Isabel Reyes-Feeney (singing/bass), Annie Tierney (guitar) and Lucy Clarke (drums), had just received their A-level results when they played the Reading Festival Summer 1999 and even then they were two EP's old. "Criminales, Coches, Pistoles Y Chicas" (trans : criminals, cars, guns and girls), released in Summer '98 on Supremo, introduced the world to their unique mash of trash DC comic culture and melodic buzz saw garage - the record was Radio One's Steve Lamacq's "Priority Record of The Week" and "Let Me Go" found regular daytime plays in the hands of Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe. On Whiley's invitation, Chicks played the last show of her Channel 4 series - the public's first view of their Manga meets thriftshop glitterball splendour. "Schoolgirls turn popstars!!" features in everything from the NME to The News of The World began to appear and would stretch well into late '99.
Quick on the pick-up, the likes of Sonic Youth, Manic Street Preachers and Fun Lovin' Criminals offered the girls support gigs and a 17 date Autumn UK tour in the company of Ash and Idlewild (only slightly their elder) was easily the most exciting show in every town it rolled over.
A talent scout for Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks was at one of the Ash shows and was suitably impressed to offer them a two-album deal. After a several month courtship and consideration of a multitude of counter-offers, they accepted. To coincide with the tour, the track, "Feminist" appeared on the Ltd Fierce Panda EP, previous outlet for the talents of Ash, Placebo, Supergrass and Embrace. December '98 saw Chicks playing their first UK headline tour before joining Ash again in Dublin and Belfast for their Xmas shows.
1999 started even better - stars of the televised (C4) NME Brats show in London, Melody Maker January cover stars, "Daria" (an ode to the cult American cartoon ultra-ironist) on MM's cover mounted CD of their 12 favourite bands in February and a new EP, "Little Monkeys With Lots Of Money" released in March. The Reading Festival in August was Chick's biggest test but they more than proved their readiness for a world stage.
Chicks were then invited to record a cover version, Gary Glitters "I Love You Love, Me Love" by the infamous Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ fame for a Glam Rock tribute album. The album "BLOCKBUSTER A Glitter Glam Rock Experience also features The Donnas.
Plans were then hatched for the recording of their debut album, to be produced by Adam & Eve, (Neil & Jennifer from Royal Trux). 2000 saw Chicks fly to Philadelphia to Tongue & Groove Studios where they recorded arguably the finest debut album by an all girl rock'n'roll band ever. What has happened since "Chicks Do Philly"?
Chicks returned to Dublin and recorded some more tracks. Tim Wheeler from Ash dropped in to play some some acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks.
Chicks played what was their last shows as a four piece featuring Yvonne McClelland from Akira on second guitar December 2000 Wednesday 13th at The Shelter, Dublin and Thursday 14th at The Monarch, Camden, London.
With little enthusiasm from Dreamworks Records, Chicks asked to leave and very kindly Dreamworks returned the album. With the rights reverted to Chicks, "Chicks Do Philly" should see the light of day sometime early in 2002. As soon as we have any news we'll post it on the site.
DISCOGRAHPY:
"Criminales,Coches, Pistolas
Y Chicas"
Supremo Recordings 1998 limited 7" yellow vinyl & cd single
REMO 001CD
"Little Monkeys With Lots
Of Money"
Supremo Recordings March limited 7" blue vinyl & cd single
REMO 002CD
"The Joys Of Plecs"
Fierce Panda featured Chicks "Feminist"
very limited 7" double pack 1999 NING 63
"Blockbusters"
Conspiracy Music features "I Love You Love"
CD ALBUM 2000
