March 28-April 3, 2002

music

Girls' Town

SUGAR BABES: Lisa Cohen, Sara Sherr, Maria Tessa Sciarrino and M.J. Fine -- and soundguy Gordon Walker -- at the Balcony. : Michael T. Regan

Sugar Town celebrates one year of women who rock.

by Patrick Rapa

The women of Sugar Town looked at the state of music in this city and decided the numbers just didn’t add up. How was it that roughly half the population was female but every rock band they saw was predominantly male? As M.J. Fine, one of Sugar Town’s founding foursome, observes, “There are always lots of women at shows, [but] there are way more men on the stage.”

"Every new scene that's come up has been very boy-oriented," says co-founder Sara Sherr. Take the recent mod resurgence: "I initially really liked the energy of that scene, I liked the whole fashion thing, but women were again taking a back seat -- just as they did in the '60s, in the scene they were trying to emulate."

Sherr, Fine and cohorts Lisa Cohen and Maria Tessa Sciarrino decided to do something about balancing things out, starting up the Sugar Town monthly showcase to aim the spotlight on women musicians and singers. One year later (well, technically 15 months later) Sugar Town -- named after the Nancy Sinatra tune about a sunny, trouble-free place -- has become a popular forum for bands and artists seeking a supportive environment and like-minded performers with whom to share a stage.

The Sugar Towners are go-go-boots deep in the local music scene. Sherr is a music writer for the Daily News, and, since 1993, has worked for just about every Philly publication with a music section. Fine's name, of course, will be familiar to anyone who reads City Paper's music coverage regularly. Sciarrino is a graphic artist -- she designs the stylish Sugar Town posters -- and a DJ on Princeton's WPRB. Cohen's regular gig involves booking Sugar Town's home base the Balcony and fronting the metal band Lisa Christ Superstar.

"I had gotten to the point where, instead of commenting on the action, I wanted to be a part of it in some way," says Sherr. "It's been like an extension of my writing, where I've been championing female bands, and now I get to actually give them a place to play."

Between performances at Sugar Town shows, all four spin records by their favorite female artists, from Paula Abdul to obscure defunct bands like Liliput. For every gig, Sherr loads up her blue flowered suitcase full of gems from her High Fidelity-size record collection.

Part of Sugar Town's mission has been to correct the stereotypes and misrepresentations about women in music. "People think that 'cause you're the girl in the band you have to be the singer, or that you suck," says Cohen, who's been playing guitar in one local band or another for years.

"I hope that one day Sugar Town does more than just inspire, but mobilize the ladies to pick up an instrument, or two, or three," says Sciarrino. "It's so important for girls to be in bands, not just for the sake of å in the scene,' but because we bring another view to the creation of music."

Indeed, Sugar Town has more on its mind than just putting on rock shows. "I wanted there to be a sort of depth to what's going on," says Sherr, explaining the presence of Riot Grrrl Philly activists who set up a table in the back of the Balcony with pamphlets about rape, self-defense and feminist causes. "At the same time, if you want to just go there and drink a beer, that's fine too."

The monthly showcase of mostly eclectic bills has had its share of high moments: a dazzling, energetic performance by New Yorkers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; local punks the Minx making their debut; somebody from the Demolition Dollrods taking the stage in nothing but candy-button paper. Low points include some large man stealing punk diva Ari Up's pizza and raunchy NYC band Fuckbomb working vomiting into their stage show.

For their belated anniversary gig this Saturday, the Sugar Towners are presenting Jenny Toomey, who helped set the DIY example in punk-pop group Tsunami and indie rock label Simple Machines. Now a solo artist with a melodic, orchestral double-CD debut -- the cover of which was designed by Sciarrino, incidentally -- Toomey continues to fight for independent artists' rights through her Future of Music Coalition. She'll drag her cellist to town for an intimate, stripped down set.

Three local bands round out the bill: The Dirty Triplets (a four-piece featuring Kara Lafty of Sonny Sixkiller and The Jane Anchor and singer-songwriter Nancy Falkow), loud powerhouse Lisa Christ Superstar and Ken, a straight-up rock 'n' roll band that features Toomey's old Tsunami and Machines partner, Kristin Thomson. Fans are expecting an onstage reunion of sorts, with the two bandmates who have always insisted they were only on extended hiatus.

Sugar Town is the ideal setting for such impromptu collaborations and experiments. "There's just a different energy in the room," says Sherr. "I don't know if it's a woman thing or... that we're just attracted to really nice people."

Sugar Town First Year Anniversary, Sat., March 30, 9:30 p.m., $8, with Ken, Jenny Toomey, Dirty Triplets and Lisa Christ Superstar, The Balcony, 10th and Arch sts., 215-922-LIVE, www.plainparade.org/sugartown.

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