The Pussywillows were a group that featured Elinor Blake, Lisa Dembling and Lisa Jenio. Their recordings have appeared on the Kill the Moonlight soundtrack, and the Rutles Highway Revisited album.
Background The Pussywillows were originally from New York City. It consisted of three friends—Elinor Blake, Lisa Dembling and Lisa Jenio—who liked singing together girl-group style.SPIN, November 1993 - Page 30 Pop tart, April March gets her Ye' Ye' OutMystery Island Publications, 08.01.07 - april march interview by lucy hell With a singing style like that of 1960s groups such as The Shangri-Las and The Ronettes, they would sing on stage wearing thrift-store dresses.The New York Times, January 18, 1991 - POP/JAZZ; Delta Blues and Girl Groups In 2 New Incarnations By KAREN SCHOEMER The group originally had some help in its formation by Mike Chandler of the group Raunch Hands. Through Todd Abramson of the Telstar label they got some gigs, which led to them recording Spring Fever!, released on Telstar.New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB, By Steven Blush - Page 304Discogs - The Pussywillows – Spring Fever! The tracks on the album were, "The Boat That I Row", "Come On Now", "Don't Say He's Gone", "Turn Her Down", "Everyone Will Know", "My Baby Looks But He Don't Touch" and "Baby Baby (I Still Love You)".BestEverAlbums.com - Spring Fever! (album) by The Pussywillows With "The Boat That I Row", the song was written by Neil Diamond and became a hit for Lulu.The Forward, October 23, 2014 - Culture» Neil Diamond's 32nd Album Is His Best in 40 Years By Dan EpsteinBrit Girls of the Sixties Volume Three: Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw & Lulu, By David Bret - - Another song they covered was "Turn Her Down". It was recorded by girl group The Cupons in the 1960s and released on the Impact label.WFMU - Fringe Factory with DJ Vikki V: Playlist from November 11, 2015FreeMusicLib - The PussywillowsPopsike - Great 1964 Girl Group 45 CUPONS Turn Her Down IMPACT
The group also did some recordings with Raunch Hands.Mystery Island Publications, 08.01.07 - april march interview by lucy hell A big fan of the group was Ronnie Spector who would one day have them backing her on a set of recordings.Yé-Yé Girls of '60s French Pop, By Jean-Emmanuel Deluxe - - Billboard, October 25, 2003 - Page 52 Retail, The Indies By Chris Morris
Appearances In December 1990, they played at the Funhouse in Bethlehem covering songs like Neil Diamond's "The Boat That I Row" and "My Baby Looks But He Don't Touch".The Morning Call, December 15, 1990 - PUSSYWILLOWS HAVE FUN AT THE FUNHOUSE BY MELANIE NOVAK In January 1991 with their backing band, which included guitarist Ward Dotson on guitar, Will Rigby on drums and Spike Priggen on bass, they played at the CBGB club in Bleecker Street, Manhattan.The New York Times, January 18, 1991 - POP/JAZZ; Delta Blues and Girl Groups In 2 New Incarnations By KAREN SCHOEMER
Later years Blake moved to LA and by 1991 was using the name April March.CMJ New Music Monthly, January 1999 - Page 20 on the verge, april marchNew York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB, By Steven Blush - Page 304 Lisa Jenio became a member of and bass player for Candypants and The Liquor Giants.Billboard, October 29, 1994 - Page 72 to 73 Retail, House Of Punk/Flipside Set Un- Masques Legendary Club by Chris Morris
The Pussywillows contributed background vocals to Ronnie Spector's 2003 album Something's Gonna Happen.Billboard, October 25, 2003 - Page 52 Preservation Hall Label To Serve Up Jazz History - By Chris Morris They sang on "Communication", "For His Love", "Something's Gonna Happen" and "Whenever You're On My Mind" which were all Marshall Crenshaw compositions.Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life as a Fabulous Ronnette, By Ronnie Spector, Vince Waldron - 1989
Discography + Albums Title Release info Year Notes # Spring Fever! Telstar Records TR003 1988 Discogs - The Pussywillows – Spring Fever!AllMusic - The Pussywillows, Spring Fever!
+ Guest Artist Release Title Release info Year Notes # Ronnie Spector Something's Gonna Happen Bad Girl Sounds 10 2003 CDBillboard, October 25, 2003 - Page 52 Preservation Hall Label To Serve Up Jazz History - By Chris MorrisAllMusic - Ronnie Spector, Something's Gonna Happen
+ Various artists compilation appearances Title Release info Year Song title Notes # Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them Gasatanka Records / Positive Music 6036 1990 "Twist Barbie" AllMusic - Various Artists, Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them, ReleasesAllMusic - Various Artists, Every Band Has a Shonen Knife Who Loves Them, Credits Rutles Highway Revisited (A Tribute To The Rutles) Shimmy Disc shimmy-041 1990 "Hold My Hand" Discogs - Various – Rutles Highway Revisited (A Tribute to the Rutles) Attack Of The Terrible Boots Mint Sound MSRCD4 1997 "Turn Her Down" Discogs - Various – Attack Of The Terrible Boots Kill the Moonlight Sympathy For The Record Industry 482 1997 "Vindaloo" CDAllMusic - Various Artists, Kill the Moonlight, OverviewAllMusic - Various Artists, Kill the Moonlight, Releases
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