Riot Grrrl by Reed Terry

Survival Of The Feminist - Evolution Of The Riot Girl Scene

Riot Girl (officially known as “Riot Grrrl”) was an underground punk rock movement “of the girls, by the girls, and for the girls,” which was quite a rage among the new generation feminists in the 1990s. It started in 1991 as the voice of women in the male-dominated punk rock scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Not long after, it underwent a metamorphosis and became the harbinger of the so-called third wave feminism.

A Brief Outline Of The Evolution Of The Riot Girl Movement

The band’s popularity grew exponentially in the first four or five years. It began in the West Coast of the USA, spread to the other parts of the country, and then crossed the Atlantic to create waves in the UK. Before the accidental founders of the movement even realized it, this presence had spread to a number of countries including Brazil, Malaysia, and Australia.

However, members of the movement found the widespread media attention too uncomfortable to live with. There were differences of opinion about what paths they should take. The lead figures of the movement were frequently misquoted in the media. In fact, they became exactly the thing they had opposed all along: an object of public curiosity and sexual desire. The pungent sarcasm in their activities, lyrics, and writings failed to open the eyes of a society that is punch-drunk with male dominance.

The Riot Girl movement is still active but has lost the aura it once had. To use a metaphor straight from male-dominated jargon, it is a Lolita who has grown old.

History Of The Movement

Two punk rock bands acted as the pillars in the growth of the movement: Bikini Kill and Bratmobile. Bikini Kill is widely regarded as the first of the riot-girl band. Kathleen Hanna and her friends Kathi Wilcox and Billy Karren started this band as a response to the arrogant dominance of men in the Punk Rock Scene. They focused more on passion and performance than on instrumental perfection. They were amateurs and proud of it. Their songs were about issues that resulted from the perceived inequality of women: rape, physical submission, and the portrayal of women as sexual objects.

Their music attracted similarly-minded girls, and subsequently paved way for the International Pop Underground Convention in 1991, at Olympia Washington. It was then that Bratmobile and other similar bands joined the fray, and many other functions occurred later. These meetings triggered a do-it-yourself (DIY) frenzy of zine publishing.

Zine is the short form for magazines published informally. Write as much as desired on whatever form of paper available, take photocopies of it, and bundle it all together to create a zine ready and raring to be read.

These zines were memorably and provokingly titled, such as 7-year bitches, CWA (short form for Cunts with Attitude), the Phantom Pregnancies, and Pussycat Trash. Through these zines, the Riot Girls projected themselves as feminists, but not man-haters. They were sick of a world run by males and wanted a slice of the power pie.

The Riot Girl movement didn’t sustain its initial momentum. Internal conflicts came into the fore, and media attention and the rough attitude of male audiences proved stumbling blocks in the path of progress. It never achieved the girl revolution its founders had hoped for, but it remains a sparkling phase in the history of feminist movements.

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THE WAIT IS OVER!!!

I'M SADDENED BY THE NEWS THAT MR. MOON WILL BE LEAVING THE STATION. WE'VE BEEN PARTNERS FOR OVER A YEAR AND I APPRECIATE HIS DEDICATION TO KEEP THE STATION RUNNING AND CONSISTENTLY BRINGING NEW INDIE MUSIC TO THE FOREFRONT.

I KNOW THAT MY ABSENCE HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A MYSTERY TO A LOT OF YOU. I CONSTANTLY GET EMAILS LIKE..SCORPIA WHERE YOU AT..LOL! WELL I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT ON TUESDAY NIGHT..CROSS YOUR FINGERS..I WILL BE ON THE AIR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE JULY OF 08. I'M SUPER EXCITED AND ANXIOUS TO HAVE ALL THE WONDERFUL ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COME BACK TO U-N-U! I WILL MAKE IT BIGGER AND BETTER. ALSO, NEW SUBMISSIONS ARE WELCOMED. MY EMAIL BOX IF READY FOR OVERLOAD. SO SEND YOUR SONGS TO DJSCORPIA@UNURADIO.COM.

I'LL BE BRINGING NEW SHOWS AND A WEEKLY PODCAST. HOPEFULLY, I CAN CONDUCT SOME INTERVIEWS THROUGH SKYPE OR IF YOU'RE IN LOS ANGELES AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS I CAN COME TO YOU.

IN THE NEXT YEAR, U-N-U PRODUCTIONS SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING. THE PURPOSE IS TO HOST CONCERTS FOR INDIE ARTISTS AS WELL AS MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL VENTURES. I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN ME ON TUESDAY NIGHT STARTING 8PM PACIFIC TIME.

PEACE AND MUCH LOVE,
DJ SCORPIA
OWNER/STATION MANAGER

Welcome to Nodden!!

Miz Mandy

J-Mac

You can pretty much sum up Nodden’s mission with the line: “I’m sorry cuz tonight we’re gonna make you move.” In April of 2008, through a chance studio meeting, Nodden met dance star Miz Mandy and rapper J. Mac. The three began collaborating together and quickly released their first single “Just Another Night,” in May of 2008 and seemingly overnight it has become the Pacific Beach San Diego anthem. The single’s popularity has secured a performance at the Best Of San Diego Event in August and is currently one of the finalists for the San Diego Magazine “Your Song” competition.

Nodden’s sound incorporates the live band hip hop appeal of the Roots with the pop sensibilities of the Black Eyed Peas and seasons it with the electronic flavor of Paul Van Dyk. After a sold-out release party at The Sandbar (Mission Beach, CA), Nodden, Mandy, J. Mac and their 5 piece live band débuted their newest single on June 9th at the Taylor Made/Adidas Golf US Open Party with opener Josh Kelly (Hollywood Records). Currently, Nodden is in the studio with local star producer Chris Hobson, (Get Back Loretta and Theives and Liars) working on his EP which is due out in August of 2008 through Rhythm Coalition Productions.

Featured Artists:

Singer Miz Mandy (Courtesy of Babylove Records):

Has performed in over 16 countries with shows ranging from private performances for the US Ambassador in Mozambique and intimate crowds at the Belly Up to 65,000-person shows in China. Her 2007 single “In the Mix” reached #37 on the Billboard Charts and remained on the charts for 8 weeks while her recent duet “Shake Shake” with Brazilian Pop star Asis reached #2 in Brazil. Her Music is played by radio stations world-wide and has been spun by Paul Van Dyk, remixed by Friscia, Lamboy of NYC, and DJ Scotty K (Nelly Furtado, Mary J. Blidge)

Rapper J Mac:

Has produced six albums and his artists have toured with everyone from Hurricane Chris to Petey Pablo (Of Lil Jon’s crew). Has performed throughout the Southwest from underground rap-rooms in Utah to premiere venues in Arizona. Has received airplay on various Utah stations (VFX-94, U92.5 and others).

Visit us: myspace.com/Nodden
Please Contact: Laurie at press@nodden.com
Please visit myspace.com/Nodden or MizMandy.com for Hi- Res Images, or contact us at info@nodden.com

Auto Defiance

BiographyAuto Defiance from Nashville, Tennessee is the vision of Bradley Boyer. Writing music without boundaries, Auto Defiance playfully straddles the lines between Alternative Rock, Acoustic Pop and Post Punk. Small events that would mean little to the untrained eye, through Boyer's work are magnified to form a parallel to something greater in life. Inspired by larger than life characters from pop artist Andy Warhol to musical deity's such as Jeff Buckley, Robert Smith, Bono and Morrissey, Auto Defiance fully understands the power of iconography in music.

As a singer/songwriter, Bradley Boyer's unique palette morphs to accommodate the atmosphere of the song and numerous music business insiders have sung his praises. Upon moving to Nashville in 2000, Bradley was approached by industry songwriter Robert Malec who wanted him to co-write four songs for an upcoming Goo Goo Dolls project. Boyer turned it down. Though it never took off, it did introduce him to a slew of licensing opportunities and a number of well respected contacts, which led to on-air interviews, radio airplay and unanimous positive reviews for the independent artist and his already budding career.

Currently hard at work on a debut full length album, Auto Defiance is branching out to collaborative efforts in the pursuit of a new unique sound. Adding electronica elements with synthesizers, and orchestra strings courtesy of Gerald Gardiner and female vocals and violin courtesy of Petra Kelly, Auto Defiance chameleon-like pursuit of grandiose rock music is both endearing and inspiring. Working with five separate producers on the project, Boyer captures the specific feel and personality of each individual song. With a release date for the album set for fall of 2008.

Auto Defiance is clearly an artist to watch in 2008.


E-MAIL: AutoDefiance@yahoo.com

PublisherUnderground Mass Media Music (BMI)

Instrumentation:

Bradley Boyer: Vocals, Acoustic, Electric Guitar
Samantha Cutler: Vocals
Tommy Elms: Electric Guitars, Soundscapes
Bill Bois: Bass Guitar
Brian Dowd: Drums, Percussion

Additional Artists:

Petra Kelly: Vocals, Violin
Gerald Gardiner: Synth, Cello, Orchestra

Discography2007

"Auto Defiance" Self-Titled 5 song EP courtesy SPAT! Records.

2008 "Ghost Inside Your House" Debut Single

I receive a ton of emails per day inquiring about the station and asking can their band be featured. I can't feature everyone on this site. Bradley sent me an email and gave some great compliments on what I'm trying to do here. He asked me to check out his debut single and it's awesome! You can definitely hear the influence of the Cure. It takes me back to those Breakfast Club days. It's definitely worth your ears, so check out their myspace page, you won't be disappointed! - Dj Scorpia www.myspace.com/autodef

Ana Cristina

Born in the tropical cosmopolitan city of Miami, Florida on June 2, 1985, Ana Cristina represents the American and Hispanic bicultural influences where she grew up.

Since a very early age, the Cuban-American singer’s prodigious 5 octave vocal range has opened the doors for her to sing in hundreds of television shows and events. By the time she was 6 years old to the time she was 13, Ana Cristina was asked to appear frequently on shows like Sabado Gigante and The Cristina Show. At the age of 15, Ana Cristina’s big voice and talent caught the attention of executives at Sony International’s Sony Discos label who signed her on the spot, to which she then completed her first Spanish Language self-titled debut “Ana Cristina.”

She worked with Latin music’s biggest producers like, Rudy Perez(Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton) Emilio Estefan (Gloria Estefan, Shakira), Kike Santander ( Christian Castro, Jennifer Lopez), Estefano ( Paulina Rubio,Thalia) , Manny Benito (Chayanne, Olga Tanon)….and more. Her first single, the ballad, “A Un Paso De Mi Amor”, drew attention not only from fans all over, but from the critics alike, who non-arguably agree that Ana Cristina has one of the most gifted voices and talents that the Latin music industry has ever seen. She later sang theme songs for the Telemundo soap opera “Vale Todo” and Televisa and Univision’s soap opera “Vivan los Ninos”, to which she recorded the theme songs and landed in the soundtrack. Ana Cristina’s version of Schubert’s classic “Ave Maria”, produced by Bebu Silvetti, was part of Sony’s Christmas compilation CD which included Jon Secada, Celia Cruz, and others called “Nuestra Navidad.”

Her unique and ample voice was especially recognized nationally in the U.S. when the she was chosen out of a star-studded list of some of the most respected performers in the nation to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” for the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2005. It was a grand honor for Ana Cristina to be a part of such a historical event. She sang an incredibly powerful and crystalline rendition of the country’s anthem before president George W. Bush and thousands of international dignitaries that led to a dramatic standing ovation and garnered media attention worldwide.

In 2006, Ana Cristina was chosen by the Univision Network to sing the promotional theme song for Univision Sports’ 2006 World Cup Germany entitled, “You Can Change the World.”

On October 6, 2006, Ana Cristina was invited to sing in the White House for a private show produced by Emilio Estefan and the organizers at the White House. Also present, besides the President of the United States, was the crowned prince of Spain, Felipe, and other ambassadors to various nations. Ana Cristina was introduced by the President himself before her performance and was set to perform two songs, until the President requested an encore that led to a total of 3 songs.

Ana Cristina’s creative and artistic growth has been completed with her skillfully combined development to compose her own songs with the guitar and piano. The outcome of her ability to manipulate words and improvisational melodies so easily has resulted in her capability to churn out well-crafted dynamic songs that go hand in hand with her commanding stage presence.

Whether it is through the mediums of live performance or in her writing, Ana Cristina is constantly innovating ideas that have evolved into an original musical style that only she can call her own.

Her green-eyed gaze seems to exhibit an intense sense of purpose and worldly inspiration for such a young lady. Ana Cristina has always felt that she was predestined to communicate with people through her beloved art form. Her zealous dedication to her music is sharply evident and one of the many distinct qualities that make her a natural born star. Remember the name, because you’ll never forget the voice…

New Position, New Direction!

U-N-U Radio is getting bigger and better! The submissions have been pouring in and people are really starting to take notice. I appreciate all the talented artists that have contributed their great works. Please keep spreading the word!

I have a new position and it's definitely worth sharing. I'm an A&R Scout for MajorLabelScout.com! I found out this week and I'm so excited about this new opportunity. So thanks for the support. If you need to contact me on a business level, send an email to djscorpia@unuradio.com. You can also contact me through myspace.

Cool Down with Freezepop!

Formed in Boston in the summer of 1999, Freezepop is comprised of band members Liz Enthusiasm (vocalist), the Duke of Pannekoeken (producer/vocalist/programmer), and Sean Drinkwater (synthesizers/programmer/vocalist). Within eight months of forming, Freezepop had released two homemade EPs and started a DIY machine that would become one of their trademarks. Their debut album, 2000’s Freezepop Forever, was released domestically on their own label, Archenemy, as well as licensed in Europe by the Spanish indiepop label Elefant. Several more EPs followed, and in 2004, Freezepop released their sophomore album, Fancy Ultra•Fresh, and toured extensively, playing energetic, fun, and chaotic shows throughout North America and Europe. After nearly eight years of self-releasing their CDs, Freezepop is very excited to be partnering with Cordless Recordings/Rykodisc for the release of their brand new album, Future Future Future Perfect.

While the band has done well on college radio, repeat-charting in the CMJ Top 50, a key factor in Freezepop’s success has been that they have sought out licensing opportunities as an alternate means of getting their music heard. A natural fit on videogame soundtracks, the band saw their following grow through songs in the cult music-based games Frequency and Amplitude, and then increase exponentially after appearing in the massively popular Guitar Hero series, Dance Dance Revolution, and the new MTV Games release Rock Band. Freezepop’s songs are also featured in televsion shows as diverse as Showtime’s drama The L Word, and the PBS childrens’ series Arthur, as well as the Nissan Rogue ad campaign, and an assortment of indie films, extreme sports DVD releases, and websites. Their single "Less Talk More Rokk" was the iTunes #4 dance/electronic song of 2007.

In addition, Freezepop has used the internet as a powerful way to find new fans and stay in touch with the diverse ranks of old-schoolers. Freezepop.com features enough content to keep visitors entertained for hours; the band’s MySpace page is noisy with over 50,000 fans clamoring for more rokk, and is consistently ranked in the Electro Top 10. The page, which is still maintained by the band members themselves (and remains proudly spam-bot free), has racked up more than three million plays in under three years.

I really want to thank Freezepop for sending me the mp3 of " Swimming Pool" and allowing me to feature them. I will be showcasing the bad ass single tomorrow at the top of my live show, so be sure to go to http://www.unuradio.com/ and click on Tune In at 7pm Central!

Make Way for Micah!

I must say that this authentic artist has to be one of the greatest undiscovered talents of the new year! I placed an ad in craigslist requesting submissions from musicians of every genre. In my mailbox was a gift from Drew and I want to really thank him for letting me become one of Micah's loyal supporters. If you like John Mayer with a little Mraz mixed in then your ears are definitely in for a treat!

The soulful voice of Micah is one secret that Rochester, NY can no longer keep to itself. Now, as an undergraduate at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, this 20 year old vocal phenom is ready to give the world the moving voice it has been missing since the early days of Motown.

Through the summer of 2007, he has been non-stop touring the Northeast, and rapidly gaining loyal fans along the way. Performing at venues in Rochester, Buffalo, Toronto, Boston, and New York City, Micah is making a real mark on the singer/songwriter scene. With performances along side Bryan Adams, George Thorogood, and The Kin, Micah has proved his respect within the industry as not only a talented musician, but a flawless live performer.

Micah’s debut four song EP was finished August 2007 at GFI Studios in Rochester, NY. His new studio tracks encompass the energy and professionalism he brings to every live performance. His music has been played on 96.5 WCMF in Rochester, NY, and can be heard frequently on Boston based internet radio station, http://www.bprlive.org/, and now, http://www.unuradio.com/.

You can hear Micah’s newest songs at www.myspace.com/roctrio!
Cheers!

Australian Sensation Missy Higgins

I was so ecstatic when I received the email from this very talented artist. I first heard her music while on meebo.com and I was instantly hooked. My ears opened like the heavens when I heard this authentic music, so I had to contact Warner Bros. in hopes that I would get a response. Well, I did and this is the official bio that was sent to me. Make sure you tune in to my live broadcast on U-N-U Radio at 7pm central tonight to listen to the hit track, " The Wrong Girl!"

Passionate and sincere, Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins is a welcome relief in a music landscape littered with disposable pop. The 23-year-old Melbourne native has enjoyed phenomenal success in her homeland, and a growing fanbase in the U.S., in spite of — or perhaps because she shuns the usual synthetic packaging and tabloid tackiness. Instead she's adopted a more timeless approach, relying on her undeniable songs and unforgettable live performances to forge a genuine connection with her audience.

Higgins’ new album, On A Clear Night, retains the irresistible melodies and piercing lyrics of her critically lauded debut The Sound of White, which was Australia’s best-selling album of 2005. However this time around, the tracks benefit from the empathetic production of Mitchell Froom, who is known for his work with Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Crowded House. The quiet strength of the new songs reflects Higgins’ newfound confidence and changing worldview. A major star in Australia, she has grown up in public and On A Clear Night is the diary she's kept along the way.

"The album hopefully reflects where I'm at right now," Higgins says. "I feel a lot clearer about who I am and what I want to be doing with my music. I've moved on from the confusion and self-doubt I felt when I was just starting out. That's the main difference between the old songs and the new ones."

It's certainly been quite a journey. Higgins began her music career singing standards with her older brother's band when she was just 13. She was thrust into the limelight in 2001 when she won a national songwriting competition run by an influential national alternative radio network while still in high school. Instead of capitalizing on the moment, she chose to backpack around Europe before returning home and releasing an eponymous EP that topped the indie charts in late 2003. Airplay on influential Los Angeles tastemaker station KCRW led to a Stateside deal with Warner Bros Records. The following year, she released the Scar EP in Australia, which entered the that country’s charts at Number One, followed by the best-selling Sound of White, which was released internationally later that year. Higgins made repeated trips to the US and UK, opening for the likes of Ray Lamontagne, The Finn Brothers, and Howie Day. By the end of 2005, she had racked up more than 200 gigs culminating in a memorable series of huge outdoor concerts around Australia.

Fortunately Higgins likes to write songs while she's on the road, so while touring behind The Sound Of White, she penned many of the tunes that would comprise On A Clear Night, and gradually honed them through live performances. The pissed-off "Peachy" was among the first to work its way into Higgins’ set. The equally energetic (and only slightly less feisty) "100 Round The Bends" also became a fan favorite through repeated live airings.

"Unlike nearly all the songs on the first album, both of those songs were written on guitar, which is the only instrument I've got with me in the hotel room or on the bus,” Higgins says. “So the songs I write that way tend to be a bit more 'up' while playing the piano usually inspires slow songs. Maybe that's why there's a bit more energy on this album compared to the last one — I didn't spend as much time sitting around at home playing the piano." The new disc still features some beautiful keyboard-driven ballads, such as "Sugarcane" and "Where I Stood," but this time they're evenly balanced by the more uptempo tracks.

Recording for On A Clear Night commenced at Mitchell Froom's home studio in Los Angeles in early September 2006. Over the next three months, tracking proceeded with a stellar lineup of L.A, musicians including in-demand studio drummer Matt Chamberlain (Tori Amos, Fiona Apple) and former touring compadre Neil Finn, who was roped in to provide some extra guitars on "Peachy" and backing vocals on the rustic "Going North.”

The opening track, "Where I Stood," showcases both the tasteful restraint and the lyrical maturity that are the album's trademarks, while the sass and swagger of Higgins’ personal favorite track — "The Wrong Girl" — is clearly the work of a more self-confident songwriter. Missy credits her producer with helping her realize her ambitions for these pivotal songs.

"Working with Mitchell was such an empowering experience,” she says. “He's made so many great singer/songwriter-style records, and is full of all these brilliant ideas, but he never tried to impose anything on me. He just let me take my time and we let the songs unfold the way they wanted to. The result, I think, is a record with a real depth to it.”

The first single, "Steer," is, in many ways, the album's statement of intent. An infectious and uplifting piece about seizing control of your life, it sums up the disc’s outlook. A line from its chorus led to the title of On A Clear Night. "It was inspired by a realization I had one night on the beach, looking up at this amazingly clear sky above me,” Higgins recalls. “It dawned on me how small we are, how short life is, and how ridiculous it therefore is to spend any of it feeling unfulfilled. I felt so liberated to have finally figured that out, and the song 'Steer' just kind of fell out of that moment."

This sense that 'anything's possible' isn't confined to the lyrics; it also extends to the musical departures on the album. "Going North" has a surprisingly country twang to it, "Warm Whispers" employs some unusual structures and atmospheric loops, there's an acoustic string band treatment of "Angela", and the haunting "Secret" is written around just three notes played on one string of the guitar. They're the kind of subtle and surprising twists that sustain listener interest over the course of the album.

"I wanted this album to seem really simple when you first listen to it but then the more you play it, the more you discover,” Higgins says. “There are lots of little instrumental textures and things that you only notice after a few spins so hopefully people will feel like it's one of those albums that's worth playing a few times."

The Start

Info Courtesy of Wiki with the permission of the Start.

In January 2003, AFI invited theSTART to open up for them. Jeff Jaeger left the band in February and they brought in Sarah Saturday to play bass. theSTART continued to jump on tours, including Vaux, The Used and Coheed and Cambria. In May, Sarah and Brian were fired from the band because of conflicts. Having had a tour with Alkaline Trio still planned in June, theSTART borrowed friends Todd O'Keefe and Justin Rocherolle from The Green And Yellow TV to fill in.

Erick Sanger met theSTART when his previous band, Kissing Chaos, had played a show with them in Texas. He told Aimee he loved theSTART and would like to be in the band if they ever needed him. Bringing along friend Billy Brimblecom, Jr. to play drums, the lineup was finalized in July 2003. That summer they opened tours for Ozma, Onelinedrawing, and Taproot.

Nitro Records had been watching theSTART since they played with AFI. theSTART were signed in October 2003 and the Death Via Satellite EP was re-released with new artwork. They then joined the first Girlz Garage tour along with Lennon Murphy, Brassy and Lillix.

theSTART began to record their second full-length album Initiation in February 2004. In March, they embarked on another UK tour, this time with The Offspring. They continued to tour with The Offspring for North America, opening beside The (International) Noise Conspiracy and Auf Der Maur. They embarked on a co-headlining tour with The AKAs throughout July.On August 24, Initiation was released on Nitro Records.

Unfortunately it seems with good must come bad, as drummer Billy Brimblecom, Jr. announced the same day that he would be leaving the band. TheSTART took a month off then resumed headlining tours with new drummer Frank Zummo. For a few shows, Adrian Young of No Doubt filled in for drums.

In February 2005, Goldfinger asked theSTART to be on their animal rights tour, as both bands have vegetarian and vegan members. In the next few months, theSTART had another co-headlining tour, this time with Showbread.

In July, they were very excited to begin a tour with Head Automatica but less than halfway through it, Daryl Palumbo (Head Automatica singer) got sick and was hopitalized. The rest of the tour was cancelled. So theSTART jumped on the Team Sleep tour for the rest of the month. Frank Zummo left the band to focus on his project Street Drum Corps and Ed Davis was brought in on drums.

In August, Garbage invited theSTART to be the only opener on their last North American tour. March of 2006 had theSTART joining The Birthday Massacre for a month long tour. They continued on touring until the summer when longtime bassist Erick Sanger was unexpectedly let go. Drummer Ed Davis also departed to join Juliette and the Licks.

They brought in friends Lance Webber (ex-The Art Of Safecracking) on bass and Colin Strahm (of The Johns) on drums. They resumed playing when they were invited to open for such bands as Rancid, The Living End, and Metal Skool later in the year. The band was once again without a label as they had parted ways with Nitro Records. Though on Halloween 2006, they announced their signing with Metropolis Records and began work on their new album.

Aimee and Jamie wrote and recorded the new songs entirely by themselves this time. The band began playing again in March, until Echo was asked by the Teddybears to do vocals on their tour in April, which included a stop at the Coachella festival. When she returned, they hit the road with Front Line Assembly. Drummer Frank Zummo had returned for a stint replacing Colin Strahm.

The new record Ciao, Baby was released on June 5th, 2007. They played the whole cd live at the record release show at Safari Sam's on June 14th. Singer/drummer Chelsea Davis of Digital Black joined the band on drums as they prepared to tour in support of the album.

In July of 2007, the band released on their Myspace page a cover of the song "Cities in Dust" by Siouxsie & the Banshees, one of the band's life-long musical inspirations. The song was intended to be featured in promotion on the third Resident Evil film.

Ciao, Baby track "Blood On My Hands" was released as a digital only single on October 16, 2007 and featured a remixed version of the song by Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails. theSTART are spending the end of 2007 opening shows for She Wants Revenge. Ironically, founding drummer of theSTART and ex-Human Waste Project member, Scott Ellis, plays drums for She Wants Revenge, making it the first time the three founding members of theSTART have toured together since 2002.

Now after my long Wiki intro, I can give my opinion on this awesome band. Remember peeps, that I listen to all the tunes first and 90 percent of the time, I've been in contact with the artist and they've approved me putting their info on the site. All of them have been gracious enough to send me some mp3s of their wonderful creations. I was totally shocked and pleasantly surprised that the Start messaged me back. I couldn't believe it, you know how some bands are to hot that they don't feel a need to be on some little site like Crazy Indie Girl.

I first heard their music while watching the L Word season 5 episode 5 and I had to find out the goods on the music that was filling my ears. There are tons of fan websites and one in particular lists all the artists and track that are played on the show. There it was, " Ciao Baby" and " Surrender"! Please make sure you take time out to check out the links as well as listen to their album. It's so worth it! Also, make sure you check out my new radio station, UNUradio to hear all the tracks from the artists on my site.