Band : Thee Merry Widows

Album title : The Devil's Outlaws

Label : People Like You

Distributor : Sonic Rendezvous

Release date : 07/04/2008

Release : CD

Oakland, California based all-female Psychobilly act Thee Merry Widows was started in 2003 "...by vocalist and burlesque queen Eva von Slut and upright bassist Nikki Nightbreed in their San Fransisco apartment, and the band grew quickly to include sci-fi sweetheart drummer Andrea , Garage Rock rhythm guitar goddess Mistress Mandy , motorcycle maniac turned upright bassist Jenna Ferocious , and lead guitarist/ kendergarten teacher Nichone ..." (from the bio on the band's website merrywidowsmusic.com).

They soon had their first weapon fact in their self-titled, 2004 released EP, which sprouted a couple of tracks that would make it on a variety of compilation albums, and is not completely sold out. The leather, rubber, and brasier donned dames were soon asked to participate in a number of tribute albums (one with Electric Frankenstein songs in 2005, another in honor of Stray Cats – released in January 2006) as well. February 2006 then saw the American release of TMW 's debut album Revenge Served Cold on the Cargo label. Meanwhile the act had become a force to be reckoned with, and started sharing stages with bigger bands in the scene ( Demented Are Go , The Meteors , Guana Batz , Mad Sin , Nekromantix , The Long Tall Texans , Batmobile , The Coffin Nails , and The Misfits to name but a few) as well as putting in several tours (and even appearing on a special show at the state correctional facility of San Quentin. To coincide with their European tour in early 2007, German label PLY (who just happen to be distributed by Cargo in their home country) re-issued an extended version of the debut album in March 2007. Earlier, in Dec. 2006, a tribute album to Frantic Frankensteins including a rendition by the ladies was released on the Red Five imprint, then the band also contributed a song (twice "Grave Robbers (From Outer Space)" ) to the soundtrack of two movies (September released Flying Saucer Attack , in which members of the band appeared as zombies as well; and Vampira – The Movie , which appeared in November), and they also contributed to a couple of compilations throughout the year again. Now the new album is here, and just to make a change it'll be out in Europe before it hits the shops in the US.

To describe their music, maybe it's best to use part of that biography again: "...Combining elements of traditional Psychobilly with their love of Horrorpunk, Surf, and Garage, Thee Merry Widows are America's first all-female Psychobilly band. These girls may be pretty, but make no mistake, they ain't afraid to Rock the fuck out!...". Robust matron Eva 's vocals are somewhat buttery and unilateral, but luckily the occasional backing vocal brings a little diversity in the vocal department, thus preventing that part of the girls' music to become boring. Combined with the instrumental part however, things work in favour of the girls to set 'em apart in the scene...which is certainly a bonus, as it would be positive discrimination (but a form of discrimination nevertheless) to favour the band just because they're an all-female act. As it is, I would say TMW are indeed deservedly named one of the better bands in their genre! If you ask me, I feel they would positively benefit from an increase in backing vocal input, but tht's a perfectly personal opinion, and you can take it for what you feel it's worth. Convince/ deter yourself by checking the songs they posted at myspace.com/themerrywidowsmusic (two tracks off the new album, and 4 others off the debut).

90/100

Tony.