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"I
was always into rock, even when I
was very little.
I really liked the beat and the speed, the toughness."
-- LIZ PHAIR
Previous Articles:
Where
Were All The Students?! (April)
The sky's the limit and women hold it up.
THE FIRE ANTS HEAT UP THE STORK CLUB, Aug 18, 2001
By Lisa Hayle
It is rare that a visionary songwriter is also able to turn herself inside out and give it all away on stage. Skie Bender, lead vocalist and bass player for The Fire Ants, does just that. Walking into Oakland's Stork Club is like taking a demented vacation while never leaving home. You can enjoy the feeling of perpetual Christmas while experiencing a variety of (mostly loud) bands.The Fire Ants managed to sound incredibly good on a relatively lo-fi sound system. Visually, they are dark and minimalist - a trio of seemingly unassuming musicians. Then, as the set gains momentum you see guitarist Kevin Jacobs go through a Jekyll and Hyde type of transformation. Drummer Kelly Busby is an island of cool while the flames go up around him. Skie holds down aggressive bass lines while indulging the audience in a vocal style that ranges from poetic talk singing to powerful vocals that fill the room to bursting. When she puts the bass down, storms across the stage and throws herself to the floor, it's not a show - you can feel her anger and pain. She is the rebel and the muse in one. The Fire Ants are a hard rock band that not only showcases its musical rage, but also articulates its message. I could hear most of her words and they stayed with me.
Open
my veins a bird escapes
All I have is
my imaginary Friend
I'm so glad
you're here
Let's take a
drive
We'll go to
the top of the mountain
There's a secret
place I want to show you…
(from "Imaginary Friend" off their CD by the same title)
The Fire Ants are a twist of expectations, a velvet fist in an iron glove. Their driving, compressed energy makes you rock hard while beautifully crafted lyrics let you come inside the music and stay there.
You've gotta check out this frequent flyer to SF from L.A. - go to www.thefireants.com and enjoy this sharp-edged, prolific, and intelligent band.
