thePULSEBy Rebecca Carter
Self-described as “cocktail pop,” the Lascivious Biddies are an all female quartet based in New York City who will soon grace Fitchburg State College’s Center Stage. “We’re a mix of jazz, pop, cabaret, folk and country with four part harmonies,” explains Biddies’ pianist Deirdre Rodman. “…and we wear cocktail dresses.”
Individually, the members of the Lascivious Biddies boast an impressive resume, having shared the stage with artists such as Debbie Harry, Elvis Costello and The Jazz Passengers. Consisting of Rodman, Saskia Lane on bass, Amanda Monaco on guitar and Lee Ann Westover as the lead vocalist, the Biddies’ music has been featured on The Food Network, The Discovery Channel, Fuse and a commercial for Chili’s Restaurants. The band has released two full length albums, a DVD, and a 5 song EP to date, but before there was the music, there was the name. “It was really a joke, but we thought it sounded funny so the name stuck,” recalls Rodman. “It was kind of like when you’re sitting around drinking, coming up with stupid band names…although I wasn’t drunk.”
The group started out briefly as a Go-Gos cover band before deciding to go with original material, but they still put their own twist everything from Jimi Henrix’s “Fire” to a creepy version of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” to songs by The Smiths. “Sometimes fans submit ideas for songs we should cover, but a lot of our wacky ideas come from rehearsal. We split the writing equally,” Rodman explains of their diverse repertoire. “We all listen to such varied music…even 80s Dance Party CDs.”
When not touring the country as The Lascivious Biddies, the band doubles as the Itty Biddies with performances geared more towards children and families. With a new studio and possible kids’ album planned, The Biddies with be appearing at Fitchburg State on November 1st and 2nd for a Women in Music class, a songwriting and storytelling workshop, an Itty Biddies performance and a Lascivious Biddies performance in the Percival Auditorium.
For more information visit: www.biddiesmusic.com and www.fsc.edu/cultural
