Click Here for an interview with Jackie for Tartarean Desire online magazine
Classic Rock Magazine Christmas 2004 issue
GIrlschool - ‘Believe’
4 Stars out of 5
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.
GIRLSCHOOL
Reviewed in Metal Maidens #28/June 2002