Woman-Powered Riot Grill Draws Eclectic Lineup
By DONNA BALANCIA
Emerging from the shadows and into the dim light of emancipated woman power is an ever-present theme for female rockers. Riot Grill at The Regent Theater proved this to be true as Le Butcherettes, Nadia G., Deap Vally and crew comandeered the stage.
While not exactly burning the bra like they did in the 1960s (never understood that), action is still needed for women to get equal billing, equal pay, and equality in music.
Nadia G. and Spaceland sponsored Riot Grill, an event that is part cooking and eating but mostly music and featuring a great lineup of great rockers, regardless of gender. Headliners Le Butcherettes filled the house, but some strong up-and-comers drew the faithful.
Chastity Belt, Girlpool, Deap Vally
The evening led off with Chastity Belt, a cool band that brought shoegaze into the spotlight. Nadia G. and her band, The Menstruators, took the stage and played tunes from their new album Dead Glitter. Girlpool, an alt-folk duo that looks like girls you may have known in your high school science class impressed with fun tunes and understated strength. Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad are well-matched vocally and the performance is mellow but with a cutting edge.
We were particularly impressed by Deap Vally, a duo and sometimes quasi-trio from Southern California, these girls have got it. What’s “it?” Deap Vally is pure badassery. Their new album is called Femejism and we were lucky enough to hear some cuts from this cool new release. The drums are relentless courtesy of Julie Edwards. Guitarist Lindsey Troy sports a nifty look in a red, white and blue, all-American star-spangled garb complete with fringy fringe. With the release of the new album, fringe may very well be a part of this good-natured duo’s past.
Shine a Light on Riot Grill
We were not fond of the fact that the lights were turned to red for all the acts that followed Nadia G.’s band, which came on early. While decent photos were made when the lights were on, the remaining artists were shrouded in red light, which is worse than no light at all.
Check out Le Butcherettes at the Echoplex and Le Butcherettes at The Hollywood Palladium in CaliforniaRocker.com
But regardless of what we perceive as an intentional snafu, the women prevailed and in particular the headliner, Le Butcherettes packed the house.
We asked the audience members who they were there to see and while many of the attendees wanted to see Nadia (whose band is called The Menstruators) most paid up to see Le Butcherettes and Teri Gender Bender.
Le Butcherettes and Teri Gender Bender
Teri consistently rocks the house. And we hold firm to our opinion that she may well be the most compelling performer on the stage today. It’s something one has to see to believe. Teri goes from obstinate, high-heel-stomping girl to snarling, possessed virago in an instant, leaving a room full of stunned bodies in her wake.
Le Butcherettes lineup is comprised of bassist Ricardo and drummer Alejandra. They’ll be returning to Los Angeles in January with some dates and couple of new tricks up their collective sleeves.
Le Butcherettes Set List
Burn the Scab
Demon Stuck in Your Eye
The Devil Lived
They Fuck You Over
Boulders Love Over Layers of Rock
I’m Getting Sick Of You
Witchless C Spot
Stab My Back
Dress Off
The Leibniz Language
Bang!
Malcom
Your Weakness Gives me Life
Spider Waves
La Uva
Henry Don’t Got Love
