Joanna Gruesome
1:20pm, Orange StageTwo promising albums followed by the untimely departure of a beloved frontlady (Alanna McArdle) is where Welsh punk act Joanna Gruesome found itself this past summer. Born from both pop and hardcore, they’ve filled the void with two new vocalists (Kate Stonestreet and Roxy Brennan), according to guitarist Owen Williams.
Austin Chronicle: Adding two new band members has the potential to really affect the group’s sound.
Owen Williams: I wouldn’t say the sound has changed dramatically. I suppose it’s more like table tennis now, with aggressive and melodic lines emanating from different points of the stage.
AC: How did you go about finding new singers, and did it radically affect the group dynamic?
OW: We met them both in an occult bookshop, so that’s affected the group dynamic in the sense that there’s more of an emphasis on psychic attack and regular séance breaks. It feels crowded onstage, but I quite like that. We’ve been told that we, as a band, have a particularly ridiculous set of hairstyles and the advantage of there being six of us means we can effectively combat anyone who takes issue with that.
AC: What’s the best part of being in Joanna Gruesome, and on the other end, what do you hope fans are taking away from the band?
OW: The perks are numerous, but I suppose making the records and receiving free pots of hummus and carrot sticks at shows would top the list. It’s also been fun observing how the effects of espionage, radical politics, and the occult can take their toll on a Welsh rock group. I hope anyone who listens to our music enjoys it on public transport.
This article appears in November 6 • 2015.