The one on the far left <3
Meanstreak were a kickass all-girl 80's thrash band from New York. In their decade long career, they released one full-length masterpiece in 1988, called "Roadkill". If you can find this album, get it. I don't care who you are or what kind of music you like, get it. Pirate it, steal it, buy it, it's all good. Let's put on a tune from the album as we go through this article:
This relatively soft song displays the truly awesome vocal abilities of the lead vocalist Bettina France. This woman can scream her lungs out, and completely nails the higher notes, unlike a few other thrash bands like Flotsam & Jetsam. Guitarists Marlene Apuzzo and Rena Sands soulfully shred like there's no tomorrow. With Lisa Pace on bass and Yael Devan on drums, this band has more balls than all of glam metal combined. They're more metal than the new Morbid Angel. I now want to have a sex change and start an all-girl Meanstreak tribute band. That's how good Meanstreak is. I feel like they're a combination of early Judas Priest and Metallica, but that's an unfair comparison because these girls are so goddamn original.
This relatively soft song displays the truly awesome vocal abilities of the lead vocalist Bettina France. This woman can scream her lungs out, and completely nails the higher notes, unlike a few other thrash bands like Flotsam & Jetsam. Guitarists Marlene Apuzzo and Rena Sands soulfully shred like there's no tomorrow. With Lisa Pace on bass and Yael Devan on drums, this band has more balls than all of glam metal combined. They're more metal than the new Morbid Angel. I now want to have a sex change and start an all-girl Meanstreak tribute band. That's how good Meanstreak is. I feel like they're a combination of early Judas Priest and Metallica, but that's an unfair comparison because these girls are so goddamn original.
And now for the interesting trivia; 3 members of Meanstreak are married to 3 members associated with Dream Theater. Rena Sands (guitarist) is married to John Petrucci (guitarist). I know what you're thinking; post-coital dueling guitar solo session! And I bet that it has happened. Marlene Apuzzo (guitarist) is married to Mike Portnoy (ex-drummer). And Liza Pace (bassist) is married to John Myung (bassist). I think Meanstreak's Yael Devan got left out because she's a drummer and it's a universally known fact that drummers are fucking weird. Even her name is weird. Look at band picture above again. You see the weird looking chick in the middle? I bet that's Yael Devan.
And so The Malevolent Jester hath decreed.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs for which is Yael Devan in the photo,you are mistaken. I've been a fan of the band since late '80's and even was fortunate enough to have a bit of written communication with one of the band members(yes,received letters back :))and even talked to their manager once on the phone. Yes,I am just a long time fan :). As for your guess,the one in the middle in back,that is Bettina France,the vocalist. Yael is the dark haired one at the bottom right. I'd just like to mention,Rena is the Beautiful one standing to the right as well as Marlene Apuzzo is lower left and Martens Pace(yes,I have seen before,written as Liza)is in the back to the left. I heard/have 2 more demos recorded after that first albums release and I believe Martens P. left the band by the 2nd follow-up demo(on the cassette I recieved from the band,only the four other members of the band are listed on the jacket and I think I read she had left the band).
ReplyDeleteBeen a fan since their albums first release in '88 and heard them on a 1987 record of various artists,'L'AMOUR ROCKS' but always will wish I knew them from when they began in '85.
ReplyDeleteLove that album/band :)
ReplyDeleteby the way,Yael was not the original drummer of the band,that was Diane Keyser(she was on the recording of that album but Yeal joined after initial release). Diane is seen on the pic on the back of the album.
ReplyDeleteYael Devan is bottom right
ReplyDelete