Greece is on the verge of bankruptcy but before they went belly up they sent us Barb Wire Dolls, a punk rock band from L.A. deeply influenced by New York and London in the 1970s and L.A. in the 1980s.
A five song EP from 2010, Fuck The Pussies, is a statement of intent, a return to fast, loud rules. Lead singer Isla Queen looks like a Debbie Harryish wower but her voice is edgy and not pretty: it has a hard bottom and she uses it to devastating ends.
The rest of the band is standard issue punk but no less inspired for that. They don't bother with thrash or hardcore, this is the world of inspiration and three chord wonders and anthems like "Street Generation" which are so cool and righteous.
Barb Wire Dolls placed this add in the music classified: "we have been doing everything 100% DIY since 2008. We moved to the USA from Greece just to play music. We're here in LA and taking no prisoners with our 3rd release "FUCK THE PUSSIES"! WE HAVE 4 INDIE LABEL OFFERS AND AN ATTORNEY NOW. WE ARE MEETING WITH ALL TYPES NOW TO TAKE IT FURTHER SO WE CAN TOUR AND FOCUS ON MUSIC 100%. LOOKING FOR ONE AGENT, ONE MANAGER, ONE LABEL THAT HAS MASSIVE BALLS & VISION TO DO THE JOB RIGHT!"
Of course, the Dolls problem is they went to Los Angeles and not the epicenter, Manhattan! Even so, their intense belief in themselves and their music is infectious and the loud crunch of punk is always welcome. Charlotte Cooper of the UK's Subway wrote: "Barb Wire Dolls are going to take over the world. The world needs their music and attitude. Everything is so lame and boring and these punks are a breath of fresh air. Take it from me, I've been around and experienced and lived all the scenes from the past 30 years from London to Seattle. I feel the change and it's called Barb Wire Dolls! They are the next fucking Nirvana!"
Nobody would much want to live up to that, but on the strength of the music I've heard (Fuck The Pussies the album is about to be released) they have an undeniable chemistry and a buncha ace songs.
I haven't seen them live but here they are performing "Street Generation" at a sold out Roxy! Hey maybe they are the next big thing…