Barb Wire Dolls
Interview conducted on Feb. 28, 2022
By Dan Locke
The band formed in Crete, Greece in 2008 with the members IQueen and Pyn Doll while living in the Ikarus Artist Commune in Avdou.The lineup later consisted of IQueen on vocals, lead guitarist Pyn Doll (also the band’s professional skateboarder and surfer), rhythm guitarist Xtine, bassist Iriel Blaque, and drummer Krash Doll. The group’s debut EP, Punk the Fussies!, was self-released in 2010.
After playing many times in Greece, including several festivals, the band came to the attention of KROQ radio host Rodney Bingenheimer and relocated temporarily to Los Angeles, California in December 2010, where they played a sold out U.S. debut show at The Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip. The band also played residencies at The Whisky a Go Go (March, July/August 2015, May 2016, March 2017), The Viper Room, On The Rox, and the Doll Hut. In 2011 they were spotted by Tom Zutaut with whom they worked with for a period of 6 months. After self-releasing the album consisting of 2 EP’s Fuck the Pussies in 2011, the band first released the Steve Albini-engineered album Slit on CD and on vinyl LP in 2012 with distributor Darla Records. The recording of the album was funded via Kickstarter.
Band Members
- Isis Queen – vocals
- Pyn Doll – lead guitar
- Remmington – rhythm guitar
- Iriel Blaque – bass guitar
- Krash Doll – drums
What is your upbringing?
Isis Queen: I was born in Athens, Greece and after my parents divorced, my mother, sister and I moved temporarily to Australia to live with my aunt who lives there. I returned back to Greece when I was 12.
How did you discover music?
My mother always played the early Detroit R&B groups and The Doors, but it wasn’t until I heard Silverchair did I like distorted rock music.
You band is from Greece. How did your band form?
We lived in an artist commune in Crete called The Ikarus and recorded our first demos there and played our first shows on the island before going to Athens and then Los Angeles.
How did you get your bands name?
We just watched Barb Wire with Pamela Anderson and we loved The New York Dolls, so we kind of put them together. Like a bad Barbie ya know?
Describe your music.
It varies. It can be as soft as possible to the most potentially dangerous soundtrack for a revolution.
Tell me about the first night you played in the United States at your sold out show at the Roxy Theater?
Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ introduced us as “this is history in the making” because we were the first rock band from Greece to ever perform in the USA.
How was it to be signed by Lemmy of Motorhead?
The biggest and highest honor. No one is more rock and roll than Lem.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP ?
I don’t care about this stuff.
What makes a good songwriter?
What makes a bad songwriter? I guess the opposite then.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Street Generation. It was recorded as a demo.
What is the process of writing your music?
It just happens in an instant. It’s surreal really. Some rehearsals we wrote ten songs in three hours.
What is your favorite track on your album?
On SLIT, it would be “Your Escape”.
You are now part of a project to help the Children of Ukraine. Tell me about it?
It’s just a way to help get some funds to the victims there. For the children at this point. It’s just a mini action taken that can possibly help someone out who needs it more than us. We’re wishing only for this war to be over quickly and to find ways to live in peace without government corruption. Is that even possible?
Part of the deal is using your debute album “SLIT”. How was it to work with Steve Albini?
It has a few tracks that get some vital points out. Just listen to “Revolution”, “World On Fire”, and “Shut Up Slut”.
How was it to record it in Chicago?
Extremely awesome. Steve is a genius. And humble. And opinionated.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I just don’t care. Let there be music available to anyone who seeks it. It should all be free for everyone and only live shows should charge money.
You have played Riot Fest a few times. What is your best memory of playing in Chicago?
Riot Fest. Just awesome. The crowd seemed to understand what we stand for.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl sounds like organic honey but sometimes I don’t have time, so I use bleached sugar.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Anarchy In The UK by the Sex Pistols. That song is etched in my brain.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
There will always be something to hinder live music because that’s where people find answers to the corruption of the worlds leaders.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
No.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Writing music. Surfing. Living life as best I can.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Surfing. And lots of sex of course.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I’ve been painting a lot and it’s soothing.
Recently the virus has come back with the Delta outbreak, then you Omicron, which as cause many people in the industry to worry about the future of live music.
How would you like live shows to be held and still keep you and fans safe.
I just can’t comment on this crazy world we live in other than that we all have the power within to change our fate.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Most big bands have openers that pay shitloads of money to open for them. It’s just business before art.
The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with.
Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense
Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas .
If the cost was down to the point you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?
Disgusting. Yuck. I’ll take anything real any day.
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
A hippie camping like a surf bum with no job.
What is your happy place?
Being in the water. And surfing.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million. In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million) , Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, John Legend, ZZ Top and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Neil Young song 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180 song catalogue to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited . Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative then the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offering by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
On January 19, 2021 Hipgnosis Song Management acquired 80% of Kenny Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering the country superstar’s discography from his 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
Someone who was totally against selling his rights was David Crosby. He did not want to sell his publishing rights. In addition, it was not an easy thing for him to do. However, by making a deal with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group, it took a big weight off his shoulders. He could pay off his house and cover other bills. Now he does not have to work for a living. It should be noted that David is battling tendinitis in his hands, which hurts his ability to play guitar.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
I don’t think they understand the value of a song like “Revolution” yet. But if they do, they’ll probably wanna buy it. One day I could see that happening.
Are there any songs you have never played live?
Dozens and dozens of our unreleased original songs.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thanks for interviewing me and taking the time to care for a band that appreciates it. Blessings to you. Carpe diem. IQ
