Band Bio

Although The Lollies officially formed during a particularly raucous post-New Year’s party in London, early 1999, their members were actually brought together through the wonders of the Internet. Bassist Jane Mountain, originally from Vancouver, Canada, had moved to England in early 1998 to immerse herself in the London music scene. One day, in a cheesy theme restaurant in Hampstead, Jane heard one of her favourite Shangri-las songs on the radio, and was seized with the obsession to start her own group in classic 60s Girls In The Garage tradition.

The Lollies genesis occured when London-born but New York City-based guitarist Kate St.Claire landed on Jane's couch. Initially, Kate, formerly a session bassist in NYC, wanted nothing more to do with the music business ever again. However, after that fateful New Year’s party, Kate and Jane woke up with roaring hangovers, a new band, and the written-on-the-spot infectiously catchy single "Susan Is A Lesbian Now" (a true story about a mutual acquaintance) running through the heads of all the party guests.

Drawing on their love of 60s kitchen-sink drama girl groups, The Lollies set about turning their rapier wits to writing infectiously catchy and often hilarious songs. As the nascent Lollies recorded their songs on a 4-track in Kate's living room, they never dreamed that their project would be anything more than an extended in-joke between friends, writing songs such as "Quite Frankly I Think I Could Do A Better Job Of Being Famous" as a reaction against the host of dull, soulless pre-fabricated groups being foisted upon the charts. Yet it was a tape of that very song, remixed in Chris T-T's home studio, that caught the ear of the legendary ORG Records.

With upcoming gigs, and a track due for release on an ORG Radio compilation, The Lollies suddenly realised that their little in-joke was suddenly getting serious. But they needed a band... and luckily the rest of the pieces practically dropped in their laps.

In late summer of 1999, Matthew Lazowski, former drummer for a Canadian band called Dynamic Ribbon Device, arrived in London with little more than drumsticks and an appreciation of sugary girlpop. On the recommendation of some mutual friends from the Internet, he turned up on Kate's doorstep, wondering if she knew anyone who needed a drummer. The last piece of the puzzle fell into place less than a week before their first gig. Token English Person Rachel Angel, had originally come down to The Lollies' studio to interview them for her fanzine, Vacuum Boots, after hearing a buzz about the band on the Internet. Upon learning that she could play keyboard, The Lollies, impressed by her glittery boots, immediately asked her to join the band.

When the NME called them "The Best New Band In Britain" after their first gig, the band suddenly realised that it was no longer a joke, and took six months off to learn how to play their instruments, and record a debut single. The "Bang, Bang, Bang! Lookout! Lookout! Lookout!" EP, released in August 2000, was the result, a giddy, candy-coloured ride through The Lollies' world of shopping, shoes, bad boyfriends, unrequited crushes and office politics. The five-song EP even included a secret track, a rawkous, punk version of Travis' MOR classic, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me."

The EP charted on Canadian college radio, so The Lollies set off on a tour of North America, the centrepiece of which was a showcase performance at the legendary ROCKRGRL festival. Here, the Lollies fulfilled a long-time ambition, by actually meeting Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes.

2001 was a busy year for The Lollies. They started their own monthly free club, The Sunday Vodka Syndicate, showcasing their live talent at the Betsy Trotwood in London. The band were invited to perform at Ladyfest Scotland, contributing tracks to a compilation CD and a tour 7" as well as spear-heading the Ladyfest 2001 UK tour, with Bangs, The Gossip and Sarah Dougher. After signing to Evil World Records, The Lollies released a raspberry pink 7" double A-side single, Channel Heaven B/W Pearls, a duet with Chris T-T. This single hit number 8 in the Rough Trade singles charts in November and was playlisted in the UK, Holland, France, Canada, US & Finland. They won 3rd place (from a nominees list of 55 bands) in the international GirlMedia.com Best Girl Band contest. And finally, to thank their fans, they celebrated Christmas with a thank you gift, the song "(You Could Make An) Angel Sigh" released on MP3 format, and on special Christmas Compilation CDs for their friends.

2002 started on a sad note, with the departure of keyboardist Rachel Angel, for "personal reasons." Sadly, Evil World folded, but the band were quickly snapped up by Fortune & Glory Records. (Apparently, their new recording contract was approved by none other than metal legends, Iron Maiden.) The band regrouped in One Cat Studios to commence work on their debut album with long-time collaborator Jon Clayton of Blusher at the controls. The first single from the album, Call The Girls, was featured on the Indiecent Exposure compilation. Now bristling with rock as a power trio, the band toured the UK in June.

On 28th October 2002, The Lollies will release their debut album, Taste, on Fortune and Glory records. There will be a UK tour in November/December in support.

But really, their obsessive fans speak best:
"Don't you DARE call us twee bandwagon jumpers! WE ROCK! The Lollies rock! The Lollies kick so much ass they REARRANGE DNA! I dream about The Lollies at night! I hear the dulcet tones of "I Found Myself At The Supermarket" every time commerce is engaged in or even mentioned! I have Lollies stickers bonded to my flesh! I write "The Lollies" on condoms so that I may get busy with their concept! I think bass loops are NIFTY! I will MOW LAWNS to have enough money to buy sixty thousand copies of the next Lollies release! I LICK RASPBERRY COLOURED VINYL! I draw comics where the Lollies destroy all outmoded systems of goverment and thought! I make stripy trousers for my paper dolls! I compulsively count out 22 of everything! I WANT MATTHEW'S FACE ON THE COVER OF TIME MAGAZINE AS MAN OF THE YEAR! I will name my firstborn Jane Mountain and my second born Kate! I will starfuck the new band members! I will kill and eat any detractors of the Lollies sound! Only The Lollies can save us from mediocrity and excessive seriousness!"
Jemiah Jefferson