Untitled Document

The Misses continue to be a hit By Kevin Johnson Post-Dispatch Pop Music Critic 07/22/2004 Kevin Johnson

All-female rock bands remain as much an anomaly on the local rock scene as on the national, but that's not the only reason the Misses draw notice: The band's also usually the one making the most noise. Ever since its Feb. 14, 2002, debut concert at the Hi-Pointe, the Misses have been giving their fans a cheekily good time. "We want people to have fun at our shows," says singer Sikki Nixx, who founded the band with her sister Misses Robinskin - on drums, naturally. "If promoters book us and people walk away saying we pulled it off, that's a bonus. But we want people to come and have a good time. Our motto is: The more you drink, the better we sound. We don't take it too seriously."

Sikki Nixx and Misses Robinskin are pseudonyms that the women made up as part of the fun, and they prefer to be referred to by them. Nixx says her name honors her bass god, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, not Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks, which many people think. Also in the band are Misses Lay Low (guitar) and Misses Olota Luv (bass). Nixx admits that when the band first formed in 2001, she wasn't sure about the name the Misses. "I was on the fence about it," she says. "Miss Robinskin thought it would be funny if guys told their girls there were going out with the guys to see the Misses. I wanted something more rock 'n' roll-sounding. I'm always trying to be overly creative. Plus, there's so many 'the' bands." Others won out, however, and the Misses it was.

The group clearly formed on what can best be described as a whim rather than out of anyone's burning desire to be in a band. Nixx explains: "We just decided, 'Hey, we've always been going to see bands, we've dated guys in bands, we've worked at record stores, let's just try it, what the heck?'" The original guitarist, who is no longer with the band, won a guitar, and the new band gave her an excuse to learn how to play it. Miss Robinskin pulled together a drum set by combining bits and pieces of different kits. She recently learned how to play the cow bell, which she once played so hard she broke it. Only Misses Mmmm, a bassist who's no longer with the group, "really knew how to play." The women mostly learned as they went along.

Despite the ragtag nature of the group, they knew they'd tapped into something at their first show at the Hi-Pointe. "There were lines waiting to get in at the door, like the Who was in town," Nixx says. "It was so hyped up. There were so many people there." She attributes the huge reception that evening to the fact all of the women are well-known in St. Louis' music scene. "We all worked in the industry and support local bands, and people felt they owed us," Nixx says. The band's all-female lineup creates part of the buzz, Nixx happily admits. "We like to think that helps," she says. "We like to say it sparks a little interest. It helps us because people looking to book shows sometimes say, 'Let's throw these gals in the mix.' If we draw guys, that's great. Guys come because a lot of gals come to the show. Girls come to the show because we're down to earth and approachable. We're goofy and fun onstage." The Misses are influenced by everyone from ABBA to Blondie to the Zero Boys, and Nixx describes the band's music as just good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll.

"We're definitely not pop or punk, though we have a little bit of everything," she says. "But it's just rock 'n' roll." The women have performed at the Hi-Pointe, the Way Out Club, the Rocket Bar, Off Broadway and Velvet, and they've opened for the Reverend Horton Heat at the Pageant. But they don't play out enough to be regulars. That could change now that the band is about to start recording again, following up its 2002 four-song EP, "4 Play," with its first full-length CD. "Our theory was to not burn ourselves out and not to burn our fans and friends out," Nixx says. "We didn't want to be a weekend bar band." More information on the Misses is available on www.stlvbug.org/misses.

The Misses: The lead singer of this all-female punk band is a woman named Misses Sikki Nixx. When she is not onstage, Nixx likes to practice kickboxing, which certainly makes sense because this bands live show kicks ass. Nixx has such a strong stage presence and is so entertaining, its hard to want to go to the bar for fear of missing some of the show. Granted, the band could not be any more simplistic musically, but the lyrics and stage antics, as well as a famous song by the Damned thrown in the mix, make this group worth checking out.

Cyclops Zine 9/9/03 (review of Pro-Vel records comp we're on "It came from Uranus":

The Misses deliver rockin’ “Different.” “I’m not like the other girls. I like rock n’ roll. I like fast cars and I like to smoke a bowl. I like watchin’ fights and WWF. Take a good look baby, cuz, what you see is what you get.” These gals that know a thing or two about rock n’ roll and it’s one of the best song on the disk. “It Came From Uranus” shows the world that rock n’ roll don’t just come from the coasts. Pro-Vel Records have themselves a winner here and you should keep an eye out for their releases.

"2 to 7 p.m.: Arrived at the Tanqueray Outdoor Stage a few minutes into the Misses' set. Founding members Misses Mmm, Misses Sikki Nixx and Misses Robinskin are joined by two brand-new guitarists -- in fact, the lineup is playing in public for the first time, after only a couple of weeks of practice. If they're nervous (an understandable reaction under the circumstances), it's impossible to tell. After some not-exactly-PG-13 stage banter, the band roars through such insta-classics as "Mullet Man," a homage both to Heart and to Sikki Nixx's Jefferson County hoosier-newlywed neighbor, and hops off the stage to thunderous applause."

"Sisters Misses Robinskin (drums) and Misses Sikki Nixx (vocals) brought their lifetime love of rock & roll to the stage after countless nights singing classic songs in karaoke bars. With the addition of a couple of more experienced players, guitarist Misses T and bassist Misses Mmm, the Misses proved that rock & roll hearts can produce great music. Last summer, the Misses released 4 Play, a CD that, as advertised, plays four songs. The Misses may not wear makeup à la Kiss, but they've created similarly mythic characters, as you can see on their Web site (www.stlvbug.org/misses/home.asp). But it's onstage that they really shine: Sikki Nixx is a natural-born frontwoman, with songs that rock hard and sweet at the same time, whether she's singing about prowling for sex or bleaching her hair. Sadly, founding guitarist Misses T recently decided to move on from the band, and replacements are being auditioned as we speak".

The Misses, "4 Play," no label. These St. Louis ladies have been playing together for only a few months, and after two, count 'em, two live gigs, they've recorded a 4 song demo that's loads of fun. Lyrics that are funny and intelligent, kind of like the Ramones, though with sexier themes are wedded to nice, sinuous hard rock grooves. The Misses are really good already, and have nothing but promise for the future.

"Friday should BE CHAOS!!!!!!! Let's see Deb's b-day was last month, Ms. M's is this month, yours is next month, when is Tinas (Misses T)? the following month? I think that you girls are making these birthdays up so you have an excuse to party!"

"DEBBY (aka Skin) YOU WERE SO AWESOME! DENNIS AND OUR LITLE GANG WE WERE THERE WITH WERE SOOO IMPRESSED WITH YOU BANGING YOUR DRUMS! ROCK ON DEBBY! "

"debbysue, you beat the sh*t out of those drums! right on! my favorite part was that everytime you hit the cymbals you'd sneer."

"I said what I had to say about the Misses last night, the bottom line is: Women oozing s*x appeal who rock like the New York Dolls and sing naughty, naughty songs, makes Kirk a happy, happy man!" "I want a tee shirt!"

Kevin O'Connor: "Subject: why the misses rule Because they do!!" Kevin (who WISHES the MISSES would give out more KISSES)

Tim Byrnes: (on the Misses first show)

"So I arrive at the Hi-Pointe around 9:30, the downstairs is packed, poor Bonnie has to deal with all of the over anxious people, telling everyone as nice as she can that she doesn't even have money yet and that they will have to wait. Myself I think it was just Homey's tactic to keep everyone downstairs longer so he could make more in tips!!
So, the doors are finally opened and there is a mad rush to get up the stairs... seriously it was like a Who concert in the 70's or something.... When I finally make it up there I am overwelmed as to how many people are there and that I know half of them, then I notice that everyone I talk to is already drunk! That is always a good sign! There is candy all over the tables, cookies on the bar, Crocodile Hunter valentines for everyone, I knew I was in for a party!
So, I have another shot and a beer and get a prime spot for picture taking. The lights go down the Misses all assume their spot... but wait.... Where is Misses Sikki Nix? She is nowhere to be found... oh there she is she is coming out of the bathroom!! I guess the pre- show jitters finally got to her! She bounces on stage bust some classic moves, including the ReRun to some disco... yes a rock Goddess!
With the count of 1,2,3,4 from Misses Robinskin they launch into some pretty rockin original that I am not sure but I think it was about either a boy or pot... I know it wasn't about bleaching her hair!! I am going to town, taking pictures, and I think, I have to climb on stage and get a good picture of Misses Robinskin, I get all ready to take the picture when I see her with a worried look on her face pointing down to the kick drum, that is when I notice the beater laying about 2 feet from the pedal.... Uh, Oh!!!! The song ends and we get Sikki's attention and tell her to start telling some jokes or something `cause we gots us some technical difficulties! So while Robinskin is trying to make the Screamers double trigger pedal tighten down on her bass I get her pedal fixed so we swap them out again and she is ready to RAWK!!!!! All four girls were fabulous! I think after they get a couple of shows under their belt they will awesome! Let's put it this way, Whitey (Tim Goggins - ex WTG) is ready to let them record in his studio for free!! Whitey is usually the most critical critic I know! The Misses finished up their set and got a raving response! To bad they didn't know one more song so they could do an encore! "

"Musically they had kind of a Cramps meets the Shangri-Las thing going on. Which leads us to Ms.Sheila, the star of the show. I've known her for years and had no idea she could sing so well! It also takes the cajones of a ******* sister to attempt a cover of Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" the first time you've ever sang in public! And hey, she pulled it off, hitting about 90% of the high notes while doing perfect PB stage moves. She has great charisma onstage. Those years of going to all those drags shows with Debby have paid off, cause that's kind of what her deal is onstage: classic drag queen mannerisms done by a very beautiful straight girl---an easy formula for success. They came out to an intro tape of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love", in which Sheila did classic drag/disco moves while the rest plugged in and got ready. I leaned over to Steve & Cat Pick and half-kiddingly said, "This is the best thing I've seen all year".

"I second almost everything Steve says here. Debby Sue was a hoot; she really pulled off some tricky things back there, and looked great doing it. I can't believe Sheila (Sikki) hasn't been doing this for years. She will lead this crew to great heights if they stick together and get more proficient. The songs were pretty cool, too. I really liked "Manhunt."

Steve Pick (on the 2nd show):

The Misses were even better this time than last, especially because the sound was mixed better, and they were more polished. I've known Debbasue for more than 20 years, and I've never seen her look happier than when she pounds those skins. And Sheila . . . Cat and I had Tony Patti take our picture with her, so we'll have a memento when she's a big star someday.

"And I third it! Debby Sue looks beyond fabulous behind a drum kit (actually, she looks beyond fabulous anywhere, but extra kick-ass behind the kit). Sheila is a fantastic frontwoman, a born stage entertainer. I could barely see (or hear, damn you Hi-Pointe sound!) the guitar player as she was kind of hiding behind the PA and the bass player is the prettiest, most innocent-looking gal in a band I think I've ever seen. Everyone must experience this band. And yes, "Manhunt" totally rocks!"

Tony Patti (after hearing the c.d.on KDHX 88.1):

The Misses rocked so good! Holy shit! It's almost insulting being so amazed by the rock - as if these girls could do anything less? But I know they haven't had a lot of lessons, either. Raw talent is always amazing, but wouldn't it be sad if the girls, with their vast experience in rock, were anything less than great? They have exceeded everyone's expectations, and I'm going to act smug and told-you-so about it because, in hindsight, of course they are great!