{"id":46917,"date":"2014-11-16T08:59:23","date_gmt":"2014-11-16T13:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=46917"},"modified":"2014-12-25T07:45:35","modified_gmt":"2014-12-25T12:45:35","slug":"interview-with-isis-queen-of-the-barb-wire-dolls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-isis-queen-of-the-barb-wire-dolls\/","title":{"rendered":"Isis Queen of the Barb Wire Dolls"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Marija Brettle<\/span>
\n– Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

— November 07, 2014, London —<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Barb<\/p>\n

Back in the 2010, at the top of the newly emerging LA punk scene, Greek punk rockers Barb Wire Dolls have fast become one of the must\u2013see bands. By keeping true to their punk ideals they soon build up reputation for their blistering live-high energy rock shows and their raging-guitar, hook-filled classic debut album. <\/p>\n

Fronted by the enigmatic blonde bombshell Isis Queen, Los Angeles-based Barb Wire Dolls formed at the Ikarys, a remote artist commune on the island of Crete in 2008. With Greece in a state of political turmoil and bankruptcy, fate and destiny intervened when the legendary DJ of L.A.\u2019s KROQ, Rodney Bingenheimer discovered the band and started playing theirs\u2019 EP non-stop. He invited the band to perform in Hollywood and within a few weeks Barb Wire Dolls moved to Venice Beach in Los Angeles and the rest is \u2018epic history.\u2019 \u201cGrecian imports Barb Wire Dolls have taken the Sunset Street by storm,\u201d<\/em> writes the Roxy Theatre as their U.S. debut show at the famed venue sold out. After selling out and packing monthly residencies in the L.A. area from the Viper Room, On the Rox to the Doll Hut, Barb Wire Dolls headed out to conquer the rest of America. As some of the music critics writes, \u201cBarb Wire Dolls are the most important punk invasion to the USA since the Sex Pistols!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

In 2012 the Greek four-piece; vocalist Isis Queen, Guitarist Pyn Doll, bassist JayJay Doll and drummer Krash Doll, released their much anticipated debut album Slit<\/em>, masterminded by legendary producer Steve Albini.<\/p>\n

The band toured throughout 2012 and half of 2013 in the U.S. playing over 300 shows including headlining the festivals Texas Showdown, Ink Life, Brincadeira and Rock4Unity. In May 2013 the band started their first European tour to promote Slit<\/em>. This year, after a successful U.K.-European tour, Barb Wire Dolls are set to record their sophomore album in Texas at Sonic Ranch. The new studio album Rhythm Method<\/em> is set for an official release in the summer of 2015.<\/p>\n

Before they head off to the U.S., Hardrock Haven caught up with the Los Angeles based singer Isis Queen. She discusses why she had to rebel against everything at a very young age and what punk music really means to her. She also talks about why their debut is a big slap in the face to all that\u2019s been labeled \u2018punk\u2019 over the last two decades, their new coming album, Rhythm Method<\/em> as well as the hopes for the band \u2026<\/p>\n

\"ISISHRH: Hi Isis, thank you for making the time for this interview! For any punk rock band playing in London must be like going back to the homeland of the punk rock music-full circle! I hear some punk icons came to see your show? (12th of October 2014, BWD played at the London\u2019s Purple Turtle Venue)<\/p>\n

ISIS: It was the fourth time we played in London and each time we play this magical city, something new happens! This night, we had some amazing punk legends show up and that added to the electricity of the show. I can only imagine what London must have been like in 1977.<\/p>\n

HRH: When you came on stage, from the start the audience went wild. Punks of all ages, hungry for punk with substance … and yeah, there was no fighting, spitting or throwing things at the band, like in the early days of the punk music?<\/p>\n

Isis: The punk of 1977 is long gone but because they say \u2018punks never die,\u2019 something rebellious still lingers on in even the punks that lived through the first wave. Our shows are about release and awareness and like a wake up call alarm! The music and live performance is there to inspire you to change what you don\u2019t like about your life and start doing something about it. We are not necessarily rebelling against all authority, but more of having an inner revolution to awaken the souls\u2019 desires and to act on it so one can live a fulfilling life! <\/p>\n

HRH: Your performances and the way you interact with the crowd appear to be quite sexually charged and provocative. Can you share any interesting stage experience or stories that you can\u2019t forget in the hurry-good or bad?<\/p>\n

Isis: Our shows were much more \u2018sexually charged\u2019 before, but I have been arrested (charges dropped later on) for indecent exposure and for inciting a riot! (Laughs) I look at a show as a sexual release too and I get off on stage. Sex after a show is always more sweaty, wild, and full of passion. The show is the greatest foreplay a woman can heated up to!<\/p>\n

HRH: In your songs seems like you hold a lot of anger, rage and hunger to shock and outrage. Tell me where this rage and aggression comes from? What makes you so angry?<\/p>\n

Isis: I started working as a cocktail waitress and later as a dancer in a club at age 14 in Athens, Greece because my mother who was working many jobs to take care of me and my sister just wasn\u2019t enough. I moved out early from my broken home and did what I needed to survive. I was very angry at my father who did certain things to my mother and our family and I found refuge in escaping reality. I hated my life at one point so much that I thought there was no way out and suicide was the only answer. I just had to rebel against everything back then. I didn\u2019t know I had any creative outlet which I have now in singing and all that pent up aggression and anger stems from being stifled creatively.<\/p>\n

To continue reading the interview click the number link below:
\n<\/p>\n

\"ISISHRH: I read somewhere the brother of the Joey Ramones called Barb Wire Dolls, \u201cOne of the most explosive and exciting new punk band I have seen in decades,\u201d<\/em> after seeing your performance in New York City. When you started with this band did you have any idea of what you wanted to bring to the music?<\/p>\n

Isis: I along with Pyn (guitarist) we were totally bored of the contemporary rock music out there. All the punk bands from back in the day where old news but that\u2019s what inspired us. I wanted to bring back that energy that those great legendary bands had. We simply started this band out of boredom and a desire to destroy the wimpy \u201chipster\/indie\u201d music out there! (Laughs)<\/p>\n

HRH: Considering that you\u2019re originally from Greece, where there\u2019s not much history of Punk scene, how difficult and challenging was it to keep it together as a band?<\/p>\n

Isis: Greece has its own little punk history, but none of the bands had enough vision to go play in America or England. They had the opportunities but they all fight amongst themselves and stab each other in the back … non-stop! (Laughs) It\u2019s the Greek mentality in the music scene here. There is no unity. That\u2019s what we wanted and strived to achieve in Greece when we put on our own punk shows every Sunday for months in Athens to try and create a real scene. It worked well for us but the back stabbing was too much so thankfully, around that time we got invited to play a show in Los Angeles and that\u2019s all it took for us to sell everything we had, buy tickets and get over there as soon as possible! We don\u2019t let others create our destiny! We create it ourselves.<\/p>\n

HRH: In the ’70s and ’80s being punk rock band was all about a passionate group of people who are not afraid to stand up and challenge the corrupted society and the man in the suit. Do you believe that you are once again doing exactly that, by bringing back the essence of the punk and standing against the corrupt governments and the injustice in the system?<\/p>\n

Isis: That\u2019s what punk is known for mostly, but I feel it is also the same for changing the music styles and attitudes. Anyone can learn an instrument in a few months or start singing and in just a few months, one can have a functioning punk band. The agenda one has is up to them. With our debut Slit we attacked everything. With the new album, we are diving deeper into the individuals\u2019 soul for redemption.<\/p>\n

HRH: Would you say that your background had a profound effect on your music direction in any way? Like in the song \u201cYour Escape\u201d … that has been directly inspired by the more current political turmoil and debt crisis in Greece?<\/p>\n

Isis: Everything that I have experienced and has created my persona is reflected in the music and live performance for sure. Being in Greece during the financial crisis and political turmoil enraged me, because Greeks always had a passion for life, to celebrate it, and suddenly I saw that the modern Greeks had given up and had become slaves to the system. They have been brainwashed by everything from TV to talk radio to sports and have forgotten the ecstasy of life! I am compassionate for all people who are enslaved metaphorically but there is no excuse. Wake up and start using your mind to create a new experience. Escape your fate and re-create!<\/p>\n

\"ISISHRH: Tell me more about the band and yourself for people who still haven\u2019t heard of Barb Wire Dolls. How did you guys hook up in the first place? <\/p>\n

Isis: We as a band are a revolution! We live together and share everything. No one makes money, everyone has their duties and we all have one mission: to play our original music to audiences that will have us … We started the band in an artist commune in the mountains of Crete, an island in Greece, and I and Pyn started it first together. After I saw the concert movie \u201cThe Song Remains The Same\u201d by Led Zeppelin three times in a row, (Laughs) I asked Pyn to start a band with me because I was so inspired by the movie and I wanted to sing. Later on we got JayJay and Krash in the band. As for songs, our debut is a big slap in the face to all that\u2019s been called \u2018punk\u2019 the last two decades. It\u2019s the real, honest, raw response to the status quo! <\/p>\n

HRH: How did you end up working with the legendary producer Steve Albini on your debut album?<\/p>\n

Isis: Pyn knew him from before when he recorded with him in other bands that he was in and he called Steve and we got two nights to record the album. Steve is a busy man and he made time for us to do our thing. He\u2019s a mastermind at capturing the pure soul of a band.<\/p>\n

HRH: Despite the fact that this record was praised as \u201cOne of the best punk rock albums made in the last two decades,\u201d<\/em> some critics would say that there is an unmistakable underlining of the grunge sound on the album … and thanks to Steve\u2019s previous work with grunge bands, like Nirvana? <\/p>\n

Isis: It most certainly has that influence. Nirvana came to see Pyn\u2019s old band before they recorded Nevermind<\/em> and Kurt was inspired by Pyn\u2019s band, so the circle just keeps turning. Nothing is original and everything is unique.<\/p>\n

To continue reading the interview click the number link below:
\n<\/p>\n

\"ISISHRH: In one of your earlier interviews you\u2019re saying that you always were angry, misunderstood and very rebellious by nature … rebelling against anything and anybody who care to listen. Would you say that punk was something that you can relate to from the early age, where you can throw out on all aggression, express yourself?<\/p>\n

Isis: Punk is the voice of a honest expressive human being. It is not an escape, it is an outlet for expression and that is why punk has value and merit even in this day and age when escapism is the biggest seller to the slaves of society.<\/p>\n

HRH: How were you first introduced to punk and what was the first record you ever bought?<\/p>\n

Isis: I got introduced to the \u201creal\u201d punk by Pyn and I can\u2019t remember buying many records because I was too broke and making rent and food and some money for new clothes was about the limit.<\/p>\n

HRH: Are there any names, bands that inspired you musically or lyrically and have been responsible for your love of punk? You mention few people like Sex Pistols, The Clash, Patti Smith … How did the punk icon such as Patti Smith inspire you as a woman and punk rock singer? <\/p>\n

Isis: All these artists mentioned above were real. They created a new path, not one that was designed for them. They are all visionaries and rebels and how can that not inspire anyone who is at the very least awake at the moment? I also am in love with Darby Crash of the Germs, X Ray Spex, The Slits, and The Bags, and a few others that don\u2019t fit exactly in this category, like Led Zeppelin, AC\/DC, Joy Division, and Devo.<\/p>\n

HRH: In one of your interviews you mention that your debut Slit<\/em> was named in dedication of one of your favorite British punk rock bands, The Slits. How did you get hooked on this band?<\/p>\n

Isis: Ari Up before she passed away invited me to sing on stage with her and I did and it was epic! She was going to come live with us for a long time at the artist commune but suddenly she died. She was one of the most amazing and misunderstood artists of all time!<\/p>\n

HRH: What is it that you like about her lyrics and music so much … and in what way you have been influenced by the singer of this band, Ari Up (Ariane Forster)?<\/p>\n

Isis: It\u2019s not about her lyrics or music. It was about her. Where she came from, how young she was at the time, what she did, and what it meant to the people that had the blessing of discovering her band. I don\u2019t idolize her, or anyone for that matter. She just inspired me to be myself and to stick to my guns and principles and to never compromise<\/p>\n

\"ISISHRH: Back in the late ’70s Punk music always has been a male dominated world. What is your thought on sexism in the punk rock scene right now?<\/p>\n

Isis: It is way worse now than it was in the \u201870s. The rock world needs a real pussy riot! (Laughs) <\/p>\n

HRH: (Laughs) You mention that your new album will be way different from your debut album Slit. So what we can expect from this record?<\/p>\n

Isis: A natural progression. We have found melody in our lives and it is reflected in the new songs. The album has everything in the circle of life.<\/p>\n

HRH: I love the new Barb Wire Dolls book, \u2018Destination Punk,\u2019 Stunning shots of the band, especially of you! Some would say you are the next Debbie Harry or Courtney Love in some ways, but with some more forceful, raging stage persona. Did you collaborate on this book?<\/p>\n

Isis: It\u2019s all Svenja Block. It\u2019s her baby and we had nothing to do with it. Like the other three books already published on us. It\u2019s their creativity and we don\u2019t want ever to stand in their way of that expression. As for Debbie Harry and Courtney Love, I see myself as nothing to do with either of them. I connect more to the image of rock and roll that is in my mind and it comes from the source of human experience, male or female!<\/p>\n

HRH: How did you meet with the New York photographer Bob Gruen?<\/p>\n

Isis: We bumped into him in New York City on the Bowery where CBGB used to be and invited him to our debut show there the next night, and he came. He invited us to his house and he ended up taking photos of us and then later came and lived at the artist commune with us for a bit last summer. It\u2019s been a real honor to have him as a friend. We all love Bob.<\/p>\n

HRH: Following your London show you went to Germany, where it seems like you had a blast and continue to live your dream…or as you put it \u2018making a new history!\u2019 You recorded a double live album and live DVD at Wild At Heart! Tell me more about it?<\/p>\n

Isis: It\u2019s just one of the things we did to capture this period of our life before we enter the studio this month to record the new album. We like shaking things up a bit and when the time is right. We will put out the double live album. The show was great; the magic was there that night…<\/p>\n

To continue reading the interview click the number link below:
\n<\/p>\n

\"MARIAHRH: What\u2019s the future going to be for BARB WIRE DOLLS … what are your plans and hopes?<\/p>\n

Isis: I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free! That is a quote from the Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis. That says it all! <\/p>\n

HRH: You have been often called enigmatic, attractive, sexy punk rock singer, with an amazingly powerful voice! How would you describe yourself in three words -or more if you like? <\/p>\n

Isis: Body, mind, soul!<\/p>\n

HRH: Thank you Isis for making the time for HARDROCK HAVEN. It\u2019s been absolute pleasure to catch up with you and the band! Best of luck with the production of your new record!<\/p>\n

Photos appear courtesy of: Jade Jadranka<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Special thank you to Mick Wood, (from MONST.A Entertainment\u2019s, London) for making possible for us to watch the BWD \u2018Purple Turtle\u2019 show! <\/p>\n

Music Video of \u201cI Will Sail\u201d(Demo version!!) Promo video…
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ifp1nPu0I_A&feature=youtu.be<\/p>\n

Music video of \u2018Take Me Home\u2019
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8wrKZpEAmtU#t=56<\/p>\n

*** Live videos of ‘Rhythm Method’ tracks from the 2014 Fall UK-European tour:
\n‘Darby Crash’\/’Drown’\/’Surreal’\/’Rhythm Method’ (4 songs):
\n