Femme Fatale
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Femme Fatale
Photograph courtesy: Tamworth Herald
The Gallery |
Musical Genre/type: Indie
Formed: 1985
Debbie Witty : Lead Vocals
Mark Poyner : Guitar
Nigel Horton : Keyboards
Jim Goodman : Drums
Martin Higgs : Bass
12/07/85
Femme Fatale
Love On Board
Tamworth Arts Centre
20/07/85
Femme Fatale
Certain Circles
Tamworth Arts Centre
07/09/85
Ao Terroa
Femme Fatale
Tamworth Arts Centre
Tamworth Herald – 12/07/85
AN exciting new alternative band, who list influences as varied as Siouxsie, The Cult, Sisters of Mercy and The Stranglers, will make their eagerly-awaited Tamworth debut tonight.
Femme Fatale, who say they appeal to the blacker side of alternative music, will hit the Arts Centre stage with a 60-minute show which looks like being a hit with the scores of local people who have been patiently waiting for a new spark of individualism.
The band refuse to be tied down to any particular sound but their own personal musical taste implies that they could appeal to a wide cross-section of modern music lovers.
“We all like basically like the same sort of music although we all have different tastes. We like everything from psycho-billy to punk and people who have listened to us have said that we have touches of The Cult and Sisters of Mercy,” said singer Debbie Witty.
Sexism
Debbie’s presence will undoubtedly prove one of the most interesting facets of Femme Fatale. Tamworth seems to have taken up the national trend of sexism in music to the extent that a couple of drummers apart, locally females tend to be in the audience rather than on the stage.
Debbie is the first female rock singer in Tamworth for many years and she is aware that this will bring its own problems. “I sometimes think the only reason the band want me in is because I am a woman,” she jokes. “And I guess because I am female, people will automatically assume we are like Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Cocteau Twins.”
Well, the band are influenced by these two acts, but it seems that between them they are influenced by virtually every decent post-77 band. Guitarist Mark Poyner was one of Tamworth’s earliest punks but he now cringes at the mention of his ‘Sid Vicious’ nickname and doesn’t seem to embrace anarchy with his former tenderness.
Keyboard player Nigel Horton is also very much a visual attraction combining his love of dressing up and looking good with a love for music like The Cult.
According to the rest of the band, Nigel is sponsored by ‘Avon’, but it is refreshing to see someone prepared to indulge in a little showmanship and invention.
Drummer Jim Goodman also enjoys psycho-billy side of life and happily enjoys the title ‘flat-top’ whilst bassist Martin Higgs is a man to be respected and adulated as a good clean living Stranglers fan who has tried to bring a touch of The Meninblack to the group’s overall sound.
“This is just the first step really but we hope people are going to like what we can offer now,” said Debbie.
Joining the band tonight will be Love On Board who have established almost a residency at the Arts Centre. The group who have probably spent more time at the venue recently than its administrator, will be hoping to impress the curious who turn up for Femme Fatale with their own brand of energetic modern pop.
Combining a set of oldies and newies, Nick, John, Neil and ‘The Phillipono’ will be hoping to make it a double-bill to remember.
But as tonight is really Femme Fatale’s night , let’s leave the last word to them. Do they see themselves as Tamworth’s top alternative banner-wavers?
“What is ‘alternative?’ If it means we are different, then yes we are, and we expect that it will mainly be punks and cult fans who like us,” said Martin. “But we think everyone will find something interesting about us and it is up to people to come and make up their own minds.”
STOP PRESS: New Tamworth band ‘Another Promise’ and ‘Love on Board’ will be playing a special free concert at Tamworth Arts Centre on Sunday night.
Tamworth Herald – 22/03/85
Femme Fatale, a new alternative band influenced by everyone from Killing Joke ad The Cult to the Stranglers and Siouxsie and the Banshees, are on the lookout for a guitarist. The band who formed out of the wreckage of the Black Market, aim to be Tamworth’s only tru alternative band and they have set a date in June for their launch on the town.
They are looking for someone who is dedicated, and willing to work hard to get the band ready. If you want more details the people to contact are Martin Higgs or ‘Batman’.
Tamworth Herald – 12/07/85
AN exciting new alternative band, who list influences as varied as Siouxsie, The Cult, Sisters of Mercy and The Stranglers, will make their eagerly-awaited Tamworth debut tonight.
Femme Fatale, who say they appeal to the blacker side of alternative music, will hit the Arts Centre stage with a 60-minute show which looks like being a hit with the scores of local people who have been patiently waiting for a new spark of individualism.
The band refuse to be tied down to any particular sound but their own personal musical taste implies that they could appeal to a wide cross-section of modern music lovers.
“We all like basically like the same sort of music although we all have different tastes. We like everything from psycho-billy to punk and people who have listened to us have said that we have touches of The Cult and Sisters of Mercy,” said singer Debbie Witty.
Sexism
Debbie’s presence will undoubtedly prove one of the most interesting facets of Femme Fatale. Tamworth seems to have taken up the national trend of sexism in music to the extent that a couple of drummers apart, locally females tend to be in the audience rather than on the stage.
Debbie is the first female rock singer in Tamworth for many years and she is aware that this will bring its own problems. “I sometimes think the only reason the band want me in is because I am a woman,” she jokes. “And I guess because I am female, people will automatically assume we are like Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Cocteau Twins.”
Well, the band are influenced by these two acts, but it seems that between them they are influenced by virtually every decent post-77 band. Guitarist Mark Poyner was one of Tamworth’s earliest pinks but he now cringes at the mention of his ‘Sid Vicious’ nickname and doesn’t seem to embrace anarchy with his former tenderness.
Keyboard player Nigel Horton is also very much a visual attraction combining his love of dressing up and looking good with a love for music like The Cult.
According to the rest of the band, Nigel is sponsored by ‘Avon’, but it is refreshing to see someone prepared to indulge in a little showmanship and invention.
Drummer Jim Goodman also enjoys psycho-billy side of life and happily enjoys the title ‘flat-top’ whilst bassist Martin Higgs is a man to be respected and adulated as a good clean living Stranglers fan who has tried to bring a touch of The Meninblack to the group’s overall sound.
“This is just the first step really but we hope people are going to like what we can offer now,” said Debbie.
Joining the band tonight will be Love On Board who have established almost a residency at the Arts Centre. The group who have probably spent more time at the venue recently than its administrator, will be hoping to impress the curious who turn up for Femme Fatale with their own brand of energetic modern pop.
Combining a set of oldies and newies, Nick, John, Neil and ‘The Phillipono’ will be hoping to make it a double-bill to remember.
But as tonight is really Femme Fatale’s night , let’s leave the last word to them. Do they see themselves as Tamworth’s top alternative banner-wavers?
“What is ‘alternative?’ If it means we are different, then yes we are, and we expect that it will mainly be punks and cult fans who like us,” said Martin. “But we think everyone will find something interesting about us and it is up to people to come and make up their own minds.”
STOP PRESS: New Tamworth band ‘Another Promise’ and ‘Love on Board’ will be playing a special free concert at Tamworth Arts Centre on Sunday night.
Tamworth Herald – 19/07/85
Femme Fatale – Tamworth Arts Centre
THE ARTS CENTRE as full. Everyone was buzzing with keen anticipation for the first Tamworth show by Femme fatale. Everyone that is, except Femme Fatale. To say they were nervous was an understatement – their fears seemed to border on terror.
They were worried about playing a bad show and losing a potentially large audience for ever. They were worried about accepting such a high profile in their very first show and they were worried that people wouldn’t like what they served up.
Well they shouldn’t have worried on any of those counts. As a concert in itself it was very impressive, and as a debut show it was quite remarkable.
There were a few problems – not least Nigel Horton’s keyboards becoming ‘Bolshie’ and refusing to work – but there was so much good about Femme fatale that I can’t help but feel positive about their future.
The most impressive thing of all was the skill of their musicianship. None of the band members are particularly experienced – but they all played as if they were. The main talking point was obviously Debbie Witty’s voice which was very strong indeed.
She carried the vocals with confidence and style, drawing complimentary comparisons with Siouxsie Sioux. In fact the Banshees were stamped all over the music and there is no doubt that of all their many influences, it is the Hong Kong Gardenites who are nearest to Femme Fatale’s sound.
Guitarist Mark Poyner is another person who obviously plays “The Scream” a lot and his work was always interesting – and occasionally inspired.
Several other guitarists told me how impressed they were with Mark and there is no greater compliment than to earn the praise of your peers.
Tribalistic
Drummer Jimmy also turned in a faultless performance, hitting out a series of tribalistic drumbeats with a natural and very consistent sense of rhythm. Finally, Martin Higgs gave a sterling show on the bass, looking – and playing – nearer to his hero JJ Burnel than anyone else I have seen in the town.
The main problems with the band as a whole however, was that despite playing well and serving up a host of strong songs, they were visually disappointing.
Some of the songs are so clearly danceable that if the band swayed around a bit to them, it may have encouraged the audience to do likewise. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting down to music that SHOULD be dance to, but when the band don’t lead you in that dance, it tends to dampen your ‘get up and go.
Still, that apart, there were strong and well-structured and they also handled a couple of cover versions (The Cure’s ‘A Forest’ was tremendous) with a touch of real class.
They were refreshing and enjoyable to listen to and judging by the amount of smiles underneath the spikes of the audience, it seems they have captured the hearts of a much-neglected audience in Tamworth.
If they can just spruce up their stage show, somewhat, there is no reason why they can’t be one of the brightest – and most – original – bands in the area.
Tamworth has been waiting for a band like Femme Fatale for a long time – and now we have got them, we should enjoy them while we can.
S.H.
Tamworth Herald – 19/07/85
JUST a quick guide to the gigs you can watch this week-end…tonight, Femme Fatale make their second Tamworth appearance when they join the band Certain Circles at the Arts Centre.
Certain Circles play entertaining pop with a touch of Simple Minds and they already have a single to their credit. A very promising looking show indeed. Then, 24 hours later, the Arts Centre is the place for the heavy rock of the experienced Hard Road, a band who have their own brand of pulsating, powerful rock and will boast a very interesting support act.
On the subject of rock, if you fancy a trip out of town tonight, why not join Wolfsbane on a coach trip to The Coach and Horses in Castle Bromwich. The £2 fee includes entrance and an exciting show is assured. Contact band members or Brian.
Tamworth Herald – 27/09/85
THE PARTY political conference season may be in full swing, but more unusually Tamworth hosts two party political concerts!
For the Arts Centre is staging a tremendous three-band line-up under the Rock Against The Dole banner, organised and funded by the Tamworth Borough Labour Party.
And just up the road on the same night, Femme Fatale will be joining rock and roll eccentrics Jet Morgan and the Phantoms in a St. John’s Hall show in aid of the Ecology Party.
Both concerts look like being very entertaining but according to a MUISCBOX opinion poll, Labour has a slight percentage lead over the Ecology Party. The reason is that they have Breaking Point, The Royal Family and Love On Board rocking on their behalf.
The Royal Family, who have started to make a name for themselves out of town, bring their inspired lunacy to the Arts Centre at a time when interest in the group is at a new peak. And with love On Board, bringing their bubbling cocktail of talent and enthusiasm to the show it promises to be a night for literally rocking against the blues.
Up the road at the same time, you can rock for the greens with Femme Fatale’s black melancholy sound providing the perfect foil for the rock and roll extravaganza that Jet Morgan and the Phantoms serve up.
Tamworth Herald – 08/11/85
 THE final details about Tamworth’s exciting 12-hour musical marathon for Ethiopia have just been released.
The show on Saturday December 21, will feature among others, The Dream Factory, Wolfsbane, Breaking Point, The Royal Family, The Sway and Femme Fatale.
It will also include the first – and probably the last – live appearance pf ‘TamAid’ and as a whole it promises to be a night which musicians and spectators alike will not forget.
“This is our way of saying thank-you to Bob Geldof, all the artists involved in Band Aid and relief agencies all round the world who are trying their best to stamp out poverty,” said crusading organiser Ian Gibbons.
As many of you may know, the show which can virtually be seen as a festival, is the centre of a nationwide ‘Live Aid’ bonanza which promises to raise thousands of pounds.
On the same night as the Tamworth show, there will be similar gigs all round Britain with around 30 or 40 other towns expected to take part. As an example Leatherhead this week sold out ALL of its 2,000 £8.50 tickets showing just how the idea has caught on nationally.
“Everything is going very well but we must make sure Tamworth which started the whole thing off, id the best of all,” enthused Ian. “It is going to be a brilliant night.”
The show has been given the full support of Band Aid – who have said they will try and fix a rock VIP to visit the town on the day to give the campaign a boost.
Also on the same day, the Ethiopian Committee are calling on all nightclubs, working men’s clubs and a multitude of other organisations to join in a day of action for Ethiopia. Whatever happens it is going to be a night where a lot of money is going to be made for famine victims, and a night when Tamworth can hold its head up high.”
“I am sure we will sell all our tickets in Tamworth, and as it is just £2 for the whole twelve hour show I am sure people will take part in raffles and put money in buckets,” said Ian.
For that meagre £2, people can enjoy the spectacle of not only six brilliant rock bands but also the more diverse sounds of The Banned Wagon and The Trout Brothers. In addition there will be lots of good disco courtesy of Beuwey and the much-loved Buttercup and raffles, speeches and numerous other sidelines.
The doors open on the event at 11.30am and musically it gets off to the most powerful start with Wolfsbane at 1pm. The Banned Wagon appear an hour later, Femme Fatale are set for 3.30pm and then The Trout Brothers hit the stage at 5pm. At 6.30 Breaking point step out to do their passionate parade, and an hour later Rikk Quay and the boys are up on stage. The Dream Factory are due on at around 8.45 and then The Royal Family get into the swing of things at about 10.15, ‘Tam Aid’ are expected to hit the stage after 11.30 to round off a day that already looks exhausting just thinking about it!
Tickets should be available soon from Tamworth Ethiopia Committee members or members of the individual groups. They are expected to sell out quickly so be warned. It is a night which you simply cannot date to miss.
Tamworth Herald – 20/12/85
Tonight we have the excellent Terroa lining up with alternative poet Joolz at the Arts Centre and then tomorrow night at the Assembly Rooms, we have probably the greatest local gig ever seen in Tamworth.
The Dream Factory, Royal Family, Breaking Point, Wolfsbane, The Sway and many more will present a 12-hour Christmas present for the town’s rock fans and the silent millions such concerts are designed to help.
The doors open at 11.30am and after a nice session with that most impressive of DJs Buttercup, it is straight onto Wolfsbane at 1pm.
After the marvellous slice of ear-bashing, there is more disco and then it is the turn of the Banned Wagon to do their bit for charity and musical culture.
Femme Fatale hit the stage at 3.30pm to be followed by the DJ with impeccable taste Beuwey and then it is time for Trout Brothers. By now it will be time for Breaking Point…The Sway…The Dream Factory…The Royal Family.
During the day there is the possibility of a few star guests, new bands, raffles, competitions and fun by the literal bucketful.
Tickets for the event are a mere £2 and that entitles you to come and go as you please – although it would be better if you stayed of course!
It looks like being the best day of the year for the areas music scene, and one which will show that for thousands of people up and down the country the Ethiopia tragedy is still very much on our minds.
On a personal note. I would like to express a vote of thanks to everyone – especially Ian – who has helped to arrange this marvellous weekend.
If you have any further information about this band please email: info@tamworthbands.com |
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