The Hail Mary's CD Release Party
On May 10th at Slim's, San Francisco's rock sisterhood got a blast of old time religion from local band, The Hail Marys. But only if your religion means John, Paul, George & Ringo is Heavens heirarchy and your Redeemer is named Joey. Amen.
This night was a CD release-party for the self-titled The Hail Marys. On a triple bill, sandwiched between Venus Bleeding (with Betty Page look-alike lead singer, Angelique) and the not-ready-for-MTV, Betty Blowtorch, our ladies took the stage around nine and packed more decibels in the next fifty minutes than was allowed by law. Loud and proud, the band's name is a bit misleading, it's an all-female band alright, but they don't send out the message of irreverence. They are all business.
Just coming off a West Coast tour, founder Jackie Strano on vocals, songwriting and sometimes guitar literally kicked off the set with help of dancer Simone blasting high kicks and some showy fire-eating to the opening song, Sissybar (from previous release, California King). The balance of the band are veteran players; Veronica Savage on bass, Debbie (The Shredder)Torrey on guitar and Cat Barber on drums.
Their set included six of the seven cuts on the new EP save the quieter and acoustic Where Do We Go From Here. Including breakout, Hopeless Faith, heard first in the '97 film "Bound." Multi-tasker Strano's other film work includes "How to Fuck In High Heels," included in last years SF Gay & Lesbian Film Fest.
Busy girl. Heloping out with the writng, the Strano/Torrey songbook is filled with imagery and lyrics that are soulful and swirling, calling out angels, power, oblivion, dreams, moments, power, hearts, eyes, faith and more power. OK, I get it.
"First of all, we are all friends," explains Veronica after the show. These women have a lot of respect for their music, each other and their audience. Even though Cat Barber did get a little fed up with her drum kit as it seemed to fall apart at the end of set. Well, hell, she beat the thing half to death!
Very much at home at this great club, "you know musicians run this place," Jackie notes on the good treatment, sound and food. The Hail Marys were very well received on the road despite one or two mismatched bills but they are very, very happy to be home.
The Hail Marys CD is released through:
Panic Stricken Records 3822 21st Street #94 San Francisco, CA 94110
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