birth (Wha??? Ugh!), I am unable to feel at all tingly about this. Perhaps when she stops lactating.
But then, of course, it’s not actually these women who turn me on, but the art that they create and the raw power I feel coming from their music. I don’t lust for these artists; rather I relish the lusty emotions they ignite in me. And yes, I understand that there are also men in these bands, but as a woman I’m choosing to identify with the women, so suck it.
Well, Marty and fans of Marty, I hope this little exercise was as good for you as it was for me, or at least not as painful as it was for me to re-read this hoopla. And while I am very happy to hand “Music of the Weak” back to Mr. Brown, it’s been a pleasure playing around in here. Kisses!
-Spitfire
aka Sarah Engelman, 2009
YEAH!!! Suck it!
(I've been saying that all day and referencing you.)
Muy impressivo, my darling. Mad, mad skills. Bravo.
I feel all feisty and girled up now.
Thank you and Rock on.
xoxo
Posted by: nina | 2009.02.17 at 22:52
Man! Nice moves Spitfire! Great to get some feminine wiles up in here! Cranks up the temperature a few notches!
I love that Fever Ray video - looks like she's trying to resurrect Cthulhu with Butoh!
Sometimes I want Karen O to crack an egg on my forehead and criticize my driving skills. Am I a normal guy?
Posted by: Squidhelmet | 2009.02.17 at 23:34
I have a strange urge to smoke a cigarette after that.
(extra strange, 'cause I don't even smoke ...)
Posted by: Guy Smiley | 2009.02.18 at 00:45
Nice job, Sarah. You did a wonderful job filling in for Marty!
I also think MIA is extremely hot, but I will say my attraction for MIA has increased at a proportion that directly corresponds to the love for my beautiful fiance.
Portishead is just ridiculously erotic, I agree.
Posted by: Kenny | 2009.02.18 at 11:04
Ooh new Breeders, awesome.
Posted by: Sean Witzke | 2009.02.18 at 12:23
oooooh getcher leather on.
Well done.
Posted by: seth hurley | 2009.02.18 at 13:07
New Breeders? Word.
Posted by: Zebtron A. Rama | 2009.02.20 at 14:49