Tantrum-Alive And Kickin'

Описание: Bio by She Rox, All Female Bands: The 1980’s may have begun a new era of hard rock, but it was still very much a boy's club. However, a small legion of female musicians quickly began to make headway into the male dominated music industry that seemed to look upon females playing hard rock as a novelty to be disregarded, or not taken seriously. While the male bands of the era may have found fame regardless of whether or not they possessed true skill, the women knew they had to work twice as hard to prove themselves. Most female hard rock bands were far from a novelty act. With the Riot Grrrl movement, all-female or female-led bands surfaced all over the United States. Yet making it big, or as big as their male counterparts, eluded many of these bands as most record companies had little to no faith in a unit solely of women who could not only exist without men, most could also outplay them. Sacramento, California-based Tantrum was certainly one of these bands. Formed in 1989 by vocalist Kate French, along with guitar virtuoso's June Biancalana and Lisa Mathena, hard-hitting drummer Nina Martin and bassist Marissa Thacker, Tantrum begin their reign that would last close to a decade. The band quickly became local mainstays that many predicted would reach far beyond their local scene. Setting Tantrum apart was the band’s dueling lead guitar shredders, June and Lisa, who also served as the band’s predominant songwriters. The band released their first album in 1989, titled Webs ‘n Chains which gained the band immediate air play on various Sacramento radio stations, hailed by many for its slicked over hard rock groove. The highlight of the album was the band’s signature guitar work. Bassist Marissa Thacker left the band soon after and was replaced by Colette Bias. Vocalist Kate French would also depart and was replaced by LeeAnne Lemoine. Kate would later re-surface for two albums with acclaimed guitar god-in-waiting, David T Chastain, and later in the female-fronted metal band Vainglory. With the new line-up intact, Tantrum would continue on earning their rock and roll badges with every show and became quite well known in Sacramento’s thriving music scene. Playing with up and coming bands such as all-female rockers Precious Metal, and a doing a gig with guitar legend Lita Ford. The band would release the EP, Burns The Midnight Sky in 1992. The EP itself proved to the listener the band had honed in on their sound. LeeAnne’s gritty vocals were perfection with guitarist’s June and Lisa’s shredding and now gave the band a rawer almost Gun’s and Roses-esque vibe. By 1993 long time drummer Nina Martin would leave the band and was replaced by former Blackjack Bandit drummer, Tami Talle. Burns The Midnight Sky soon caught the attention of a mainstream manger looking to take the band farther commercially and saw a two song demo produced; however, when the deal fell through, the band found themselves struggling to re-gain additional traction. They called it quits in 1997. Guitarist Lisa Mathena would go on to study with Testament’s lead guitarist Alex Skolnick and Joe Satriani alumni, Doug Doppler. She teaches guitar and is currently developing a music business, along with writing and recording music for films and television. Two of the band’s tracks from the 1992 EP would re-surface years after its release in various videos games and television shows, most notably the reality show starring Kiss bassist, Gene Simmons, called Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels. Guitarist June Biancalana would continue on as well, providing her guitar skills to the Irish band, The Dunmore Lasses, as well as soundtracks for short films and a web series before forming her new band, Sugarcane Firewater - a punk rock infused blend of hard rock aimed at music for television and movies. Interest in Tantrum, and other bands like them that should have been commercially successful, is growing strong in the current day thanks to social media and proving that these women are far more than a footnote in music history. They truly helped pave the way for female other musicians.
Alive And Kickin' from the 1992, Ep Burns The Midnight Sky.
June Biancalana-Guitar, Lisa Mathena-Guitar, Nina Martin-Drums, Leeanne Lemoine-Vocals, Colette Bias-Bass.

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****Huge thanks to June, Lisa, and Nina for the amazing band pics!