Everything I said in my last post about Anvil not getting the respect they've deserved for all these years can be said for Girlschool. Like their Canadian counterparts, Girlschool blasted onto the scene in the early 1980s only to disappear a few years down the line, although they were bigger in the UK than they were in America. But with all of the other bands from the UK who came on the wave of new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), Girlschool seemed to be the first to fade from view. Should I play the 'it's because heavy metal is sexist' card? After all, Girlschool were an all female outfit. No I won't do that unless clear evidence can be provided, but whatever the reason, one thing I know for sure was that they could rock just as hard as the men.
The 1982 album "Screaming Blue Murder" is proof alone that Girlschool weren't just four pretty bimbos who decided to take up instruments. They could at least play them. Each song, except for maybe the closer, is a true metal tune and each contains something of the basic elements to be a true metal song. "Screaming Blue Murder" is a fantastic opening track and sets the pace to the album ever so appropriately. The introductory riffs on "Take it From Me" are the type to grab you by the ears and say, "Here's a song you should listen to." Other stand out tracks for me are "Don't Call It Love," "Live With Me," "Turns Your Head Around" and "When Your Blood Runs Cold." So, I ask myself, why didn't these girls go onto to the same accolades as the likes of Saxon, Maiden or Priest?
Another issue I noted from listening to the album is the guitar work of one Kelly Johnson. She can shred, plain and simple. Just have a listen to "Don't Call it Love" and you will be convinced. That's the song where she shines the most but she certainly makes her presence known on the other tracks on "Screaming Blue Murder." So, let's all give Johnson the respect she deserves as a guitarist. P.S. You could probably add Kim McAuliffe to my list of great rhythm guitarists as well.
Track Listing:
1. Screaming Blue Murder
2. Live With Me
3. Take It From Me
4. Wildlife
5. Turns Your Head Around
6. Don't Call It Love
7. Hellrazor
8. When Your Blood Runs Cold
9. You Got Me
10. Flesh and Blood
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Girlschool[/caption]
Kim McAuliffe- rhythm guitar, vocals
Kelly Johnson- lead guitar, vocals
Gil Weston- bass, vocals
Denise Dufort- drums
1982 was full of great metal bands, probably so many that some possibly slipped through the cracks and faded into obscurity. That might be said for Girlschool but in that year, they made their mark with the album, "Screaming Blue Murder." For me, it was another metal album made in the way the gods of metal intended and it has played a major role in getting me psyched for Friday.
To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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