ladyfest manchester: interview with vile vile creatures
November 13, 2008, 4:46 pm
Filed under: feature, interrupting yr broadcast | Tags: 2008, charlotte richardson andrews, interview, ladyfest manchester, music, vile vile creatures

iyb_vilevilecreatures
interrupting yr broadcast: vile vile creatures

Steadily making a name for themselves on the queer/DIY scene in Manchester and Leeds, Vile Vile Creatures are Jenny (guitar), Sian (bass) and Julia (drums). The trio make passionate, experimental noise with a post-punk edge, often deconstructing orthodox musical constraints. As well as enjoying the honour of opening for The Slits at this year's Ladyfest Manchester, the trio seem focused on enjoying their band experience and building a community of support and inspiration for existing bands, and people eager to start their own. They talked briefly to Wears The Trousers about the importance of female role models in music and the power of DIY tactics within the industry.

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What inspired you to form a band?

Jenny: We formed about two and half years ago, and Julia has been in the band for the last 6 months. I really wanted to be in a band because I felt there weren't many ordinary looking female role models in music. I really want girls to be inspired when they see us, to pick up a guitar and start their own bands.

So it's just as much about politics as music for you?

Jenny: It is for me, yes. I can't really play guitar all that well, but if I can do it…

Some of the best bands and musicians can't play their instruments properly. I remember reading an interview with Kim Deal where she said they couldn't really play their instruments until they got to their second album.

Jenny: Kim Deal is one of my heroes. I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing me go on about her, but she is amazing. And seeing her in The Pixies was what got me into music. She's really ordinary looking, and to succeed in such a big band was inspiring. She inspired me to pick up the bass.

Julia: I've been in bands on and off since I was 15, but I started drumming in my twenties, and I taught myself from scratch. I got into because I thought it would be fun. I do think I've gotten a lot of stick for being a girl who plays the drums. I often get guys being really patronising about the way I play; they come up after a show and say "Wow! You hit them really hard". I think that's why I prefer making music with other women. It seems like you don't have these set rules about how to write music. We like to play with structures and write music that isn't really music. We're always surprised when people say that 'Paper Cuts' is their favourite songs, because it doesn't seem like a real song.

Sian: The last few songs we've written have been like that; I think that's the kind of direction we're going in.

Where does the name come from?

Jenny: It's from a feminist text, 'Les Guerilleres' by Monique Wittig. It was a line about women being vile, vile creatures.

Sian: It said, "They sing with such utter fury that the music carries them forward."

Jenny: It's about passion really. And it's nice to get a feminist slant in with it. Even though everyone thinks it's about Morrissey and The Smiths.

What are your ultimate musical goals as a band?

Sian: I'd love to put out some vinyl.

Are you signed to a record label at the moment?

Jenny: No.

Do you want to be signed, or are you happy to continue releasing material through independent means?

Sian: I think I'd be quite happy to find someone who wanted to put our stuff out. The girl who released our last record spent her student loan setting up a record company Anchor Age Record Bin Records just so she could release our album.

Jenny: We'd be happy to keep working with people who have that kind of passion. I personally don't want to be signed because you lose your independence, which is really important.

Sian: I'd just like people to continue putting on DIY nights where you put on gigs, let people sleep on your floor and just support each other and the music.

Do you have any dream collaborations or tour partners?

Sian: We toured in London with Sad Shields. It was a really little tour but it was great, we met some really wonderful people.

Julia: Chaps from Exeter and Oxford, and Corey-O's from Bristol. They're people who we have a strong peer community with. They have really interesting ideas about music, society and politics.

Jenny: Also Drunk Grannies and Party Widow. They're great bands.

Sian: I'd like to round up all our favourite bands on a big bus and tour America.

Jenny: Touring with The Need would be great, if they reformed.

Julia: Helping bands tour would also be great. We're really into community building and supporting each other. Building a scene where people can grow is what it's all about.

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Charlotte Richardson Andrews

For more info on Vile Vile Creatures, visit their Myspace. Or for the full VVC experience, catch them on these dates:

17.11.08 The Cockpit, Leeds *
23.11.08 The Pack Horse, Leeds **

* with Fight Like Apes
** with Ill Ease and The Lovely Eggs

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xx