The Heroine Sheiks were originally a New York-based Noise Rock band until early 2006, when the band called it quits. In 2008 the band was reformed in Minneapolis, and then only lasting another year. It began in 1999 as a collaboration of Shannon Selberg, George Porfiris, Norman Westberg and John Fell. Selberg emerged as a major songwriter in the complete history of the band whose sound was darker and more sinister than his previous work in The Cows. With multiple references to the writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline, the band explored a thematic quality of black comedy. Many of the more successful bands from New York in the last ten years record sales wise got started opening for Heroine Sheiks. Bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fiery Furnaces, Interpol, and Gogol Bordello, all played opening slots for the Heroine Sheiks.
The initial lineup of Selberg, Porfiris, Westberg, and J.Bryan Bowden recorded the first single on Amphetamine Reptile records titled "Heroine Sheiks"(scale 98). The release included the songs "We are the", "Let's Fight" and "Swedish Fly". This was reportedly the last official Amrep release, as further releases up to this date have been special limited releases by the Melvins and other affiliated musicians befriended by label owner Tom Hazelmyer. The band received good support from the local NYC underground rock scene and prompted a full length release by Reptilian Records.
"Rape on the Installment Plan" is considered an art/noise rock masterpiece by critics and fans alike. Mark Prindle wrote, "This is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. Melodies that won't leave my head, unpredictable noise blasts and asides that always keep me guessing, funky as goodness rock drumming, and effortlessly on-the-money vocalizing -- what a great new band!" The record was released on white vinyl and CD. The record saw the arrival of veteran drummer John Fell thus completing the talent ridden lineup. The buzz surrounding Heroine Sheiks at that point was huge due to the combination of Selberg, Westberg, Fell, and Porfiris who had done time in bands like Swans, The Cows, China Shop, Kelly Township, Foetus, Richard Hell, Miami Sound Machine, and Ultra Bide to name a few. During live shows of this period Scott Hill was added to the lineup to perform keyboard duties, he was known for his periodic dancing between keyboard parts and provided some comedy relief as Selberg's performance was menacing, confrontational and often purposely bizarre.
In 2001 bass player George Porfiris left the band and Eric Eble joined. The band signed to Rubric Records and recorded the single "Best Enemies/Oucha (CD only) and eventually the album "Siamese Pipe" (CD only). The record was a solid sophomoric release, but received mixed reviews. Fan favorite songs "Army Brat", "My Boss" and "Mas Suicide" are included. The production on Siamese was cleaner and had more of a standard mix next to Rape, but the successful formula of Selberg's toy keyboard and Westberg's signature guitar playing is very pronounced. Overall the rhythm section became heavier and tighter with greater complexity in the writing and arrangements. The band periodically toured throughout this period and created a solid fan base across the US. For live shows keyboards were filled in by both Scott Hill and newcomer Creighton Chamberlain.
Sometime in the spring of 2003, founding member Norman Westberg left the band and Selberg recruited Martin Ros from the then breaking up band Sons of Mata Hari. Martin's sound fit perfectly in the ever evolving sound of the Sheiks, as he was an accomplished guitarist with a rich punk rock and noise rock history. Summer and Fall shows followed with positive response. Though late 2003 saw the departure of drummer John Fell due to chronic hearing problems, and soon in early 2004 bassist Eric Eble left the band. Selberg was now left to find a complete rhythm section. Turning towards Ros to help, he suggested bass player Rob Kimball and drummer Eric Robel who were also from the band Sons of Mata hari. With the entirely new lineup, the band charged new energy and outlook for Selberg as he produced some of his best writing to date. A midwest tour in the Spring followed with positive reception and material was written in the Summer of 2004 for an upcoming demo. It was at this time that Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers was attending the Sheiks shows, impressed with Selberg he invited them on his upcoming tour with "Gibby Haynes and His Problem", a newly conceived band that had just released an album of the same name. Heroine Sheiks accepted and a 30 day tour ensued prompting the completion of the new band's 2005 demo.
"Out of Aferica" was released on Reptilian Records in Summer 2005(CD only) and produced the greatest reviews since "Rape". Prindle gave the record a perfect 10 and the song "Cock Asia" was a DJ and fan favorite. The record was recorded in two days and mixed in one week. Aferica exhibited Selberg's various personalities as a writer and creative force, and the new band's sound was more rock oriented than the band's previous lineup. A US tour followed in the fall with minimal exposure to the new record and the band saw it difficult to continue. The New York chapter of the Heroine Sheiks officially ended in March 2006. Within a year Selberg had moved back to his hometown of Minneapolis.
While in Minneapolis Selberg gathered new musicians to continue as the Heroine Sheiks. They played shows and released a limited edition CD Journey to the End of the Knife, and toured with the new line-up. The line-up included drummer Bruce Wuollet, a.k.a. B.J., who has also played guitar in previous bands.Also in this lineup was Minneapolis veteran Paul Sanders formerly of Hammerhead. [1]
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