Helsinki Band, Barbe-Q-Barbies: Way More Than Just Hot Chicks with Guitars

A typical trend in the music industry, among the sold out shows versus sell-out images, the cut-throat execs that make or break careers, and other horror and triumph epics, is an ugly face of sexism which has endured slowly progressing plastic surgery. From Janis Joplin to Pat Benetar to Fanny, Girlschool, and The Runaways, women have proved time and again that they have an equal-if-not-better amount of rock 'n' roll talent than men. Viewed primarily as a novelty act in their early stages, as the cute, leather clad girls holding guitars, women in rock each held claim in their own ways as being the "ones" to break the bias barrier. The crumbling of sexism in music paved the way for today's rock 'n' roll goddesses like Barbe-Q-Barbies, five Helsinki hotties who more than just happen to make music, they create timeless anthems for healing everything in life -- from idiot-boy induced heartache and other common happenings between people in all walks of life -- and do it with fierce energy driving full-bodied love and dedication to their craft.

The love and dedication doesn't stop after performances and practice sessions, as front woman Niki wants to put Barbe-Q-Barbies into worldwide consciousness badly enough to allow me to interview her while she's laid up with the flu. "It's horrible, I'm coughing all the time," she says just as drummer Niina arrives.

Like their female rocker pioneers, Barbe-Q-Barbies has themes centered around issues more commonly addressed in the female realm. The band never intended for their themes to have this trend, but they are women who compose lyrics based on the emotions they've experienced which move them to write light-hearted but tough, fun, and sometimes angry lyrical trends -- the songs are so upbeat and well composed that the themes actually add to their greatness. "In the beginning, Barbe-Q-Barbies was not supposed to be solely based on girls, but it ended up that way, " says Niki. Her concern is centered on the purposes of other girl bands who thrive on the industry's bias against women rockers like the "many girl bands [who] are. . .based on selling themselves with their looks, like objects, but we were against that," says Niki, "and those bands are the ones who give us a bad reputation. Of course, through history, female artists haven't had the same credibility as the male artists, but the world has changed. Many men still think women can't play rock music, but we prove them wrong!" In a nutshell, Barbe-Q-Barbies are musicians, not women who play instruments.

The art of making music is a social yet spiritual bond between the members. "I myself couldn't think of life without playing. I enjoy everything that's involved in it -- writing songs, rehearsing, playing gigs, and just hanging out together," says guitarist Kaisa, via e-mail.

Probably the way all the different facets of each Barbe-Q-Barbie fit together with jigsaw puzzle-like precision could give reason to why five women can spend so much time closely working together and not be ready to rip each other's hair out. The lyrics to the demo the band originally recorded last fall are inspired collectively from "life experience, "personal feelings, heartaches, and fiction characters -- everyday life is the most inspiring of all," says Niki.

"I guess we're part of the Scandinavian ACTION rock movement -- not trying to be pioneers [of a new music movement], just want to rock all in the spirit of madness," adds Niina, "We are like this big bowl of ideas, all kinds, but some how we're able to put [it together into some] idea. And every new member adds something new to the mix. We like all different music and have different influences. It's weird, but it works." Barbe-Q-Barbies encounters characters, such as the sickeningly perfect rich girl or the self-proclaimed player types, such as those described in Gucci Girl and Rockstar.

Gucci Girl made me laugh the first time I heard it, as the Barbies sing in harmonized lines: "She's so stupid but/She thinks that she's cool/Pretty bimbo/She's such a fool." My immediate response was a memory of a girl from my high school who was self-absorbed enough to write a "how-to" essay about shopping and her equally snobby minions who made fun of anyone who had to settle for department store clothes. I mention that to Niki, who tells me I've hit the nail on the head: "Gucci Girl is definitely about these 'Paris Hilton' type girls who are born with a golden spoon up their [expletive]; just snobs." On the subject of Paris Hilton's earlier fiasco involving her legal entourage requesting a transfer from jail to house arrest, Niki agrees with the majority of the American public who proclaimed that the heiress should have expected to serve her jail time, being as she wasn't above the law. "I mean, really -- endangering other people's lives is a big deal," she adds.

Rockstar is not a song about anyone in particular, but it's the norm of young rock stars' lifestyles to surround themselves in situations where it's hard to stay true and faithful to one woman. This song is set to a late 50s-style rock beat with a mix of tender and tough emotions -- as if they've managed to say "I'm really hurt emotionally, and I want to hurt you physically" with just the music alone. It's only natural that the Barbies would compose an angry response to men who have supposed serious relationships but are still compelled to cheat and base it on the age-old typical "rock star" lifestyle. "We all know men in bands usually aren't the most faithful ones, and we've experienced this [firsthand]," says Niki.

Kaisa also adds that the bands eclectic musical influences are part of the flavor that makes up BQB music. "[For example, in my CD player right now, there's] Amy Winehouse Back to Black, Danzig, Kiss, Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Suzi Quatro, and lots more. I listen to music nearly all the time," Kaisa says.

Consequences, another recorded song, is a great crowd tune with a mixture of punk and blues feel. The backing vocals are a descending "ooohh," similar to the backing vocals in Gun's 'N' Roses' Welcome to the Jungle, but more repetitive and with a different closing rhythmic pattern. The lyrics are a tell-all story about why we shouldn't mess with these girls, because the consequences will "get you good." The attitude and heavy bass line is reminiscent of The Runaways.

There's a purpose behind everything this band does, right down to cover tunes. "We've played a couple of AC/DC covers, but we mostly focus on playing our own stuff. Picking the right song to cover is hard -- just liking the song is not a good enough reason," says Kaisa.

The girls recorded last fall, but don't expect to get your hands on a copy any time soon -- it must be re-recorded. "we recorded the songs but will not be able to use them because we have a new singer. The album was sung by our ex-frontwoman, Maria," explains Niina.

The making of the original recording wasn't a waste, though, especially since it meant working with The 69 Eyes guitarist Bazie -- he helped Barbe-Q-Barbies record the original demo. "We saw the light," exclaims Niki, "Bazie is a really earth going fella. He came to our trainings, and we came up with new ideas and chancings together. He's a really good friend of ours."

The Barbies are continuing to rework their first album along side Hannu Leiden (The Major Leiden Productions). "That's our 'label' right now -- Hannu does the production and label management, of course. We get good feedback from Rockdynasty Promotion, for example," says Niina about current production procedures, which seem to be an advantage compared to most unsigned bands who record and produce their own demos. Niina admits though that an American tour would not be feasible without a label to set up gigs and tours. One factor that hits Barbe-Q-Barbies with a blow hard enough to smack them away from instant fame is their constant line-up refurbishing from the band's public debut in 2002 and continues through Niki signing on as front woman in 2007.

The original Barbies were Niina and Ekkis, who inspired The Barbe-Q-Barbies for Niina herself during early band sessions. The name of the band actually comes from a scene from Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun video (1994) where a blonde little girl "barbeques" a Barbie doll. Niina had considered singing and playing guitar for BQB until the then duo discovered Katriina, a powerhouse bassist who made Niina feel more than comfortable enough to get behind the drum set. "We had no rhythm," Niina says.

The trio completed the band's first single, Rodeo Roll, before Kaisa added her own special Barbie flair to the group in 2003. Former vocalist, Terhi, fronted Barbe-Q-Barbies for six months, but left due to creative differences. "Our style didn't fit. She has a new band now," says Niina.

The album was recorded with a voice that needs no introduction in the Finnish music industry. Maria, front woman of Thee Ultra Bimboos, was awesome enough to help our girls out, allowing them to play at area venues.

"We met [Niki] at Travastia last year while we happened to be at the same show. She has her solo career, but decided to join us after a few trainings," Niina explains, "She is perfect for our band."

The only other position holding the band back from cementing permanent membership came about after an unfortunate decision. Bassist Katriina will be leaving the country to pursue her education, and she will be greatly missed. Meanwhile, the remaining four members have potential candidates in mind to fill in Katriina's spot in the line-up -- but on a personal level, no one will fill her shoes. "We still don't want to face the fact that Katriina's leaving," says Niina, after I tell her to send her friend and band mate luck wishes.

The band is considering a woman named Katja for the bassist position, but they currently broke an "unwritten girl-band code", allowing a male friend to fill in the parts on the road. "Our friend Wellu covered a couple of gigs in the summer and probably will also do the next few ones," says Kaisa.

Regardless of who is on stage with them, Niina, Ekkis, and Kaisa worked together from the beginning as the foundation of their stage act, while each girl added and switched out with each line-up change contributed a brand new spice addition to Barbe-Q-Barbies overall flavor. Like your barbeque a little spicy? That's where front woman Niki comes in, topping off BQB in satisfying fashion. The interchanging bass players each add a variety of flavor to the overall sound, and each work in a different way. No matter how you slice 'um, these chicks rock -- period, and as Kaisa describes, they maintain a "full of energy, balls-to-the-wall attitude."

Though Barbe-Q-Barbies has not ventured outside the Finnish borders, there isn't any finite definition of a frequent Barbie show attendee. "The common trait [of people who attend our shows] is that they all like rock 'n' roll. May of them are amazed by the fact that women can play raunchy rock as well as men. It's nice to break those prejudices," says Kaisa.

Fortunately, crowds stay wild within reason, and particularly star-struck fans, smitten with Barbe-Q-Barbies style, come backstage to greet the girls after the shows. The band returns love to their fans they remember -- same people appearing again and again. "They are more like friends," says Kaisa, "We also have this guy we call 'Chocolate Man' who comes to nearly every gig, brings us lots of chocolate, and goes absolutely nuts in the front row. We love him." At 6. Linja, Barbe-Q-Barbies fans have been known to stage dive, and men's boxer shorts have showered the stage at Semifinal, which Kaisa describes both as "nice places to play in." The Virgin Oil Company, host of two BQB gigs last month, is "one of the best places for gigs in Helsinki."

Barbe-Q-Barbies will be playing the Semifinal in Helsinki on September 7th with Branded Women.

The band would like to extend "greetings, hugs, and kisses" to current and potential fans of the truly crowd shaking rock 'n' roll that they call their own. They're explosion of hard driven hot musicianship has already made a huge mark on the Helsinki music scene, and regardless of little set backs, these woman will always be rockin' it out. "[We'll be] playing in big stadiums and rockin' our asses off. . .we're an energetic experience you don't want to miss!" says Kaisa. Darn right, girl!