Hailing from Long Beach are two subversively charming lasses with lo-fi dreams. Operating under the moniker Cunt Sparrer, singer-guitarist Jennie Cotterill, 27, and singer-keyboardist Sara Lyons, 24, pay loving homage to punk icons Cock Sparrer. Singing such songs as “Because You're Young,” “Take 'Em All” and “Riot Squad” the duo is accompanied on drums (I use the word drums loosely) by 23-year-old Evan Sinclair.
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Their artistic strategy is to depose the distorted fury of the
original east London group and replace it with deliciously novel
arraignments. They do this by arming themselves with a thrift store
keyboard, acoustic guitar, as well as various found-items substituted
for standard percussive implements.
This is all accompanied by Cotterill
and Lyon, who some say have fiercely squeaky voices. Watching them open for Jesse Malin
last week at Alex's Bar, it was hard not to think of what might have
happened had Laverne and Shirley started playing indie-punk music
(relax, this is is a compliment). Though Cotterill and Lyons have known
each other for years, the band is still in its infancy, having formed
in January of this year.
“It started because I thought
that Cunt Sparrer would be a great name for a Cock Sparrer, cover band,”
says Lyons. “And I've been a big fan (of the band) since high school.” The
resulting gigs are droll, cleverly simple and fun to watch. At any
given Cunt Sparrer show, you'll find Lyons standing behind a small
four-legged wheezing contraption known as a Polychord Selector that
Cotterill picked up at the Long Beach Antique Market. Describing the
sound of the instrument, Cotterill explains, “the one we have has a
couple notes that sound like a duck.”
that Cunt Sparrer would be a great name for a Cock Sparrer, cover band,”
says Lyons. “And I've been a big fan (of the band) since high school.” The
resulting gigs are droll, cleverly simple and fun to watch. At any
given Cunt Sparrer show, you'll find Lyons standing behind a small
four-legged wheezing contraption known as a Polychord Selector that
Cotterill picked up at the Long Beach Antique Market. Describing the
sound of the instrument, Cotterill explains, “the one we have has a
couple notes that sound like a duck.”
Adds Lyons, “anything
that you have to plug in doesn't have the same tone as the Polychord
Selector. It has such a unique tone you can't replicate
electronically.”
that you have to plug in doesn't have the same tone as the Polychord
Selector. It has such a unique tone you can't replicate
electronically.”
Meanwhile, percussionist Evan Sinclair
plays little more than a snare drum and another vintage keyboard, which
he uses as a de-facto kick drum. The choice of instrumentation yields
unexpectedly practical benefits. “On Sunday we played a show
where there was no PA, but they said 'it won't be a big deal because you
guys won't need one,” says Cotterill.
plays little more than a snare drum and another vintage keyboard, which
he uses as a de-facto kick drum. The choice of instrumentation yields
unexpectedly practical benefits. “On Sunday we played a show
where there was no PA, but they said 'it won't be a big deal because you
guys won't need one,” says Cotterill.
This week Cunt Sparrer
will be heading for San Francisco where they will be playing a handful
of shows with another group of punk-rock heavies, U.S. Bombs. Are they
intimidated? Maybe a little.
will be heading for San Francisco where they will be playing a handful
of shows with another group of punk-rock heavies, U.S. Bombs. Are they
intimidated? Maybe a little.
“I'm not nervous about what the
other bands are going to think, I'm more concerned about their fans,”
says Lyons who adds, “We're not claiming to be big punks…In this
scene, that's hard for some people to wrap their heads around. But once
they see where we're coming from and singing these songs with love…”
other bands are going to think, I'm more concerned about their fans,”
says Lyons who adds, “We're not claiming to be big punks…In this
scene, that's hard for some people to wrap their heads around. But once
they see where we're coming from and singing these songs with love…”
Upon
returning, Cunt Sparrer will be playing more dates in Long Beach,
including a July 7 show at DiPiazza's. They currently have plans to
record a full length album at the home of Lyon's boyfriend, local Long
Beach musician Rusty Cavinder. No surprise, they'll be using analog
recording equipment.
returning, Cunt Sparrer will be playing more dates in Long Beach,
including a July 7 show at DiPiazza's. They currently have plans to
record a full length album at the home of Lyon's boyfriend, local Long
Beach musician Rusty Cavinder. No surprise, they'll be using analog
recording equipment.
