Thanks to VH1, we’re reminded of the women in rock every holiday season, when they air VH1 presents: Top 100 Women In Rock History.
Madonna was in the top ten somehow, and Joan Jett ranked in around 47. These rankings are always a great topic for drunken debates. But eventually somebody is stabbed with a bottle-opener during an argument about the significance of Blondie’s Parallel Lines. Yeah, we’ve all been there.
Then there are the new women of rock: The Eyeliners and Otep Shamaya, plus Melissa Etheridge and The Donnas — who are a few of many women who can rock you like a sweetly-scented hurricane.
Since Dallas is home to many women who rock thoroughly. HB thought it would be a splendid idea for this special holiday issue to spotlight a few of Dallas’ hardest rocking women. We wanted to salute them and find out more about their hard work and adventures. For our first segment, we chose April Samuels of Bullitt, Tracy Ward of Mod Effect, and Angela “Rowdy” Adams and Kelly Mader of Nonetheless.
April Samuels
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Angela “Rowdy” Adams |
Kelly Mader |
Tracy Ward |
April Samuels
Seasoned drummer, April Samuels, is currently playing in a plethora of bands. She pounds more skin than the L.A.P.D. “I’m in Bullitt, Rocket Girl and 49th Vibration,” April explains. Plus, you might remember her from former bands such as Cherry Blossom Clinic, Aschere, Baby Jane Hudson and Frognot. On top of a busy schedule, she books shows for 100 Proof Entertainment and is endorsed by Silver Fox Percussions.
If you want to see April bring it to the stage properly, catch her playing with Bullitt at O’Riley’s on Dec. 7 or Firewater on January 12.
Tracy Ward
Tracy Ward, the dominating vocal force behind Dallas’ Mod Effect, will open a can of whoop ass on your ears. This is her fourth year with the band, but she’s been singing for most of her life. Did you know she started out singing country music?
“I started out doing country,” she admits, “But my heart was always in rock. I just didn’t have the confidence,” Tracy has encountered her share of problems over the years. “It is hard to get taken seriously [in the music business],” she relates. “I get treated differently, though sometimes I get more respect!”
Well, if you want to show Tracy some respect, catch Mod Effect live at the Curtain Club in January.
Nonetheless’ Kelly Mader and Angela “Rowdy” Adams
Nonetheless’ line-up packs a double feminine punch with Kelly Mader on guitar and Angela “Rowdy” Adams on drums. And with a girl called “Rowdy,” you had better not bring an attitude to the show!
“You know, when I first started doing this, a lot of people were saying, ‘Are you the girlfriend of someone in the band?’ Rowdy states. “But the last three years, with the band, people have been really responsive to me as a drummer. People don’t know what to expect with our line-up when we get on stage. We got two females, a black [dude] bass player and two white guys. When we launch into our opening song, you can literally see the look on people’s faces. That is my favorite part of the show!”
Kelly, similarly to Rowdy, expresses the contention that, “Music is a little over dominated [with men], and people don’t expect there to be many women. Honestly though, I think if there was something between my legs, it wouldn’t be any big deal at all!”
If you want to rock out with Nonetheless, celebrate New Years’ Eve with them at Tomcats.
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