Broadzilla
Encyclopedia
Broadzilla are a heavy rock band from Detroit, Michigan. They have released two CDs, two EPs, and have won six Detroit Music Awards
. The band consists of Rachel May, Kim Essiambre, and Angie Manly.
For the next few years, Broadzilla would experience several personnel changes. Hammerle and Moffitt were gone by 1997, with the drummer's chair being filled by Angie Manly, a former bandmate of May's. From 1997 to 1999, Broadzilla's lineup fluctuated around May, Chapman, and Manly, with the band sometimes operating as a trio and sometimes as a quartet with a series of temporary second guitarists.
By 1999, shortly before the release of the band's first full-length album, the second guitarist spot was occupied by Melody Baetens
(under the stage name Melody Licious). The band released the CD Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean
in October 1999. The album featured a revamped version of "Bondage Boy" and a cover of "No More Fun" by the band Feisty Cadavers. Melody Licious was pictured on the album and credited with guitar and backing vocals, but in reality she only contributed backing vocals to the track "Cum Guzzlin Whore." Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean
is out of print and has been sold out since 2001, becoming a collector's item.
In early 2000, Chapman left the band for a move to Florida with her new husband, and was replaced by Kim Essiambre. In March 2000, Baetens departed and was not replaced. (Baetens later joined the Detroit glam band the Sirens, and also turned up in the Detroit garage punk band Gore Gore Girls
, as did another former Broadzilla guitarist, Marlene Hammerle.) After several years of unstable personnel, Broadzilla finally stabilized as a trio consisting of May, Essiambre, and Manly, and this lineup has remained intact to the present day.
In April 2001, Broadzilla won their first of six Detroit Music Awards
for best hard rock/heavy metal artist. Their second album Lady Luck
was released in October 2001. To date, the album has sold more than 8.000 copies. Included on the album were the lead track "Ecstasy" for which a full music video was produced, a cover of the 1968 song "Love Child
" by Diana Ross and the Supremes, and two remixes of the original track "Liquor Snatch" by Detroit techno DJ Sean Deason
.
In 2001-2002 May also played guitar for the Detroit punk band Queen Bee (band)|Queen Bee. Broadzilla released a limited edition two-track promotional EP in January 2002, containing the new song "Drug Man" and a cover of the AC/DC
song "Big Balls." Also in early 2002, May and Essiambre formed a side project known as the Burnouts for two benefit gigs, with fellow Detroit musicians Erin Elvis on guitar and Mick Stone on drums. Stone also drummed briefly for Broadzilla in summer 2003 in place of the hospitalized Manly.
Following the release of Lady Luck
, Broadzilla's increasing exposure allowed them to tour throughout the eastern United States. The band also unveiled many new songs starting in 2002, including a second version of "Seven Ways" and a third version of "Bondage Boy." In August 2003, Broadzilla toured England for the first time. Two more British tours followed in fall 2003 and summer 2004 (the two summer tours included high-profile appearances at the annual Bulldog Bash
music festival), while Broadzilla toured the western United States for the first time in spring 2005.
Broadzilla continued winning regularly at the Detroit Music Awards
, picking up additional trophies for best hard rock/heavy metal artist in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (they were not eligible in 2004). Broadzilla still plays regularly in the Detroit area and embarks on occasional tours of the eastern United States.
Detroit Music Awards
The Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
. The band consists of Rachel May, Kim Essiambre, and Angie Manly.
Biography
Broadzilla was formed as an all-female metal/punk band in 1996, by Detroit singer/guitarist Rachel May. The original lineup also consisted of bassist Michelle Chapman (then known as Michelle Fields), guitarist Marlene Hammerle, and drummer Jen Moffitt. This lineup released a four-song EP on cassette only in 1996. Two of the four songs, "Bondage Boy" and "Seven Ways," would be revamped by future Broadzilla lineups.For the next few years, Broadzilla would experience several personnel changes. Hammerle and Moffitt were gone by 1997, with the drummer's chair being filled by Angie Manly, a former bandmate of May's. From 1997 to 1999, Broadzilla's lineup fluctuated around May, Chapman, and Manly, with the band sometimes operating as a trio and sometimes as a quartet with a series of temporary second guitarists.
By 1999, shortly before the release of the band's first full-length album, the second guitarist spot was occupied by Melody Baetens
Melody Licious
Melody Licious is the stage name of Detroit born Melody Baetens , a staff writer for The Detroit News since 1999.She has recorded and toured with Broadzilla and Gore Gore Girls . She has also been with Detroit glam band the Sirens since 2001, and has appeared on all of the band's releases, plus a...
(under the stage name Melody Licious). The band released the CD Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean
Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean (album)
Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean is the second release and first full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 1999...
in October 1999. The album featured a revamped version of "Bondage Boy" and a cover of "No More Fun" by the band Feisty Cadavers. Melody Licious was pictured on the album and credited with guitar and backing vocals, but in reality she only contributed backing vocals to the track "Cum Guzzlin Whore." Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean
Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean (album)
Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean is the second release and first full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 1999...
is out of print and has been sold out since 2001, becoming a collector's item.
In early 2000, Chapman left the band for a move to Florida with her new husband, and was replaced by Kim Essiambre. In March 2000, Baetens departed and was not replaced. (Baetens later joined the Detroit glam band the Sirens, and also turned up in the Detroit garage punk band Gore Gore Girls
Gore Gore Girls
Gore Gore Girls are an all female garage rock band from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1997 by singer/songwriter Amy Gore. The band's name comes from The Gore Gore Girls, a 1972 B-movie by Herschell Gordon Lewis, which is a parody of the term Go Go Girls....
, as did another former Broadzilla guitarist, Marlene Hammerle.) After several years of unstable personnel, Broadzilla finally stabilized as a trio consisting of May, Essiambre, and Manly, and this lineup has remained intact to the present day.
In April 2001, Broadzilla won their first of six Detroit Music Awards
Detroit Music Awards
The Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
for best hard rock/heavy metal artist. Their second album Lady Luck
Lady Luck (album)
Lady Luck is the second full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 2001. The album has sold more than 8,000 copies and was instrumental in Broadzilla's winning of several Detroit Music Awards.-Track listing:...
was released in October 2001. To date, the album has sold more than 8.000 copies. Included on the album were the lead track "Ecstasy" for which a full music video was produced, a cover of the 1968 song "Love Child
Love Child (song)
"Love Child" is a 1968 song released by the Motown label for Diana Ross & the Supremes, becoming the Supremes' 11th number-one single in the United States....
" by Diana Ross and the Supremes, and two remixes of the original track "Liquor Snatch" by Detroit techno DJ Sean Deason
Sean Deason
Sean Deason is an American techno producer from Detroit. His aliases include Project X, Sounds Intangible Nature, Freq, and X-313....
.
In 2001-2002 May also played guitar for the Detroit punk band Queen Bee (band)|Queen Bee. Broadzilla released a limited edition two-track promotional EP in January 2002, containing the new song "Drug Man" and a cover of the AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
song "Big Balls." Also in early 2002, May and Essiambre formed a side project known as the Burnouts for two benefit gigs, with fellow Detroit musicians Erin Elvis on guitar and Mick Stone on drums. Stone also drummed briefly for Broadzilla in summer 2003 in place of the hospitalized Manly.
Following the release of Lady Luck
Lady Luck (album)
Lady Luck is the second full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 2001. The album has sold more than 8,000 copies and was instrumental in Broadzilla's winning of several Detroit Music Awards.-Track listing:...
, Broadzilla's increasing exposure allowed them to tour throughout the eastern United States. The band also unveiled many new songs starting in 2002, including a second version of "Seven Ways" and a third version of "Bondage Boy." In August 2003, Broadzilla toured England for the first time. Two more British tours followed in fall 2003 and summer 2004 (the two summer tours included high-profile appearances at the annual Bulldog Bash
Bulldog Bash
The Bulldog Bash is considered to be one of Europe's most popular, annual, motorcycle festivals with a reported attendance of 50,000 people in 2007...
music festival), while Broadzilla toured the western United States for the first time in spring 2005.
Broadzilla continued winning regularly at the Detroit Music Awards
Detroit Music Awards
The Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
, picking up additional trophies for best hard rock/heavy metal artist in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (they were not eligible in 2004). Broadzilla still plays regularly in the Detroit area and embarks on occasional tours of the eastern United States.
Discography
- Broadzilla (EP, 1996)
- Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-LeanBroadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean (album)Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean is the second release and first full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 1999...
(1999) - Lady LuckLady Luck (album)Lady Luck is the second full-length album by the heavy rock band Broadzilla. It was released in October 2001. The album has sold more than 8,000 copies and was instrumental in Broadzilla's winning of several Detroit Music Awards.-Track listing:...
(2001) - Broadzilla - B4 Records Song of the Month (EP, 2002)
See also
- All-Female BandsAll-women bandAn all-female band is a musical group composed of female musicians exclusively. A distinction is made here with a girl group, in which the members are solely vocalists, though this terminology is not universally followed.-1920s-1940s:In the Jazz Age and during the 1930s, "all-girl" bands such as...
- List of All-Women Bands