Women: CMW '09 Special

03/10/09 3:28pm

by Zack Vitiello (CHARTattack)

The release of Women's self-titled, noise-rocking debut last July has generated as much buzz about the young band as the amount of tape hiss on the album. And for those of you who haven't heard it, that's a hell of a lot.

Frontman Patrick Flegel took a few minutes to speak with CHARTattack from the back of Women's van as they pulled into Regina for another stop on their extensive tour.

Hometown: Calgary

Members:
Patrick Flegel (guitars, vocals)
Matthew Flegel (bass, percussion, vocals)
Michael Wallace (drums)
Christopher Reimer (guitars, samples, vocals)

Official Website: www.myspace.com/womenmusic

CHARTattack: So, you're about to play the big industry event that is Canadian Music Week. What's the most shameless thing you've ever done to promote your band?
Patrick Flegel: We don't really do anything to promote our band. Aside from playing shows, I can't think of one area where we put the effort in.

What's the hardest part about being an up-and-coming band?
There's nothing hard about it. People are fucking whiners. What's so difficult about being an up-and-coming band, really?

I guess it might be financially straining for a lot of people. That would be difficult. You know, we've been pretty lucky. We've got a bit of funding from the Canadian government, so we're kind of spoiled in that way. I mean, American bands don't get any funding. We're lucky, but that's difficult and kind of deters people from touring or really committing to being in a band.

How important is it for your band members to circulate and flirt with the audience before or after the show?
We're probably the most awkward band you'll ever watch. We don't really feel comfortable with stage banter, but I guess it's kind of different after the show when we're just hanging out. That's one of the most fun parts of playing shows, just hanging out and meeting everyone.

Have you ever stolen from someone else's rider? If so, who was it and what did you take?
[To drummer Michael Wallace: Hey Mike, whose olives did you steal in Amsterdam?]
Ray LaMontagne. Mike took his olives and his mustard, but Mike's good at stealing, so no one noticed.

Have you ever been graded before according to CHARTattack.com's Rock 'N' Roll Report Cards?
What is that?

Have you done anything new or interesting this week?
On Sunday I was in Spain and took four flights in five days. That was new for me. Oh, and I tried killing an endangered animal before a show the other day — a barn owl.

Women play the Horseshoe Tavern on March 12 at 10:10 p.m. as part of the annual CHARTattack/Horseshoe/Canadian Music Week showcase.

Check out CHARTattack's official CMW microsite here.