Here you go, two random records plucked from my shelves just as I plucked them both from the shelves of Crash Records in Leeds on 30 July 1993, 20 years ago – I feel older than i did 31 words ago! Anyway, mid-life crisis aside, the 12″s concerned are Die Cheerleader Saturation and 69 Hayloft Action. I bought them for two reasons a) because one of the B-sides of Saturation was a track called (ahem), ‘Act Like A Dumbshit And They’ll Treat You LIke An Equal’* which appealed equally to my sensitive feminist side and my love of swearing b) I thought vocalist Sam Ireland was a bit Phwoarr! and c) the cover of 69 Hayloft Action featured a mirrored picture of a man biting a dead pig with the number ’69’ stencilled on the side. What’s not to like?
Now memory may play me false but the whole Riot Grrrl thang was sweeping, if not the high streets, then the chattering music press at that time and whilst I got seriously into Bikini Kill later, I found it all a bit tuneless and indie at the time. I was with the Manic Street Preachers on this point, why have a really important message for society and then wrap it up in a musical pie-crust that few would bother to break, surely when you have something that important to impart you want to reach the biggest audience possible? anyway, this was my entry point. Die Cheerleader played the sort of dead heavy indie rock, which was just short of, as I saw it, proper rock/metal.
Now I need to ‘fess up a bit here, as I’m told young folk say these days, I have only played these records about twice before in my life. Basically, whilst I admire the pluck, we’re a bit light on the old tune front. ‘Saturation’, ‘Massive Tangled Muscle’** and ‘Christ With Teeth’, all pass by without leaving too much of an impression, then and now. I’m sorry about that too, I wanted them to be a bit of a neglected gem, something i could suddenly jump up and say ‘I get it – now how about a revival!! Anyone want to buy original copies of the 12″s’?!. The better tracks here to my mind are ‘Disease or Accident’ (Old bullshit and old clichés / Has life really taught you nothing?) and ‘Smothered’ (both from 69 Hayloft Action), there’s a, marginally, lighter touch about them, a bit more bass action by Debbie Quargnolo and a bit more light and shade than the rest.
Unfortunately though, that’s that. The best thing about these records is still the magnificent title of ‘Act Like A Dumbshit And They’ll Treat You LIke An Equal’, which just like the self-help book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, all you need is in the genius title. The message is great, the music less so, unfortunately.
Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing bad here, just not quite enough good.
But don’t take my word for it, here’s a fan site lovingly maintained by those who really care about Die Cheerleader and that makes me happy that all these years later someone does.
247 Down.
P.S – Fotoroom is messing me about since recent upgrade, so these photos are unedited and ‘live’ – Grrr! I’m very patient with people, but have no patience AT ALL with tech when it doesn’t do what it should do. IMMEDIATELY !!!
*Hence ALADATTYLAE. Second only to the Wildhearts’ ‘Shut Your Fucking Mouth And Use Your Fucking Brain’, in my opinion.
**Rollins used to hang around the band a lot, I remember.
Oh no! So many of your posts have been in praise of stuff I loved back in the day and continue to love now (Queen, Planet Claire, Ramones, Buzzcocks, New York, Judas Priest) and you’ve championed albums in stellar discographies that critics hold in lesser regard that really chimed with me as well (1916, Henry’s Dream, Live Killers) that there was a bit of choking on the morning cuppa when I read you’re not so keen on the beloved (to me) Die Cheerleader, whose ‘Filth by Association’ album was a real high of ’93 and I still play a lot. I know, I’m over 10 years late to the discussion but there’s never a wrong time to leap to defend fair maids (and drummer man), is there…up to a point. And after another cup of tea.
I do get what you’re saying about their songwriting, but they’re much better heard on ‘Filth by Association’, which compiled these two 12″s with the 4 track ‘DC EP’ which to these ears holds their best songs – “Remember Zelda” which has an absolute powerhouse performance from Sam Ireland, and “E.C.T.” which starts with Ms. Ireland intoning “touch me and I will kill you / that’s what I’ll do” in very calm, menacing tones. The album also includes their wonderful assault on “Somebody to Love” which they cheekily retitle “Washington DC”. It’s well sequenced, it doesn’t follow the order on the EPs, so presents their music much better. If anyone comes back to read this, I’d urge giving the album a go, seriously.
There, defence done. I know I’m not very objective, guitarist Rita was a bit of crush and I’m a sucker for heavy indie rock that plays on the border of metal and punk, especially with a female singer in the mix. Actually, the way Sam Ireland sung, with those clear sustained notes without screaming or growling, reminded me a bit of Bruce Dickinson, stylistically rather than sound-wise. Sam “Air Raid Siren” Ireland? It could have been a thing! And to be fair they did seem to run out of material. Compiling the EPs so quickly felt like a stopgap, and then six of the ten songs on “Son of Filth”, the album they did when Rollins was championing them, were re-recordings or remixes from the EPs.
They always stayed pretty small, and seemed pretty much out on their own. Your take on them as riot grrl adjacent is really interesting, I don’t remember them being bracketed in with Huggy Bear, Voodoo Queens, Skinned Teen et al, maybe because of that hard metallic edge and clear playing ability. Funny though, I’ve heard a few bands in the last few years describe themselves as riot grrl who sound much more in DC’s vein, e.g. Grim Dylan, Hands Off Gretel. Maybe DC were ahead of their time after all, but you’re right, they do sound very of ’93.
Thanks for allowing the ramblings – one final thing the world needs to know. On their merch stall you could get Die Cheerleader-branded female underwear and condoms. That’s gotta rank alongside limited edition vinyl, surely?
Oh dear, one day historians will tell of the night of the Tim P/1537 breach and trace the inevitable apocalypse back to this very moment. True story.
I’d have to listen again, it’s a long time since I played them and I had no live or later context for them.
I loved Voodoo Queens and I did see them (Leeds Duchess of York? Possibly). I wonder if DC had more in common with the later likes of Blessed Ethel and SMASH?
Anyway, you’re banned from 1537 for 5 minutes for the crime of independent thought! Please learn your lesson (while I add their later stuff to my Discogs want list)
Thank you for a lenient sentence, blogjudge your honour, I will spend my exile wisely and sit in my cell listening to White Hills, Uncle Sam, Malian music, Mugstar and other excellent things I’ve found through your blog, thinking about what I’ve done…
It sounds very Smashing Pumpkins circa Gish. 1993…that would make sense. I don’t remember this band(for a reason?). I think I would’ve dug them in 1993 for sure. The girl puts me in mind of a female Kory Clarke(Warrior Soul).
I just think they stayed pretty small, I remember reading a good interview and my love of swearing did the rest.
They sound like 1993 to me – and I mean no insult to them by that.
The guy biting the pig. I like it. Looks like a Ministry album cover.
Cool video but like David I’m not going to rush right out and buy it.
I wouldn’t twice.
I kind of like it. Not enough to buy it, but back then? Definitely!
How do you pronounce the band name? Is it a threat on a cheerleader’s life or just a half German name meaning The Cheerleader?
Definitely a play on words, overall we’re talking ‘definite article’ Cheerleader.
I do like swearing!