Tom Tom Magazine: Q & A with Frightwig’s Cecilia Kuhn

Q & A with Frightwig’s Cecilia Kuhn

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By Jeanne Fury

Frightwig are the reigning mothers of feminist punk in America, whose wildly unrestrained performances heavily influenced everyone from Courtney Love to Kathleen Hanna. Formed by bassist/singer Deanna Mitchell (née Ashley) and guitarist/singer Mia d’Bruzzi (née Levin) in San Francisco in the early ’80s, Frightwig delivered two undisputed punk classics early in their career: 1984’s Cat Farm Faboo and 1986’s Faster, Frightwig, Kill! Kill!. Their music pounced on gender politics with gusto; songs like “My Crotch Does Not Say ‘Go’” and “A Man’s Gotta Do What A Man’s Gotta Do” were both deadly sinister and outrageously hilarious—two adjectives that, not coincidentally, describe Frightwig’s drummer/singer/instigator Cecilia Kuhn.

After a much too long break from stirring up shit, Mitchell, d’Bruzzi, Kuhn, and new addition Eric Drew Feldman (keyboardist/producer) recently reformed and delivered an EP, Hit Return, in December 2013, and are releasing a 45 this summer through Megaforce Records.

Here’s Kuhn on drumming, feminism, and the true definition of punk.

Stats

Full Name: Cecilia Benedicta Kuhn

Age: 58

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Lives in: Downieville, CA

Past Bands: various garage bands

Current Band: Frightwig

Day Job: court clerk

Kit Setup: borrowed Rogers kit, snare, kick, 2 toms, 1 floor tom; 2 crash and 1 ride cymbal, plus hi-hat.

Tom Tom Magazine: What was it about the drums that you gravitated toward, and how did you first start drumming?

Cecilia Kuhn: It was something I never admitted, but I liked the sexual energy of a good beat. All of my favorite songs when I was growing up had a strong rhythm. I’m thinking of songs like “Wild Thing” by the Troggs, “Magic Carpet Ride” by Steppenwolf, and “Amos Moses” by Jerry Reed. Those songs could just GET me. However, I came to drumming by sheer whim.

I was working at a crap job and feeling very disillusioned with my life. Thank Gods for discontent, because it can be a great motivator. I was sitting there, contemplating my boring life and flying into L.A. I looked out the window as we were landing, and I said, “Fuck this, I’m learning drums.” I started drum lessons soon after that. Playing drums just seemed like a good antidote to the stupid life I was leading. Little did I know what a major decision that was.

I feel like you’re one of those musicians that undergoes a transformation onstage. You tap into an otherworldly power source. Can you describe what that’s like?

Back in the old days, I was always angry. We have a song (“Punk Rock Jail Bait”/“I’ll Talk To You & Smile”) where I come out from behind the drums and sing out front. I basically melt down. Back in the day, when I blew up onstage, I was actually experiencing the anger. Frankly, I think I was trying too hard back then. Today, I am in a contented place, and I’m not angry like I used to be. When I blow up onstage now, I don’t have to try too hard. In fact, I’m not trying at all. I’m remembering what that energy feels like, and I draw it up and experience it.

As a drummer in a pioneering feminist band, how were you received by your (presumably mostly male) peers?

Back then, I definitely used to get guys “complimenting” me, saying that I played real well for a girl. Meaning, I didn’t play better than any of the guys. There seems to be an automatic comparison or competition going on, and some people feel like it’s real important that I understand my place in the hierarchy.

Going to music stores was very intimidating, as the sales clerks would ignore me or almost challenge me when I tried to buy equipment. It was a strange thing. I’m in there to spend money, but capitalism seemed to fade in importance. Making their point that I was just a girl became more important than making their sale. It made no sense. Apparently patriarchy overrules capitalism.

I remember one time, I went into a big chain (the name rhymes with Sitar Renter) and I needed to buy sticks for the gig that night. The sales clerk was talking to his friend, another drummer. They were doing some competitive dick-waving and talking about recordings they’d done. They talked like this for a LONG TIME while I stood there, waiting. I was completely ignored.

Finally, I said, “You know, whenever I want to FEEL LIKE SHIT, I know I can come here. I wanna buy some sticks ’cause I’M PLAYING TONIGHT.” They stared at me like dogs looking at a snake.

Were you ever discouraged, or was the punk scene supportive of you and your band?

Generally speaking, Frightwig was not always well-received by audiences, but other bands were supportive. When people loved us, oh man, they just loved us! When we toured with the Butthole Surfers, it was a dream come true. They and their audiences totally understood us. But when we opened for hardcore bands, it seems the kids just did not have a sense of humor. “PLAY FASTER!” That’s all we heard. I remember opening for TSOL in Santa Cruz. Everyone was standing around, sullen, with their arms crossed. In between songs, Deanna yelled, “Is everybody having FUN?!!??” Someone answered, “We will when you get off.”

Today, some people think that punk equals hardcore only, and their focus is narrow. There’s a lot of ghettoization of the music and not much cross-pollination like a long time ago. In the old days, punk was so many things. A night at the Mab [Mabuhay Gardens] would be a free-for-all. There was a lot of humor and fun. We had the philosophy of “IT’S PUNK BECAUSE WE SAY SO.” People could benefit from that philosophy today. My music is punk because I say so.

I saw you on a panel about female drummers at the Musicians for Equal Opportunities for Women conference, and you said, “I am not Omar Hakim. I am not the best drummer, but I’m the best drummer for Frightwig.” How did you cultivate that confidence and assuredness as a drummer?

It came out of experience. I don’t say it out of ego, I say it from knowledge of these complicated personalities in Frightwig. When I’m not there, it’s just different. When I wasn’t playing with Frightwig and they got other drummers, they missed me and felt the absence of my energy. Their recordings were great, really good, but there was a difference. When I play with Frightwig, it feels right, and I know there are certain things I contribute that no one else does. So yeah, I’m the best drummer for Frightwig. In addition, they’re the best for me. They know me. They have a certain humor and energy that I really like. I like playing with them, and I love to anticipate what they’ll do to make me laugh.

For me, the way to cultivate my confidence is through practice, studying theory, and writing music. I just hang in there. Don’t say no. Say yes.

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Stranger Recommended – Up & Coming Frightwig, It’s Ok!, Deep Creep

Screen Shot 2014-06-16 at 11.39.39 AMWhen Frightwig first entered my consciousness in the mid ’80s, they struck me as a female Butthole Surfers—which is a fine thing to be struck by. The San Francisco band’s 1984 debut album, Cat Farm Faboo, flared into rude action with a feral, blown-out blues-rock that flashed plenty of middle fingers to decorum and male chauvinism. Faster, Frightwig: Kill!! Kill!! built upon the band’s bravura rock insubordination, and the Russ Meyer allusion reinforced their badass attitude. Frightwig reformed in 2012 after an 18-year hiatus, and the current lineup features Deanna Mitchell, Mia d’Bruzzi, Cecilia Kuhn, Rebecca Sevrin, and… former Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band/Residents/Pere Ubu member Eric Drew Feldman. Very interesting. Go and let Frightwig get your panties into a righteous twist. DAVE SEGAL – Seattle Stranger

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AN OPEN LETTER FROM FRIGHTWIG ABOUT THEIR NEW VIDEO “WAR ON WOMEN”

Some bands make pretty videos with happy lights, nice smelling colors and oh-so-crucial ‘action’ shots.

Some bands only sing about the birds and the bees and the light, fluffy naughtiness of frivolous lives spent in blissful twee-mode.

Some bands only play safe, cheerful, happy-happy-boom-boom-cha-cha-cha!

But some bands still give a shit enough to sing about real issues in real lives in the real world.

Frightwig, the legendary and seminal punk rockers from San Francisco, the ladies who put the ‘grrrrrr’ in riot grrrl, scratch that, the ladies who goddam-well WERE all that shit and more before it was even a genre, have decided to make a tune about the elephant in the room. The elephant that is the current crack-down on women, women’s rights and women’s choice. It would’ve been easy to buzz out two and a half minutes of fuzzy punk rock with a whole slew of screaming, and it would’ve been easy to make the video some wicked sweaty bit of eye-candy.

But what about the story? What about this “War On Women”? When did it start? What’s going on? Who stood tall and proud and who continues to do? Well, when you watch the entire piece, made for less dough than a tray of Kanye’s wedding canapes, sit back and enjoy the educational ride. Soak up the news, feed off the lyrics and sink into the energy which crescendos into everything Frightwig stands for and all that Frightwig’s dynamic post-punk sound is about.

So yeah, if you tuned into “War On Women” expecting ladies wearing bacon dresses slaying dragons while hot Chippendale dancers trip the light fantastic in Narnia, then you my friend are S-O-L. But if you really really wanna now what the “War On Women” is, then hallelujah, you have found your place!

Spread the word and spread it fast. And make sure you come and HEAR that message LIVE when we come to your neighborhood on our West Coast tour. There’ll be message, madness, music, male strippers and unicorns, because in case you didn’t know, that’s the way us bad-asses fucking rock’n’roll!

No excuses. Look, listen, learn, laugh and love the ‘Wig this summer.
Thank you,
Frightwig

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IN THIS CRAZY WORLD, REJOICE! FRIGHTWIG ARE BACK! WEST COAST TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR JUNE! PLUS A RELEASE OF A NEW 45 RECORD!

Frightwig are currently booking shows in Eugene, Ore., Portland, Ore., Seattle, WA., and Vancouver, B.C., we are interested in working with you!

Please contact us at deannam146@gmail.com

FW-2014

With the world teetering towards further chaos, it is the perfect time for the original muse of riot grrl to return in all their loud, proud, pioneering-punk rock glory.

Frightwig! The band that influenced and opened international doors for everyone from L7 to Bikini Kill, are back!

Frightwig! The band who have played with the crème de la crème of alternative bands from the Butthole Surfers to The Jesus and Mary Chain to Redd Kross to Sonic Youth, are back!

Frightwig! The band who told you it was a “Crazy World” we live in, who made clear they knew that “A Man’s Gotta Do What A Man’s Gotta Do” and who roared at you that “My Crotch Does Not Say ‘Go’” are back!

Frightwig are releasing two new songs, a 45 record of “Hear What I Say” and “War on Women”. These powerhouse songs are needed for this day in time. Rise Up!

Frightwig released an EP titled ‘Hit Return’ in December 2013, which contains four previously recorded favorites plus one new tune, “Crawford’s Song”.

Frightwig’s line-up consists of Deanna Mitchell on bass & vocals, Mia d’Bruzzi on guitar & vocals, Cecilia Kuhn on drums, vocals. Plus the addition of keyboardist (and producer) Eric Drew Feldman, whose work with Captain Beefheart, PJ Harvey, The Pixies and Frank Black, makes him a boy worth letting in!

Also visit us at: frightwig.org and facebook.com/pages/Frightwig. Follow us on Twitter @frightwigdeanna and @cfrightwig

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Frightwig is proud to support and endorse We Are Woman!

WAW Title Website 2b

Check them out: www.wearewoman.us

We Are Women will be holding a huge and important rally Saturday September 13, 2014 in Washington D.C. in support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Event Details at  facebook.com/events/1380599535520791

Click here for additional information.


About We Are Woman:

Vision

Our vision is to be leaders in driving positive change to protect the rights of women and families, to contribute to reversing anti-woman legislation throughout the United States and ratify the ERA

Mission Statement
We Are Woman is a national advocacy group of individual community members and volunteer agencies coming together as a coalition to improve the rights of women and families by coordination of actions directed at specific anti-women groups, legislators, corporations and any other threat to the welfare of women and families,and to encourage and increase the number of activists supporting the equality of women.

Core Values
  • All citizens have the right to have equal access to healthcare
  • We are all created equal
  • We are successful through collaboration and coalitions working together
  • A genuine concern for individuals

What Makes Us Different?

  • We do not compete with other organizations
  • We facilitate success with joint programs and actions.
  • We have unifying capabilities, support and commitment from every member agency.
  • We have the respect of the community.
  • Other organizations rely on WAW to facilitate collaboration, action and convene stakeholders around the issues to work towards resolution.
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