Click Here for an interview with Jackie for Tartarean Desire online magazine

It’s amazing to think that Girlschool started life as a band called Painted Lady way back in 1977, and extraordinary that these sister sledgehammers released their debut album, ‘Demolition’, nearly 25 years ago. And it’s remarkable to discover that Girlschool are apparently listed in The Guinness Book Of Records for being the world’s longest-surviving all-female rock band (although Girlschool guitarist Kim McAuliffe, for one, won’t believe it until she receives the gilt-edged framed certificate).
‘Believe’ is the kind of record you thought no one ever made any more. It’s Girlschool in prime-time, tousled‘n’rat-tailed, aggressive‘n’hook-laden, full-on shoutalong form, and it’s augmented by some ferocious, stiletto-in-the-groin attitudes.
No change there, then, you might say. But ‘Believe’ sounds like a breath of fresh air...albeit with more than a hint of smudged, misapplied lipstick lingering in the wing.
The members of Girlschool may all be in their 40s now, but they’re still trailblazers - even if they’ll never quite live down that burdensome ‘female Motorhead’ sobriquet.
Original bassist Enid Williams returned in 2000 (after an absence of 18 years, would you believe), and together with drummer Denise ‘frenzied foxbat’ Dufort the duo are truly one of femme rock’s grittiest, grimiest rhythm sections (even if they’re not exactly bosom buddies). Long-time Girlschool fans may bemoan the continued absence of guitarist Kelly Johnson, but Leeds-born hellcat Jackie Chambers (who also joined in 2000) is a first-rate replacement. Jackie is acutely aware of Girlschool’s howlin’ harridan heritage. She also has a major songwriting credit on each of this album’s 15 tracks.
‘Believe’ mixes straight-to-the-heart, raucous, rasping, typically chunky 70s-style British rock with a bunch of bold songs that push the Girlschool boundaries forward somewhat.
You’ve got to love a band that puts a song called ‘We All Love (To Rock‘N’Roll)’ on an album in 2004. On that track the four-piece don’t disappoint, creating a jaunty, punk-tinged shriek from the past with their archetypal call-and-response vocals and lyrics that go:‘Waking up the neighbors/Waking up the dogs/Walking down the streets/Singing Motorhead songs’.
‘Let’s Get Hard’, with its rampant, Aerosmith-esque rollin’ riff, plus the shrill simplicity of ‘C’mon’ and ‘Feel Good’ are further eye-watering examples of top-spanking ‘School seduction.
But delve a little deeper into the album and you’ll find some surprising maturity, often accompanied by a fiercely feminist undercurrent. ‘Come On Up’ neatly turns male voyeurism on its head; the passionate anti-war cry of ‘Crazy’ contains pinging ‘All The Young Dudes’-type guitar tones and, surprisingly, builds into something of a Euro-metal anthem; the nails-raking-down-the-back-female-empowerment schtick of ‘Yes Means Yes’ had me reaching for a etaphorical tube of Savlon.
It’s a much overused phrase these days, but there’s no doubt that Girlschool deserve to be called a national treasure. Even if their jewellery will always come from Argos.

Reviewed in Metal Maidens#37/Oct. 2004

 By: Toine van Poorten
 Rating: 8 points (out of 10)

GIRLSCHOOL

Believe

Communiqué Records

Have GIRLSCHOOL distanced themselves from the well-known MOTÖRHEAD like sound? When I hear some of the songs on their new album "Believe", my answer would be 'yes'. Is this a bad release then? No, of course not. GIRLSCHOOL may sound a little more mature, and sometimes a bit alternative perhaps. But of course there are some real cool rock songs on the album as well. "Come On Up" is a bit darker than the average GIRLSCHOOL stuff. "Crazy" could have been done by THE SPICE GIRLS. It's catchy, but nothing like the old GIRLSCHOOL. But with "We All Love To (Rock 'N' Roll)", they get back to the more recognisable sound of the band.

As you can see, there's a lot of variation on this CD. "New Beginning" is a real cool song, and on "C'Mon" I even hear some distorted vocals, next to the AC/DC like song structures. It might be innovating, but in my opinion GIRLSCHOOL doesn't really need all these new influences. Despite all these comments, I'd like to emphasise that I really do like their new album. Although it sounds very different than you would have expected at first. It's definitely an album that has to grow on you, and then it gets stronger and stronger every time you give it a spin.

It might have been much easier for the girls to play newer version of songs that sound like "Tonight" or "Demolition Boys", but that way their music would all sound the same, over and over again. Would you like that? Listen to a song like "Never Say Never", and turn up the sound a little bit more, every time you listen to it. It's catchy, it's rocking, and you must admit that it's just another cool rock song! No, these girls aren't dead yet and they still kick some serious ass in the hard rock and heavy metal scene. Even after more than twenty-five freaking years, there aren't many bands, who can say the same thing. GIRLSCHOOL stood tall, and they were always a (girls)school example of how a rock band should sound. "Feel Good" simply does what the title suggests and makes you 'feel good'. I hear some resemblance with the old GIRLSCHOOL classic "Race With The Devil", and I heard more people saying this. There are two bonus tracks on this CD, namely "Play Around" and "Passion". Which makes the total amount of songs rise to fifteen new rock and roll classics from the longest living all-female rock and roll divas in the whole f*cking world. Thank you Enid, thank you Denise, thank you Jax and thank you Kim for so much great rock pleasure! You can be proud of this new release, please keep on rocking and visit us soon in Holland. We "BELIEVE" in you, and we always will. 

THE SECOND WAVE
25 Years of NWOBHM
Communiqué Records

Reviewed in "Cutting Edge USA"

Finally after the dust has settled from the Saxon controversy (and lawsuit) original founders Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson are back at it with their rightful name emblazed across their monarch. A tour has recently been assembled in celebration with Tygers of Pan Tang and, believe it or not, Girlschool. Now admittedly it's been awhile since I¹ve listened to any of these bands, yet in high school they were among my faves. So it was with great anticipation that I put on this recent compilation boasting five all new recordings from each of these metal icons.

Smiles all around when the lazar struck "World Gone Crazy". O/D Saxon are as heavy as ever with a lethal paring of "munchy" guitars and hammering bass.
Fans of good ol' headbangin' could easily imagine the band rocking in unison as they storm the stage with "Nursery Crimes" ,"Reeder Aus Stahl" and a searing version of "Ghost" where the six-string axe takes complete control of the song. The Tygers prove just as energetic with revised versions of "Love Potion No. 9", "Hellhound" and the mind-blowing "Firepower" ­ all a
testament that these bands are playing better, harder and with true conviction.

Most surprising is the greatness that is Girlschool, a band which was almost completely obliterated from my vocabulary. Here, they come roaring back with a full-on guitar barrage and vocal prowess that almost surpasses the other two bands before mentioned. Their tight, clean, well-rehearsed harmonies showcase a female foursome in diva form after their own right. Knockout versions of "Passion", "Mad Mad Sister" and the monster "Believe" prove that though the years have been quickly clicking by, these girls have not only maintained their chops but come ready for the fight ­ in exceptional shape.
This disc is so much more that I hoped for and will remain in the disc changer for months to come.