Dying to Belong
by Grant Moser
October 1997
DCMusicwwweb
Dead Girls and Other Stories are dying to belong. Well, at least that's what they called their debut CD. From the way their show went on September 4 at Chief Ike's in Adams Morgan, they have arrived.
Melissa and Nancy are the core of the group and have gathered a few other musicians around themselves to add some flavor to the music. Originally a three girl band who barely knew each other and got together to fill up some booked time at Planet X, they continued working together, and within 6 months had released a CD. (At the first gig they all had songs about dead girls, hence the name of the band). One of the girls departed right before the CD release party and Genny, a noted local female guitarist, quickly filled in. The recent addition of the lively drummer Jeff cemented a reliable line-up.
However, Melissa and Nancy are the attraction at the shows. The show I saw opened with "Too Much Weight" and immediately brought the clubgoer's focus around to the Dead Girls. Melissa's bass is prevalent during most songs and is fabulous. Likewise, Nancy will switch from keyboard playing to guitar and back again and keep the energy the whole time.
The vibe that spread through the room during the show was easy-going and fun. Their stage presence is riveting, and Melissa has a habit of introducing songs with little ditties reminiscent of Ani DiFranco. For example, when starting "Walk the Earth" (a moving, building song) she talked about a naked man she saw on the streets of Berlin that had inspired the song.
Melissa and Nancy share lead vocal duties and harmonize together at some point in most songs. Genny's guitar work is incredible, and at one time during the show, she was jokingly referred to as "Genny Hendrix". No joke. Jeff is crazy and enthusiastic, adding a little funky beat to the ensemble.
The music they play is rock, but ranges from a tweaked Indigo Girls to a Luscious Jackson sound. The lyrics are fast and sometimes hip, but also deep at times. "Liquid Joy" is peppy and fast rock, "Fly" starts off slow with a Cowboy Junkies feel that grows into a slow cresting climax that leaves you wanting more as she sings "I demand more of you", and the ending haunting refrain swings through your mind, "What you gonna do, what you gonna do." "Smoke is Rising" was a true bluesy song that they carried off very well too.
The differing writing styles of Melissa and Nancy are evident, but the Dead Girls handle each tune with style and energy. Now that Melissa and Nancy have been playing together more and more they are collaborating more on the writing of songs, and I look forward to hearing the meeting of their minds.
The girls enjoy playing live as a band since it gives them a chance to improvise and continue to grow comfortable together. A whatever-goes feeling dictates the flow of a live show, and lets the band have fun. The new heights they can try to reach live are only possible because of their foundation, or as Nancy said, "You have to feel comfortable with the ordinary to be extraordinary." Indeed, the Dead Girls are close to that, and I think they have found a place to belong