Girlschool are a long-running British all-female
heavy metalHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in England and the United States...
band originating out of the
New Wave of British Heavy MetalThe New Wave of British Heavy Metal is a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Sometimes compared to Beatlemania, the era developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep...
scene.
Though enjoying little commercial success beyond the early 1980s, they maintain a worldwide cult following and were inspirational for many succeeding female bands.
Origins
In 1975, Enid Williams (bass, vocals) and Kim McAuliffe (rhythm guitar, vocals), and Tina Gayle (drums), from South London, formed an all girl rock covers band called Painted Lady. After playing the local pub scene and numerous line-up changes (Deirdre Cartright,
Kathy ValentineKathy Valentine is the American bass guitarist for the all-girl punk/pop band, The Go-Go's....
, later of
the Go-Go'sThe Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made rock history as the first all-woman band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
),
Kelly JohnsonKelly Johnson was an English guitarist.-Early years:Bernadette Jean "Kelly" Johnson attended Edmonton County School in Edmonton, which is in North London, and part of the London Borough of Enfield.- Musical career:...
and Denise Dufort came on board and in April 1978 they changed their name to Girlschool and hit the road touring venues around France, Ireland and the UK
Career
In December 1978, Girlschool released their first single, "Take It All Away", on the independent label
City RecordsCity Records is a Serbian record label.Founded in 1997, it is one of the most successful record labels in Southeastern Europe. The record label is part of the Pink Media Group, which also owns RTV Pink...
. This led to interest from
MotörheadMotörhead are a British rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member. The band was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which re-energized heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s. Usually a power trio, Motörhead had...
's management and a support slot on the
OverkillOverkill is the second album released by Motörhead, in 1979, and their first for Bronze Records. It peaked at number 24 on the UK charts.-Overview:...
tour in the spring of 1979. After signing to
Bronze RecordsBronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records near the end of that label's lifetime and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with...
later that year, the band released their first album,
Demolition, in the spring of 1980, alongside the singles "Emergency" and "Race with the Devil". Tours around Europe and as support to both
Uriah HeepUriah Heep are an English rock band, formed in December 1969 when record producer Gerry Bron invited keyboardist Ken Hensley to join Spice, a band signed to his own Bronze Records label....
and
Black SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English rock band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple lineup changes, with a total of twenty-two former members...
followed.
In 1981, the band teamed up with labelmates
MotörheadMotörhead are a British rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member. The band was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which re-energized heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s. Usually a power trio, Motörhead had...
again, billed as
HeadgirlHeadgirl was a collaboration between Motörhead and Girlschool in 1980, the result being the St. Valentine's Day Massacre EP.The collaboration between Motörhead and Girlschool started in March, 1979, when Motörhead began their first big tour with Overkill and Girlschool were their opening act...
, on the classic single "Please Don’t Touch" (St. Valentines Massacre), which went silver and reached no.5 in the UK. The album
Hit and RunHit and Run was the second studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool.It was originally released on Bronze Records in 1981, UK catalogue number BRON 534, having been recorded at Jackson's Studios, England, in December 1980 and January 1981...
was released in March, going gold in Canada, and a sellout tour of the UK followed. The band supported
RushRush is a Canadian rock band originally formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, amongst others, and a Friday night headline slot at the Reading Festival maintained the band's profile. (BBC Radio 1's The
Friday Rock ShowThe Friday Rock Show was a radio show in the United Kingdom that was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 from 2200 to 0000 on Friday nights from 1978 to 1993. Throughout most of its run it was hosted by Tommy Vance. Ostensibly for the genre of rock in general, it was most closely associated with heavy metal...
broadcast the Reading set.)
After playing Japan in 1982, Enid left and was replaced by Ghislaine "Gil" Weston from the bands
The KilljoysThe Killjoys were a punk rock/new wave band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1976, with members including Kevin Rowland and Al Archer, who would later form Dexys Midnight Runners, and Ghislaine 'Gil' Weston who would later join Girlschool...
and Alternating. Girlschool recorded their third album
Screaming Blue Murder, hitting the road in the U.S. to play stadiums alongside
Iron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in East London, formed in 1975. The band are directed by founder, bassist and songwriter Steve Harris...
,
Deep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford, Hertfordshire in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members have tried not to categorise themselves as any one genre. The band...
,
ScorpionsThe Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hanover, Germany, probably best known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and their singles "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel, "Still Loving You", and "Wind of Change"...
and
Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult is an American rock band formed in New York in 1967 and still active in 2009. The group is especially well known for songs including " The Reaper", "Astronomy", "Godzilla", and "Burnin' for You". They have sold over 14 million albums worldwide, including 7 million in the U.S.A...
.
In 1983, the band went back into the studio with producers
Noddy HolderNoddy Holder MBE is an English musician and actor best known as the vocalist, guitarist, and occasional bass guitarist with 1970s rock music group Slade....
and
Jim LeaJames Whild Lea is an English musician, most notable for playing bass guitar, keyboards, violin, guitar, and singing backing vocals in the English rock band, Slade.-Career:...
, of the band
SladeSlade are an English rock band. Slade were one of the most recognizable acts of the glam rock movement and were, at their peak, the most commercially popular band in the UK...
, for their fourth album
Play Dirty, charting in the U.S.
After Kelly Johnson left to live in L.A. she was replaced by
Cris Bonacci-Career:Starting in 1977 with Bonacci's first group in Melbourne, Australia -- Sweet Jayne, founded by Bonacci and bass player Sally Zylstra -- which developed a sizeable local following in Melbourne and recorded several early works, she has played in numerous bands, never staying with one unit for...
on lead guitar and singer Jackie Bodimead (ex Strategy and Canis Major) on lead vocals for the 1985 album
Running Wild, released on Mercury Records in the USA but not finding a release in Europe. To this day, Jackie Bodimead is only traditional lead vocalist in the band, although she did contribute keyboards in the live setting, when not on lead vocal duty. A live video from the
Camden PalaceKOKO is a nightclub in a former theatre in Camden Town, London, England, at the bottom of Camden High Street close to Mornington Crescent tube station. Until 2004 it was called the Camden Palace...
, London showcases this line-up.
In 1986, Girlschool signed to GWR records and reunited with original producer Vic Maile for
Nightmare at Maple Cross, minus Bodimead and now back as a four piece with Kim McAuliffe on vocals. The album included a cover of the song "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" recorded together with the original artist
Gary GlitterGary Glitter is the stage name of Paul Francis Gadd , an English glam rock singer and songwriter.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
.
The following year, after five years with the band, Gil Weston left to get married - becoming Gil Weston-Jones - and Tracey Lamb (Rock Goddess) took over on bass for their next album
Take a Bite.
Kim, Cris, Denise and Enid teamed up with punk singer Toyah Wilcox under the name
She Devils for the Women in Music festival in December 1990 and summer 1991 saw Lydie Gallais replacing Denise on drums under the new name Strange Girls for a three track demo, UK dates and festivals in Germany as support to
the Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are an American rock band. Formed in 1961, the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a Southern California youth culture of cars, surfing, and romance...
.
In 1992, the band released the album
Girlschool, with Jackie Carrera on bass. Carrera, however, did not wish to tour the US and Tracey Lamb returned to the band. On the departure of Bonacci in 1992 Kelly Johnson rejoined the ranks and the band toured extensively, releasing the CD
Girlschool Live in March 1995. As well as tracks from the back catalogue new tracks were featured.
Recent events
In 2000, original bassist/vocalist Enid and lead guitarist Jackie Chambers joined and in 2001 they released the
21st Anniversary – Not that Innocent album, recorded three years earlier with the previous line-up, now with the addition of two new tracks, "Coming your Way" and "Innocent". Since releasing their latest album
Believe, Girlschool have been playing headline gigs, festivals and with
Alice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
,
Twisted SisterTwisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from New York City. Their work fuses the shock tactics of Alice Cooper, the rebellious mood of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and the extravagant image of glam rock bands such as New York Dolls notably for the makeup...
and support to
MotörheadMotörhead are a British rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member. The band was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which re-energized heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s. Usually a power trio, Motörhead had...
on tour in the UK.
The band headlined the first day of the 2007 Rock Of Ages Fest, which took place at The Palace live music venue, in Tamworth, Staffs.
2008 saw the release of new material
Legacy and a DVD for the 30th anniversary of the so far longest running female rock band in the world.
For six years,
Kelly JohnsonKelly Johnson was an English guitarist.-Early years:Bernadette Jean "Kelly" Johnson attended Edmonton County School in Edmonton, which is in North London, and part of the London Borough of Enfield.- Musical career:...
battled spinal cancer before her death on July 15, 2007.
Trivia
- The band often dressed in black leather
Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals, primarily cattlehide. The tanning process converts the putrescible skin into a durable and versatile material....
jackets, which largely inspired The DonnasThe Donnas are an American all-female hard rock band from Palo Alto, California. They draw inspiration from The Ramones, AC/DC, and Kiss. Rolling Stone has stated that "the Donnas offer a guileless take on adolescent alienation; they traffic in kicks, not catharsis, fun rather than rage". MTV has...
.
Girlschool Lineups
The band's 'classic' lineup was the line-up that lasted 1978-1982. 'Classic' members are mentioned in bold. Unlike many heavy metal bands, Girschool never had a permanent lead vocalist, except for a brief 1985 period, with Jackie Bodimead as vocalist. Vocal duty was shared amongst Enid Williams, Kim McAuliffe, and to a lesser extent, Kelly Johnson.
1975–1978 (as
Painted Lady)
- Enid Williams - bass, vocals
- Deirdre Cartright - lead guitar (1977)
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Val Lloyd - drums (1977)
1978–1982
- Enid Williams - bass, vocals
- Kelly Johnson- lead guitar, vocals
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1982 - 1984
- Gil Weston - bass, vocals
- Kelly Johnson- lead guitar, vocals
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1984
- Gil Weston - bass, vocals
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1985
- Jackie Bodimead - lead vocals (1984-1985)
- Gil Weston - bass, vocals
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1986 - 1987
- Gil Weston - bass, vocals (1982-1987)
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1987–1988
- Tracey Lamb - bass, vocals
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1990 (as
She Devils)
- Toyah Willcox - lead vocals
- Enid Williams - bass, vocals
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1991 (as
Strange Girls)
- Enid Williams - bass, vocals
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Lydie Gallais - drums (1991)
- Toyah Wilcox - lead vocals
1992
- Jackie Carrera- bass (1992)
- Cris Bonacci - lead guitar (1984-1993)
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, lead vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
1993–1999
- Tracey Lamb - bass, vocals (1988-1989, 1993-2000)
- Kelly Johnson- lead guitar, vocals (1978-1984, 1993-2000)
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals
- Denise Dufort - drums
2000–present - current lineup
- Enid Williams - bass, vocals (1978-1982, 2000-present)
- Jackie Chambers - lead guitar (2000-present)
- Kim McAuliffe - rhythm guitar, vocals (1978-present)
- Denise Dufort - drums (1978-present)
Studio albums/EPs
- Demolition
Demolition was the first studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool.It was released in Europe on Bronze Records in 1980, with the catalogue number Bronze BRON 534...
(1980) BronzeBronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records near the end of that label's lifetime and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with...
UK #28
- Hit and Run
Hit and Run was the second studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool.It was originally released on Bronze Records in 1981, UK catalogue number BRON 534, having been recorded at Jackson's Studios, England, in December 1980 and January 1981...
(1981) Bronze UK #5
- Wildlife (EP) (1982)
- Screaming Blue Murder
Screaming Blue Murder was the third studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool. It was released on Bronze Records in 1982, and featured one line-up change in bassist Ghislaine 'Gil' Weston, formerly of The Killjoys, replacing the recently-departed founder-member Enid Williams...
(1982) Bronze UK #27
- Play Dirty
Play Dirty was the fourth studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool, released on Bronze Records in 1983 and produced by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea from the hard rock band Slade....
(1983) Bronze UK #66
- Running Wild
Running Wild was the fifth studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool, released on Mercury Records in 1985. It was released only in America and had a more commercial sound to suit...
(1985)
- Nightmare at Maple Cross
Nightmare at Maple Cross was the sixth studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool, released on GWR Records in 1986.-Track listing:#"All Day, All Night" – 3:32#"Play With Fire" – 2:43#"Danger Sign" – 3:19...
(1986)
- Take a Bite
Take a Bite was the seventh studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool, released on GWR Records in 1988.-Track listing:#"Action" – 3:04#"Fox on the Run" – 3:54#"Girls on Top" – 3:50#"Tear it Up" – 3:53...
(1988)
- Girlschool (1992)
- 21st Anniversary: Not That Innocent (2002)
- Believe (2004)
- Legacy (2008)
Live albums
- Girlschool Live (1996)
- King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert (1997)
- Race With The Devil Live (1998)
Compilations
- Cheers You Lot! (1989)
- The Collection (1991)
- From the Vaults (1994)
- Emergency (1997)
- The Very Best of Girlschool (2002)
- Wild at Heart (2006)
- The Singles (2007)
Other releases
- St. Valentine's Day Massacre (with Motörhead
Motörhead are a British rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member. The band was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which re-energized heavy metal in the late '70s and early '80s. Usually a power trio, Motörhead had...
) EP (1981) Bronze UK #5
- The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM (with Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver/Dawson Saxon is a British heavy metal band formed in 1995 by former members of Saxon, guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson.-Oliver/Dawson Saxon :...
and Tygers of Pan TangTygers of Pan Tang are a heavy metal band originating from Whitley Bay in the North-East of England, formed in 1978. They are a notable band of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement...
) (2003)
Hit singles
- Race With The Devil" (1980) UK #49
- Hit And Run (1981) UK #32
- C'Mon Let's Go (1981) UK #42
External links