The Catholic Girls
Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | INDIE
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Summer Vacation/Rock’n America – I know what you’re saying: Maybe there was a time when The Catholic Girls just stepped up there to show they could whip out the riffs with as much testosterone as the boys. No one car argue this, yesterday or today, yet this band has also shown over and over that they can still rock and roll with the kids and the grown-ups, without the cheesy allure of some re-tread retro act scraping at crumbs in search of a comeback.
We recently checked out their new single CD Summer Vacation/Rock’n America and it shows two sides of The Catholic Girls. First, the song “Summer Vacation” is mixed with a jaunty pop tensions and hints of dark promise in the smooth mutation of The Bangles and Go Gos meeting classic girl groups like The Chiffons. Maybe that sounds like a corny mouthful, but it’s a catchy song with a classic theme, about falling in love, yeh-yeh, on summer vacation (Hey “he had a low IQ too so it was cool).
The title tune “Rock’n America” kicks ass at a 180-degree contrast, as the band jumps right into “Blitzkreig Bop” attack mode in a face-front guitar/vocal assault that’s rightly dedicated to Joey Ramone. Gail’s Blondie meets Suzie on Joey vox definitely works for me, better than some of the other pop-grounded stuff, while riffing and reverting between some chilln’ intersong cries and whispers, as the whole thing ends in a rollicking, crunchy “Hey ho let’s go” send up!”
- The Aquarain
Although this is just a two-song disc, it is important in a sense because the band has essentially preserved the early punk/new-wave sound prevalent in the late '70s/early '80s. Originally formed in the '80s, the Catholic Girls have played with a slew of big names, such as Tom Petty, REM, the Kinks, the Ramones, and others. So there's a chance you may have seen them in the past, and chances are I have too, I'm just scratching my head and trying to remember where or when. As for the two songs, the first, "Summer Vacation" is a heartfelt tribute to the late Joey Ramone, upbeat and perky in the verse, changing over to a minor-chord chorus. The other song, "Rock'n America" lives up to its title, garage heavy in sound, quick chord changes, reminiscent of early Ramones. Gail Petersen's voice can be easy or harsh, vacillating between a Belinda Carlisle and a Siouxsie (of Banshee fame). For me, however, there's a sense of authenticity, of lineage, as the band stays true to its original sound and the days of its formation. Other bands may be influenced by the '80s; the Catholic Girls are the real deal.
- Street Beat
Kicking off with the movingly forlorn and wistful “Summer Vacation,” stompin’ up a stirring sonic storm with the splendidly gutsy and invigorating “Rock’n America,” and concluding with a hugely enjoyable bunch of short’n’snappy soundbites, this terrifically vibrant and melodic CD single delivers a winningly radiant platter exploding with lotsa spot-on sparkiness and sassiness, served up hot and tasty with no pretense to get in the way of the straight-out rollicking fun.
- Logo Magazine
I met and hung out with even more rock royalty, The Catholic Girls. In NYC to record their new album, I did learn that the Archdiocese in Rhode Island banned them from performing there because their song "God Made You for Me," suggested that God might be a woman. - Robert Urban - May 2005 - After Ellen
Discography
DISCOGRAPHY:
MEET THE CATHOLIC GIRLS (2006) (Note: The first copies of this CD replicates the appearance of a vinyl record!) Rock 'n America, Should Have Been Mine, Some Boys, Desperate, Night Shift (The Jersey Song), The Only One, Anyway, What Was the Matter, Fatal, If I Hadn't loved You, Pain, Summer Vacation, Some Boys (Acoustic version), Anyway (Alternate Mix), Pain (Theme From an Imaginary Horror Movie)
SUMMER VACATION/ROCK'N AMERICA (A TRIBUTE TO JOEY RAMONE). (2004) CD Single:
MAKE ME BELIEVE - CD EP - 2002 Tracks include 'Young Boys', ' Make Me Believe', 'Somebody In The USA', 'It's Fun To Be In Love', 'If No One Fell In Love', 'Niagara Falls', ' Make Me Believe' (Acoustic mix), 'Somebody In The USA' (MTV mix), 'It's Fun To Be In Love' (Acoustic mix), 'If No One Fell In Love' (Acoustic mix), 'Niagara Falls' (Acoustic mix).
CATHOLIC GIRLS: (1999) The original Catholic Girls LP has been completely re-mastered from the original studio tapes and is presented here in the CD format for first time ever. Also included in this package are 8 new, never before released, songs. The CD includes the tracks Someone New, C'est Impossible, A Boy For Me, Where Did I Go Wrong, Park Theatre, You Let Me Down, Private School, Boys Can Cry, I Called You Up & God Made You For Me, He Was Bad, Vampire, Don't Give Up The Fight, What I Want, Don't Stop, Back In Russia, Don't Lose Me Now & Don't Go To War.
VINYL:
CATHOLIC GIRLS (1982) - The Catholic Girls (MCA 5350) was released in the early part of 1982. Critically acclaimed at the time by both press and the media and also featured on MTV with the single BOYS CAN CRY. The Catholic Girls became an underground cult hit and the album was also released in both Australia and Canada. The album includes the tracks Someone New, C'est Impossible, A Boy For Me, Where Did I Go Wrong, Park Theatre, You Let Me Down, Private School, Boys Can Cry, I Called You Up & God Made You For Me.
Singles:
Boys Can Cry b/w Park Theatre was the first single released on MCA Records(MCA52135). This single features the line-up of Gail Petersen, Roxy Andersen, Joanne Holland & Doreen Holmes.
Private School b/w God Made You For Me was the second, and last, single to be released on the MCA Label (MCA52212) in the U.S.. This 45 features the edited version of God Made You For Me.
A Boy For Me b/w C'est Impossible was released on the MCA label (MCS10915) in New Zealand & Australia.
Private School b/w Where Did I Go Wrong: The Double Cross Schoolgirls Before the Catholic Girls they were known as the Double Cross Schoolgirls. This independent release on Cinema Records (008037XA) features the original line-up of Gail Petersen, Roxy Andersen, Joanne Holland & Marilyn O'Connor. This is a true collector's item.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Story:
The Catholic Girls were born in the 1980s when schoolgirls Gail Petersen and Roxy Andersen put their guitars together to form the first all-female band from New Jersey that would be signed to a major label. With the addition of Doreen Holmes on drums, The Catholic Girls released an album on MCA both in the USA and Australia and also on a special Armed Forces edition by Radio Free Europe. They embarked on 2 national tours, received widespread commercial airplay, and debuted on MTV to the music of their new wave anthem Boys Can Cry. In 2000, Renaissance Records revived the original album by transferring the masters to CD format. It’s success in chains such as Borders and websites like Amazon.com led to rapid sales and an impressive ranking. Fans of the band from The 80s were thrilled to have the girls in plaid back, and many new fans were made along the way. In 2002, the band released Make Me Believe as their first indie CD, embarked on a busy tri-state tour (NY/NJ/PA), opened for acts like Dave Davies of the Kinks , Gene Loves Jezebel and performed at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood for The International Pop Overthrow Festival. In addition they were nominated for “Top Rock Band of the Year” by the Asbury Park Music Awards and their latest video for the title song Make Me Believe reached the charts in Billboard. In 2004, their CD single SUMMER VACATION/ROCK'N AMERICA (A Tribute To Joey Ramone) was released nationally. It sold at a brisk pace and gained momentum with college and internet airplay on such stations as WFMU, WNTI, Your Space Radio and also on satellite stations such as Little Steven's Underground Garage which is syndicated nationally and internationally. The single also received glowing reviews :
"Gail Petersen's voice can be easy or harsh, vacillating between a Belinda Carlisle and a Siouxsie (of Banshee fame). For me, however, there's a sense of authenticity, of lineage, as the band stays true to its original sound and the days of its formation. Other bands may be influenced by the '80s; the Catholic Girls are the real deal." (Bill Ribas-STREET BEAT)
"Summer Vacation" in particular is a small masterwork, the finest song that singer/songwriter Gail Petersen has yet recorded. It's reminiscent of the retro-girl group new wave pop of early-'80s southern California (Bangles, Bonnie Hayes, and of course the Go-Go's), but with a more modern indie pop sensibility that keeps it from sounding like a pastiche of a pastiche." (Stewart Mason-ALL MUSIC GUIDE). And on 1/06/06 The CGs made history in y Goldmine Magazine! Their first 45 single "Boys Can Cry" was selected by readers to be part of The Ultimate Rock'n Roll Jukebox.
Right Now:
The Catholic Girls are poised to expand their fan-base worldwide with their new, full-length CD release enititled MEET THE CATHOLIC GIRLS! It contains all new material showcasing the group's musical diversity, danceable rhythms, glistening harmonies and memorable hooks, along with a melodic, crystalline production sound. Songs include "Should Have Been Mine" (a video of which has also been released), "Some Boys" (an 'oughta-be' radio pop tune), "Desperate," "Fatal," the bluesy "What Was the Matter, " and more! As the band’s reach has expanded, so has the energy that continually drives The Catholic Girls to transform their listeners into full-fledged rock and roll believers! Maybe there was a time when The Catholic Girls set out to prove that they could play with the boys. This undisputed, today’s Catholic Girls prove again and again that they can break all the rules and rock the pants off just about anyone!
Websites:
http://www.myspace.com/thecatholicgirls
http://www.thecatholicgirls.net
Links
