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Grrlz will be BoiZ: Girls Rock!
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"Grrlz will be BoiZ might make you think of Charlie Brown because they dress like Peppermint Patty a..."Grrlz will be BoiZ might make you think of Charlie Brown because they dress like Peppermint Patty and they rock like Woodstock. Grrlz will be Boiz would fit right in here in California. Currently based in Texas, Grrlz will be BoiZ has a solid fan base in L.A.
Grrlz will be BoiZ was born in 2008 when one talented twosome—Sam-di Williams (vocals, rhythm guitar and percussion) and Amy Williams (lead guitar)—met another “play”ful pair—Amanda Williams (bass and backing vocals) and Melissa Nunam (drums). While the gals in the group are gay their sexuality is not the focus of the band. As Sami-di recently told your randy writer: “The band came together quite by accident and we weren't looking for just other lesbians or just other women to play with. It just kinda happened that way. We tell people that we're a ‘band of lesbians’ not a ‘lesbian band’. We want to play straight ahead rock n' roll for people who like that kind of thing whether they're gay or not.”
Before they knew it they had become serious about the music and were writing their own material. They were soon determined to take their tunes to the streets. Within a year they were lining up gigs, sharing their newly-formed signature sound with an audience.
Their music is often reminiscent of their influences such as the Indigo Girls, Bob Marley, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp. The lyrics are both entertaining and meaningful. The underlying musical message is “be yourself and love yourself”.
Before 2008 came to a close the band headed into the studio and put out their debut disc, an EP titled How We Ended Up This Way. Produced by Rob Surette (Eddie Money, Asleep at the Wheel), this five track release was highlighted by such cuts as the first version of “Burn (Amy Marie)” and the smokin’, sexy “Hot Nite”. “It’s been a hot nite/said you’d meet me on the floor/Said it’s been a hot nite/keep me comin’ back for more. . .”
The all too brief EP was enough to give the girls a chance to touch a broader audience and gain the group a growing following. The following year (2009) saw the band performing at such events as a concert for women’s rights, the Lickalotta festival in Georgia, the Austin Pride Festival and the annual FriendsFest Women's Music Festival in Texas, a co-billed guerilla showcase with God-dess & She during SXSW and the kickoff celebration for the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival. Their live gigs would even be captured on camera as the band released a DVD named Love makes It Happen, Music Makes It Sweet.
The movie focuses on a few of the femme foursome’s newer numbers: “Burn (Amy Marie)”, “Cry On”, “Mama’s Kitchen” and “Reticence”. It also features a “Backstage Pass” program that includes the gals making their trademark tees, in studio work, improv sessions and more memorable moments. They would also release a quick-to-sell out, limited edition CD sampler celebrating the Austin Pride Fest that included “Walk” and “She’s Beautiful” from their then upcoming album Burn Through Me.
2010 witnessed the girls back in action again at the annual FriendsFest Women's Music Festival in Texas and The Rockin’ For the Gulf benefit. They once more co-starred with God-dess & She for a second guerilla showcase during SXSW ‘10. More importantly, Grrlz will be BoiZ released their new, 11-track CD Burn Through Me.
The project is a compilation of “funk-pop roots rock”. These tuneful tales concern what makes the girls’ lives worth living: “life, love and music”. The album opens with “Mask”. This is just the beginning to a disc that focuses on their already familiar themes of perseverance and self-love. “. . . I’ve had my trials, had people spit in my face/But I know who I am now and it’s made me stronger/You can get there too won’t need that mask any longer/But it all comes down to you.”
The second selection is “Walk”. Sami-di’s vocals are vaguely reminiscent of one of their influences Janis Joplin. Here is a track where this female foursome rock hard and hot enough that guys in the audience would gladly follow the explicit directions given in the lyrics.
“Carried Away” is the next number. Again Sami-di’s vocals reveal a bit of Joplin growl mixed with a tinge of an Etheridge-like rasp. Meanwhile, Williams, Williams, Williams and Nunam back it up with some fuzzy guitar riffs and more hard-rocking, high energy instrumental work. This is followed by an encore performance of “Burn (Amy Marie)” a tight track off of their first disc.
“She’s Beautiful” follows here. This is yet another example of their heartfelt, hard-rockin’ music. It’s a torrid tribute tune and obviously personal.
“Hot Nite” is hot on the heels of the previous cut. This is another welcome encore off the above-mentioned EP. This one takes “Critic’s Choice” because it’s sultry, hot and it just plain works.
“Don’t Tell Her” is the next number. This is a slightly heavier, smoky tune. It’s another driven, rhythmic piece complete with a sound reminiscent of Jefferson Airplane and vocals with an early Grace Slick attitude.
Mama’s Kitchen” picks up the pace with a tuneful tale from the past and a salute to the family. The song focuses on the power of consistency of music. It includes tips of the hat to lost legend such as Elvis and Hendrix. It even references a classic albeit not weaker Billy Joel tune. Any band that pull off a line like: “Like Billy Joel said ‘it’s still rock’n’ roll to me”. (Your randy writer is confused because this is a girl group and yet it really takes balls to know you can make a line like that actually work!)
“Wash Away” and the socially conscious “Cry On” are yet more examples of the girls’ signature sound. It’s very familiar and yet somehow all their own. It’s a blend of interesting influences musically melded into an oft’times funky, bluesy heavy pop-rock, heart-on-their –sleeves songs. “Reticence” is the closing cut to a sharp album of well-written, melodious material. PinkKittyRadio.com is absolutely right. The “Grrlz” do indeed have “their sh*t together."
After some time playing gigs like SXSW '11 and promoting the album these musical mamas headed back to the studio again. Sami-di Williams said: “Currently our second full length album is in preproduction. It'll be a straight down the wire live recording that we hope captures some of the live show energy we feel is missing on Burn Through Me. We just finished participating in a 5K walk for NAMI to raise awareness for mental illness.”
She adds: “At the end of of the month on the 29th (of October) we're playing Lazy J Paradise's Halloween 'Scaradise' celebration and beginning Nov. 5th we're doing a monthly series with two other female fronted bands, Boys on the Inside and Julie Nolen and Telling Stories. It's called Grrlz vs. Boys and works like a traveling residency rotating between venues that we all frequent.”
Regarding your rascally reviewer's residential state of California Sam-di Williams said the band was “on a podcast out of Long Beach that gave” them an increase in Southern California fans and that they’d love to play L.A. In fact, she added it would be “career suicide” not to hit Los Angeles. She also admits: “It's L.A. and we're all fascinated with California . . . the west coast is highest on our list of ‘places we really NEED to hit’." So look out, L.A. (and the rest of the world), Grrlz will be BoiZ is comin’ to get ya!"
Will Phoenix, examiner.com, Los Angeles
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Grrlz will be BoiZ
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Grrlz will be Boiz
Grrlz will be BoiZ (GWbB) is not immune to discriminatory behaviors of th...Grrlz will be Boiz
Grrlz will be BoiZ (GWbB) is not immune to discriminatory behaviors of the male dominated music industry. Like numerous other women in the industry, this female rock group finds themselves often having to prove their abilities to male music peers and executives. “Sometimes the boys won’t even talk to us until after they hear us play,” which gave them the idea for their band name. “If the boys will be boys, then the Grrlz will be BoiZ too.”
The playfulness in their name is another medium that shows these ladies creativity and innovativeness. “The grrl spelling gives you a hint to how we sound and the boi spelling lets people know we are gay,” says Sami. Sami Williams is the bands rhythm guitar player, composer and lead vocalist. As the songwriter for the group, Sami mimics the example of folk rock singer, Amy Ray. “She really has a way of painting a picture to go with the story in any song. You can close your eyes and live any of Ray’s songs.”
GWBB has been able to create a similar powerful effect through their music. “I’m not one of those people that can sit down and just write a song. Life compels me to write.”
The other three band members are Amy Williams, Sami’s wife, Melissa Nunan, and Amanda Williams, Melissa’s wife. That’s right, “four women, two couples, one solid band.” Amy is the band's lead guitar and aux percussion player. She learned to play a variety of instruments at a young age, but the guitar is a favorite, which she taught herself to play. “I can recall sleeping with them.” For Amy, there is an emotional connection when she plays music, which she feels is necessary to convey to her listeners. “As an artist, I’m always trying to put as much emotion
as I can into my guitar parts, so people can feel what the song is about.”
Melissa is the drummer and a backup vocalist. She recalls asking her father if she could learn to play the drums. “He fully supported my musical endeavors.” Her father brought her drum set and took lessons with her so they could play music together. Events like these taught her valuable lessons. As a result, she is the glue that keeps the band together.
Amanda is the bass player, and a backup vocalist and the troublemaker in the group. She is always the first to poke fun and joke around with band members and their fans. Even though, she loves to play around, she takes her music very seriously. “Music is what I was meant to do.” She recalls the first time her wife placed a bass in her hands. “Call it a drummer’s intuition.” Melissa had been, for years, searching to find the other half of her rhythm section. She found it in
her musical partner and lover, Amanda, both on and off the stage.
The love these four women have for each other plays out beautifully through their music. The group released their first CD, Burn Through Me, back in March. Simply put, it’s great! A must buy. You cannot help but bop your head to their funky, rock sound that exuberates from their music. Along with catchy lines like, “you're not the only one trying to keep the pace, because I’ve had my trials had people spit in my face,” that makes listeners go, wow! These ladies may not refer to themselves as poets, but true lyricists they are, which adds a unique edge to their rock sound. Songs like “Mask,” “Walk,” “Cry On,” and “Hot Nite,” show the great musical talent these women possess as musicians, artists and lyricists. Their beautifully written,
melodious, yet hard sound, exemplifies everything that they are passionate about involving life, love and their music. For instance, in “Cry On”, the slow, silky beat immediately grabs your attention. The song opens with “cry on jaded woman, bury what you know. Live your life contented counting beads to save your soul” With an opener like that, you want to listen to what they will say next. “Cry On” shows a softer side of the group, but the hard sounds of the guitar throughout the song, reminds you that this rock and roll band is to be taken seriously. Members of the band want people to let go and have a good time when listening to their music, while connecting with the larger message their music echoes – be you and love yourself.
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OUTlander Spotlight: Grrlz will be BoiZ
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The OUTlander Fall Festival is HERE. Check out the latest OUTlander Spotlight from music writer Fred...The OUTlander Fall Festival is HERE. Check out the latest OUTlander Spotlight from music writer Freddie Rodriguez as he chats with Grrlz will be BoiZ who are kicking this off today on the patio at Rusty's.
Boys will be boys. And, Grrlz will be BoiZ with their rock/funk-pop/roots-rock. Find out more about this OUTlander Fall Festival 2011 act in this EXCLUSIVE 5Q Spotlight interview.
What will you bring to the OUTlander Fall Festival that no other act will?
A consistent message throughout almost every song encouraging people to know themselves, be themselves, and love themselves, which is a pretty appropriate message for a Pride celebration and (we believe) for every day. We do it without a heavy hand, choosing instead to make people dance while they think.
Do you approach festival shows differently than your own one-off shows?
Absolutely! In our one-off shows, people know us. They're there to see US. When we're in a festival situation, it gives us an opportunity to reach out to a much wider audience. The Lickalotta Fest in Dahlonega, GA brought us fans from all over the southeast. The live stream of our Invasion of the GoGirls performance increased our fan count as well. We also saw a surge in Texas fans after playing Girl Jam and the Official Lesbian Party for Pride in Houston. Putting your music out there in any form is important, but playing a live show for a new audience can be a huge opportunity for converting fans.
You don't really know us until you've seen us live. So, if we go in knowing all of that, we take everything into consideration; what songs are we going to choose when we have 45 minutes to wow people? What's our opener going to be and how are we getting their attention? What are we ending on? What's the flow going to be like and is this a situation where high energy is going to work all the way through or should the set wax and wane a little? Do we have enough merch in stock to help these new people spread the word? There's also the theme or purpose of the festival itself to consider if there is one. Do we say something else in addition to the music or just let the songs do our talking?
We also promote a lot more. Posters, handouts, mailing list, social networks, again and again. We want our current fans on board as well.
Explain the Grrlz will be BoiZ sound to me.
This is always a tough one for us. You can listen to all of our songs back-to-back and tell that it's the same artist, but putting that into a single genre is difficult. For the most part we walk a classic rock line but we zig and zag that line into soul, r&b, folk rock, funk, and alt. rock. For us, it's all rock and roll and we take what we need when we need it. If a song started with and is built around an Amanda bass line it's gonna’ come off kinda’ funky. If it starts with Amy and Mel messing around on guitar and drums, it takes on a more alternative sound. If it started with Sam and an acoustic guitar, pen and pad, you get folk rock or classic rock. If you average out the whole thing, it's like Melissa Etheridge singing lead for the Black Crowes. (We used to use Maroon 5 as a comparison, but they're going all disco on us now.)
I think I’ve asked this once before to Jenni Lord of Lipstick Letters for another therepubliq.com interview [who also happen to be playing the OUTlander Fall Festival], but is there such a thing as lesbian music? Or are there just lesbians that make music? Or just women and people that make music and music is music? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Thanks SO much for asking that question. There's no need to discuss it further, we talk about it all the time. We used to tell people that we're a band of lesbians, NOT a lesbian band. We didn't even go into this seeking out other lesbians or even other women to play with. It was a happy accident. We play rock and roll for people who want to listen to rock and roll. We don't think there is any such thing as gay music or black music or whatever kind of demographic label you want to put on a sound. We're all pretty happy that people like Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly ignored the "race music" labels so many decades ago, you know? Where would this music that we love be without the influence of people of all stripes? The clear answer is – it wouldn't be…at all.
Admittedly, from a lyrical standpoint, we write things that lesbians might relate to better. For example, we talk about love never being wrong and if we write a love song, it's by a girl, FOR a girl. But, the flip side to that is "straight" love songs that are always written about the opposite gender. It never stopped us from liking songs from “Peggy Sue” to “Iesha” or “[Stay Away] from Bill” to “Edge of Seventeen.” So, it is possible to reach a straight couple with a lesbian love song or any other song performed by LGBT artists, unless that artist is making a conscious decision to exclude straight people. For the record, we haven't met that artist, yet. Some of the biggest fans of our song, “Burn (Amy Marie)” are straight fans, so I guess they're not letting gender or orientation get in the way.
We should add to this that we, ourselves, are as lesbian as they come. WE are LGBT artists, lesbian musicians, and we are proud of all that we are and make no efforts to hide any of it. But, we hope to play music for everyone.
Okay. What are Grrlz? What are BoiZ? And, what is Grrlz will be BoiZ all about?
For us, Grrlz are people who identify as female and brazenly, fearlessly commit to being themselves even if that means crossing a gender line here and there. A woman not defined by arbitrary, imaginary lines in the sand. BoiZ are people who have some (or many) masculine tendencies whether they're inward or outward, regardless of that person's sex, gender or orientation. Tomboys. We were all called tomboys throughout our childhoods and it wasn't always a compliment. Now it is. Because we say so.
When we first started this family, it was me (Sam) and Melissa. We were what was left when the dust settled from the collapse of our previous band. We talked on the phone one day and we were throwing out potential band names. Melissa said something about us all being a little older than average for a start-up. I said that if men our age, in this town, did the same thing, just quit the day job, dropped everything and picked up instruments, and started a band, people would just say, "Boys will be boys." The phrase works for men and boys no matter the age or the activity. It is carte blanche for "WTF, do what you want." So, Melissa said, "Well, girls will be boys, too." I'm sure there was a pause between us but it was a very Lucy-Van-Pelt-screaming-at-Schroeder-"THAT'S IT!!!!!!"-kind-of-moment (one of a million to come). We used the riot grrl spelling because we wanted people to know it was a rock project at heart We used the boi spelling so that people would know that we were lesbians from the beginning. We'd rather know up front if someone has a problem with that so that we can just choose to not work with them.
Rock and roll has broken down barriers before and it will continue to do so. It's something we think is unique to the music that we play. The first American invention that has a little of all of us represented. It is classical music, folk music, country music, gospel music, and more all simmering in a blues stew. So, boiled down it's just "This is our dream and we're not letting anything stand in the way. Not gender, orientation, race, prejudice, nothing." But, "Grrlz will be BoiZ" takes less time to say.
We're about increasing the love. Bringing about understanding and positivity. It sounds very hippie-like to say, but we think it's what's needed. Who better to complete our family than Mel's partner, Amanda on bass and my partner, Amy on lead guitar. We've created a situation where the very foundation is unconditional love in the face of diversity. There are several races and national origins represented in just the four of us, different backgrounds, different tastes, vastly different personalities and even some mental illness sprinkled in for a challenge, but at the end of the day we each see three women we love more than most in this world and there isn't anything any of us wouldn't do for any of the others. The connection makes the music come easy like you're working with other parts of yourself and not with different people. It's easy because in the end, we practice what we preach. Love.
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Grrlz will be Boiz
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Sami D. William’s mother used to sing Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobbie McGee at bedtime. I’m sure ... Sami D. William’s mother used to sing Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobbie McGee at bedtime. I’m sure her mother knew the effect this would have on her daughter because Sami grew up to be one of the best vocalists you will ever hear.
Grrlz Will Be Boiz is an Austin, Texas-based indie rock band that is fast making waves in the capital and beyond with their eclectic blend of roots rock and blues. The band consists of Sami D. Williams on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Amy Williams on lead guitar, Amanda Williams on bass and Melissa Nunan on drums. The members are actually a close-knit family so that gives them an edge with songwriting skills and ideas. Songs are based on personal experiences with family, relationships and society’s mores.
Grrlz Will Be Boiz are two lesbian couples. Though this may raise eyebrows in the soccer mom crowds, it only fuels them with material to sing about. The band has only been around for a little over two years yet it sounds like it has been around longer than that. They have released an EP and full-length CD of creative, intense songs.
They also perform some impressive covers live; The Beatles Come Together, Lou Reed’s Sweet Jane, Janis Joplin’s Me & Bobby McGee, Tom Petty’s Mary Jane’s Last Dance and Joan Jett’s I Hate Myself For Loving You. They give each song new life with their own interpretation. And, of course there is that amazing Amy sound that will stamp any song with that Grrlz Will Be Boiz identity.
Sami has that raspy voice that brings to mind Melissa Etheridge, Marianne Faithful and Alannah Myles. She can be loud and brash on songs like Walk and Reticence or go smooth and velvety on Cry On and Wash Away. She has a commanding stage presence and knows how to work a crowd. She has a way of making the audience feel like old friends.
Amanda slings her bass low much like Suzi Quatro and works it like the pro she is. Her talent is especially outstanding on “Reticence”, a song that would be a hit if only the music industry preferred substance over fluff. Amanda also provides most of the background vocals.
Melissa may be in the back behind those drums when GWBB plays live but she is a powerhouse backbone that drives the band. Along with Amanda, she blows that rhythm section through the roof.
Instead of aspiring to or mimicking guitar greats, Amy created her own guitar sound that is mesmerizing and haunting as on the amazing Hot Nite or Wash Away.
You may not have heard of Grrlz Will Be Boiz but you will soon because this is a young, hungry band full of talent and originality. Listen to one song and you’re hooked.
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For Girls who Love Grrlz will be Boiz
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If you haven’t heard the musical musings of Grrlz will by Boiz yet, it’s time you did! The all-lesb...If you haven’t heard the musical musings of Grrlz will by Boiz yet, it’s time you did! The all-lesbian band–comprised of two madly in love couples, no less!– is hosting a CD Release Party tomorrow night (Saturday 3/13) at Rusty Spurs at 10pm. Their new album, “Burn Through Me” is pretty fantastic, and the party is worth checking out for so many reasons.
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Grrlz will be BoiZ
"Great sound! They've got their shit together." Chrissy Casillas
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Out Smart Calendar of Events
"hard-rocking, Austin-based lesbi-quartet" Nancy Ford
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Get Out with Kerry Kel
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"Truly, deeply rooted in classic rock. If you can imagine Melissa Etheridge singing lead for The Bla..."Truly, deeply rooted in classic rock. If you can imagine Melissa Etheridge singing lead for The Black Crowes, or sitting in with The Staple Singers, you're about halfway home to understanding Grrlz Will Be Boiz."
~Kerry Kel
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Gay Pride 2009
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Anyone in the South should consider making a road trip to Austin on June 6th. An attendance of thous...Anyone in the South should consider making a road trip to Austin on June 6th. An attendance of thousands is expected in Republic Park (where) Grrlz Will Be Boiz will play this year’s Austin Pride.
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Austin Pride Fest
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"The Pride Festival begins, and your venerable Gay Place will be... wandering the Festival grounds....."The Pride Festival begins, and your venerable Gay Place will be... wandering the Festival grounds... enjoying the performances... and listening to the inimitable sounds of Grrlz Will Be Boiz. "
- Andy Campbell, The Austin Chronicle
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Austin Pride Fest
"Fine local talent."
supersonic
I'm Sorry (Live at Bermuda Triangle, San Antonio, TX)
