Local musicians: Amazombies' singer discusses potential fame, Seattle punk rock
It's a good thing drummer Josh Kramer, the only guy in the punk-rock group Amazombies, doesn't mind that the band's name refers to legendary female warriors.
Though the current and longest-running lineup features Kim Kelly on guitar/lead vocals; Noriko Kaji on bass/backup vocals; and Kramer on drums/vocals, the group's original makeup featured three females, with a slot open for a lead female vocalist.
But through numerous bandmate replacements since 2000, the Amazombies have released three CDs — their first was a three-track demo, the second featured just five songs — and held on to their street-punk, circa 1977 style.
The third is their album, "Bitches & Stitches," which was re-released in April by GoKart Records. It was originally released in May 2002.
"It's melodic," said lead vocalist Kelly. "It's not like the typical girl-screaming vocal thing. We're definitely a punk band, but it's not straight-up punk."
They play at local venues, including Graceland and the Crocodile Cafe. They're headed for their first East Coast tour in August, and can be heard Saturday at the Brick: House in Ballard.
Kelly fields more questions:
Q: What was the performance that signaled your big, local break?
A: We played at this place called the Catwalk (Club). We had an opportunity to play a punk show there. They told us we could play a punk show as long as we could get at least 70 people.
We played with Graveyard Shift, the Hollow Point and the Authorities. We ended up getting at least 200 people. For us, being a local band, that was good. Because of that, we were able to book shows there the last Friday of every month.
Q: Is it difficult to get regular gigs at places like the Catwalk?
A: They have a really good setup — an open bar as well as all-ages. We do have a lot of friends who do like to come in and drink, but we also have a lot of kids in Seattle who want to come see us. The all-age scene in Seattle is hard to break into.
Q: How would you rate the Seattle punk-rock scene on a scale of one to 10?
A: I'd give it a nine, I guess. We've had lots of friends and lots of opportunities as far as booking shows with our friends locally. The only areas for improvement would be, it would be nice if other (local) bands could open up for other bands coming through. It would be nice to have more support for the local music scene.
Q: What can people expect at your shows?
A: Just a half-hour of straight-up rock 'n' roll, punk-rock fun. We play in short sets, but they're packed full of energy. And we love playing, so I think that shows through.
Q: Where do you rehearse?
A: We rehearse in Josh's basement.
Q: How do you think the band's grown in the last three years?
A: We've kind of matured more in our songwriting.
Q: Who writes the songs?
A: We all actually do. We're actually pretty good about meshing with one another.
Q: How serious is everyone taking this? Are you hoping for national fame?
A: Absolutely. We're hoping to quit our jobs one day.
Q: What is your day job?
A: I work at a software company doing administrative stuff. Noriko works there, too. Josh is a cook at the Crocodile Cafe.
Q: Do your co-workers know that you and Noriko are in a band?
A: Yeah, they do. A few of them have come out to see us. We're in kind of a conservative environment. When our tattoos show and our hair's all kinds of crazy colors, they look at us kind of weird sometimes or shake their heads.
But we still gotta pay the bills. But Josh can get away with it 'cause he works in the back, in the kitchen.
Q: Where can people find your CDs?
A: All the independent music stores in Seattle should carry it. It's pretty funny, but I think Sam Goody and Borders, (too).
Q: What's it like to see your album at Borders?
A: I have yet to see it, but our friends have seen it there and will call us up. It's pretty crazy.
Young Chang, ychang@seattletimes.com or 206-748-5815