Never Mind the Bollocks – the Robots have arrived (Part 2)

Posted on 31st Oct 07 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Robots in Disguise
Author: Aoife Barry

When I saw an image from the shoot" I immediately thought about the iconic cover of The Slits' album Cut" where the all"female band were dressed in loincloths and pictured almost naked and smeared in mud. It was primal" sexy and provocative. In a way" the Robots' cover " where they're body painted to look like they're wearing white shirts" skinny ties and badges " is an edgier" modern take on it. "The fact that it is shocking is good"" says Dee passionately. "For me" it was really inspired by the Slits' cover of Cut where they've all got their tits out basically" but they're covered in mud" so they're still sexy but they look really strong. It was definitely inspired by that for me."

One thing that marks out the Robots from many of their peers is that they generally have an all"female band" something that they strive hard to keep. "I still think there's sort of a massive imbalance " that's why we specifically wanted a female drummer"" says Sue. "We did have a male drummer at one point" but we specifically wanted a female drummer" because despite the fact there's probably a lot of good male drummers that applied for the job" we still had to be sexist and say no"positive discrimination." The image of three female musicians on stage is a powerful one" and the meaning is not lost on Dee. "I think visually it has loads of impact"" she muses. "Because you come to a gig and if you're a boy or a girl" you see three women on stage playing their instruments" and their own songs. You know" that sticks in your head."

"If there were equal numbers "of men and women in music" at this time" which there still really isn't" then you wouldn't have to even think about it any more" really"" says Sue. But being an all"female band isn't just something they want to appeal to women. "I think there are a lot of men who don't want male stereotypes "pushed" on them" like young men who are a bit more girly" who don't just want to be a stereotype or whatever"" says Dee. "I do think it's empowering for guys to watch us"" agrees Sue.

What about women who are reading this and who want to start a band" I ask for their advice " and it turns out to be pretty straightforward. "Just get on with it" basically"" advises Sue. "Learn three chords and start singing" write some lyrics" just fuck about with it for a bit." Dee's advice is similar: "Get a friend to write with you. You can write separately" but it is more fun getting together and playing " just get a band together."

Being in a band might seem like the ultimate fantasy career" but it's in reality it's damn hard work. "You've got to be really prepared to sacrifice stuff. Like" we haven't had much money for years"" says Dee. "So you have to kind of work out if you can cope with that." The Robots first met in college" and have been plugging away around Europe and the UK for around seven years. "A lot of people fall to the wayside after" like" one album. They give up" and they finally think 'I've got to get some money. I've got to have a real job.' Whereas we've actually managed to stick it out for ages and we're still skint"" says Sue.

I don't really sense a hint of regret in her voice. Sue and Dee's honesty is refreshing at a time when the music world can be a lot about smoke and mirrors" perpetuating the myth of endless sex" drugs and rock and roll" and plenty of cash. "It's really" really hard"" says Dee. "You have to know that this is what you want to do. If you like performing" then you just know." I don't have any doubt that the two women sitting in front of me 'just know' this is what they want to do. "I think you have to be prepared to put ten years of your life into it" before you're successful"or if you look at a band like Pulp" I think it was 15 years for them"" says Sue. "There are a few lucky ones that get successful right away" but otherwise you're talking about a few years."

It's getting nearer the time for them to start their set" so I leave Dee and Sue to get ready. When they hit the stage they're clad in bright pink robotic catsuits with backcombed hair and glitter a go"go. During the energetic show they shout" dance" spit and stage dive. The audience" mostly female" jumps around and shouts back" clearly excited and enamoured by the axe"wielding women on stage. It feels like now is the time for the Robots to get the success they've worked so hard to get. Never mind the bollocks " the Robots in Disguise are here to rewrite electro"punk rock.

http://www.robotsindisguise.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/robotsindisguise