Kevin Hopper • Albuquerque Journal BACKSTAGE PASS • Friday, June 3, 2005

Singers Revel in Punk Attitudes

Punk rock-the music-hit in the 1970’s. But punk rock-the attitude-has been with us all along. Johnny Cash was punk rock in the 1950’s. And though you may not look to the 1940’s for examples of punk rock, there are many. Miles Davis comes to mind.

Both Colleen Duffy and Bernadette Seacrest know this all too well. Along with the fact that they both occupy incredible voices, they are both punk rock women who play music influenced by the music of the 1940’s. Swing, jazz, torch songs and the like all play a hand in shaping each of these chanteuse’s music.

Duffy, known professionally as Devil Doll, creates original music fashioned after swing, jazz, rockabilly and punk rock (the music). Originally from the Cleveland working-class neighborhood of Old Brooklyn, Duffy played in various ska and punk outfits before deciding to doll herself up and channel the energy and sexiness of the 1940’s.

Currently residing in Los Angeles,she claims to have originally influenced by Joan Jett musically (it doesn’t really get more punk rock than that) and she also cited such diverse influences as Judas Priest, The Misfits, Etta James and Elvis Presley. Song titles such as “Liquor Store,” “Queen of Pain,” “Bourbon In Your Eyes” and “Heart-Sized Crush” divulge that Duffy isn’t your average girl next door.

Seacrest, who might ring a bell for many since she is a local, also has her own style. Though she doesn’t pen her own songs, she brings a distinctive form to classics such as “My Man'” “Ain’t Misbehaving'” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

Armed with a talented cast of players, from the phenomenal stand-up bass of Michael Grimes (who also composes originals for Seacrest), drummer jason Aspeslet and sax player Aaron Cummings, Seacrest’s CD “No More Music by the Suckers” has become one of the best selling local CDs in a long time.

On the punk rock side, she has a healthy amount of beautiful tattoos, which somehow don’t seem out of place when she’s performing songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday (the latter of which was very punk rock).

Both these performers will share the stage tonight at The Launchpad for a very special nonsmoking event and I won’t hesitate calling it the best punk rock billing of the week. Show starts at 9 p.m. and cover is $7.