Clearing Up The Residue: Q&A With The Coathangers

Photo Credit: Bobb Lovett

by Casey DeHoedt
08/10/2008

Dear readers, meet the Coathangers; an Atlanta based band comprised of four talented say-anything females. If you don’t know them already, these ladies blossomed back in 2006 and have since been rumored as “one of the city’s most talked about acts.”

Their full length album The Coathangers, released in 2007, is a barrage of pep rally rhythms, bangled guitar hooks and Ms. Pac-man-on-a-massacre keyboards. The pugnacious strain of Julia Kugel’s lead vocals is nuanced by a chorus of valley girls on a Joan Crawford collapse. It’s all so delightfully witty and gritty. It’s a swift kick to the nuts that will leave you lying on the floor asking “thank you ma’ams may I have another?” Because let’s face it, you will certainly want more.

Around the block The Coathangers are often uttered with the terms “riot grrrl” or “feminism.” While this is a logical conclusion – ya know... they’re “girls,” they sound abrasive and well... they sing about that stuff – a chat with the band diffused that singular notion. Turns out, their desire and successful achievement for fun expressed by malapert mannerisms and the ability to simply “do so” makes this band a shiny bronze star for rocking regardless of gender.

See The Coathangers for their Popfest premiere at Little Kings on August 13th. Who knows, you may even get a goodie bag.

AE: With songs such as “Wreckless Boy” and “Nestle in my Boobies,” The Coathangers seem to speak of gender issues – or how gender is regarded – do you align yourself with the riot grrrl movement and/or the feminist agenda?.

CH: Well, yes, but not intentionally. The riot grrrl movement made it possible for girl bands (or bands with girls) to be taken seriously. It made women's views and voices legitimate, and for that we are thankful. Did we form the band because of that? No. Feminism to us means that everybody (women/transgendered/queer/poor) should be able to live how they want to live, inside or outside cultural norms. Do we do and say whatever we want? Yes. Did we start the band because of that? No. We started the band to have fun and play instruments, the politics of our position in the music world followed.

AE: There always seems to be points of contention with women who are rock musicians. On one hand some female musicians don’t want their gender tied to their artistry and musicianship, on the other hand women who speak of “women’s experience” do not particularly view themselves as acting for the feminist movement. Considering these “points” as a spectrum, where do you view yourselves?

CH: That's hard. We are not afraid to speak of our feminist ideas, but have not specifically made music that addresses the feminist agenda. We don't want to be acknowledged just because we are an all girl band, but at the same time you wouldn't be interviewing us if we were not, so... We try not to even think about that part. It is what it is. But we do not want to sell our sexuality with our music. We try to be as genuine as possible and that's just not our style. I guess we're somewhere in the middle?

AE: The Coathangers. The name alone is enough tag you as irreverent; however the music seems to convey this as well... do you consider yourselves irreverent? Is this intended to carry a message?

CH: We guess so. Our lyrics are honest to experience and we are not afraid to say anything (including curse words)... I guess that is irreverent. These things exist, abortions exist, drugs exist, bad people exist... we just look at it with a sense of humor, otherwise we'd cry.

AE: In a similar line of questioning, there’s a use of camp and a strong sense of “fun” in your music. Is this to counter a seriousness of some institution (be it rock’s hegemony or feminist practice in rock)?

CH: Humor saves us. The absurdity of life. The absurdity of institutions of all kinds. Yes! Exactly!

AE: Your biography states “They're more likely to be caught cracking jokes with Andrew W.K. than sharing tea and vegan cookies with Kathleen Hannah's crew.” This is an interesting statement, one that could be viewed as possibly inflammatory in the riot grrrl circle. Can you unpack/explain the intention here?

CH: Well Chad Radford wrote that. We never viewed it as offensive. What he was trying to say, I think, is we aren't as serious or devoted to any kind of movement as Hannah may have been. We don't have an agenda of any kind except to have a good time and provide a fun escape for people who like our music (similar to W.K.) That's all...

AE: If you do have a certain agenda, how is it performed in a show?

CH: Our agenda is to get people to loosen the fuck up and have a bit of fun! It seems like people are afraid to let go and be childish. So we use birthday party tricks like balloons, confetti, props, goodie bags, etc to get them to let their guard down and laugh. Our agenda is to not take life too seriously.

AE: So I’m hearing a lot about fun. You’ve mentioned that “humor saves” from life’s absurdities and provides a “fun escape.” Do you view yourselves as bringing humor into music – the nature of music – or are you using music to spread humor? Similarly, in the view of “fun agenda,” what is the agenda? Are you aiming toward pleasure and innocence; a hedonistic vacation from being too serious; creating a space where people can come together and enjoy themselves through the commonality of music; or none of the above?

CH: We are using music to speak our peace, to have a voice for humor, anger, frustration, etc. Again, none of what we have done up to now has been calculated or planned. We just happen to be funny?! Our "FUN" agenda has no rules either. Hedonism is ok in moderation, if that makes any sense. It's all about what you, the audience member, takes away from the show. You may not have fun at all, and that's ok too. Take it for what it is, or what you think it is. We may be inspirational to some and a mockery to others. Who cares?!!!!!

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