San Antonio’s Girl In A Coma stand out starkly in a scene brimming with pop-punk girl bands and screamy brats with all the right connections. Their sound rises from an '80s-infused mix of rock and Smiths-esque sentimentality that's anything but accidental - you need only look to their name for evidence of that - and they've already toured with the legendary shoegazer icon himself, ex-Smiths frontman Morrissey.
Playing with one's heroes at such an early point in a band's career can cause self-congratulatory lethargy, leading them to the pitfalls of atrophied ambition. Such is not the case with Girl In A Coma. Vocalist/guitarist Nina Diaz, bassist Jenn Alva and drummer Phanie Diaz are hungry, tour-ripened and ready for the big game.
In 2006 the trio hit the radar of pioneering chick-rocker Joan Jett, who signed the band to her Blackheart Records label in short order. Their debut album, Both Before I'm Gone, was a stylistic mix of their influences, and found the girls developing their sound through their heartsleeve rock leanings. This year's follow-up, Trio B.C., finds the girls in a much more refined and focused state of mind. With more attitude, tighter hooks and an overall spunkier attitude, Girl In A Coma have certainly come into their own, and we're excited to see where they're headed next.
We caught up with Phanie to discuss life as a rock band in a crumbling industry, the end of the world and the healing powers of Girl In A Coma's music.
CraveOnline: So you've already toured with Morrissey, where the hell do you go from there? What goals do you set after that?
Phanie Diaz: Morrissey is definitely up there... but it doesn't end there. You keep on keeping on... we want to do this as long as we can and as long as the people let us. Releasing records and touring on them is always the goal for us. We want to reach all who will listen.
CraveOnline: Has your music actually helped bring anyone out of a coma yet? If not, that fixes the previous question's goals dilemma, but what song would you play to a comatose person over and over to try to get them to wake up?
Phanie Diaz: Haha not yet.. BUT if we were trying to get someone out of a coma.. we would probably have to cover something...or we would write a song called WAKE UP.. in which Nina just yells wake up over and over again. Think that would work?
CraveOnline: How has your relationship been with Blackheart Records?
Phanie Diaz: Amazing. They take care of us and also allow us the freedom to do what we want. We plan our own videos and record whatever we like. A supportive label that allows you that kind of freedom is hard to find.
CraveOnline: In an ideal world, what would a label do for a band?
Phanie Diaz: Everything Blackheart is doing. Getting you a CD to sell and spreading the word about your band as much as they can. We hear horror stories about other labels... trying to change a band's look and or sound.. it's stupid. If you sign a band...then there must be a reason why you liked them in the first place. Why change them...or why try to make something that's already been done?
CraveOnline: You've undoubtedly seen many great bands fall by the wayside on your way up the ladder - what's kept you from falling into the pit of failure (aside from kicking ass, of course)?
Phanie Diaz: I think just the support we have for each other. We truly love and care about each other and take care of each other. We also know what we want to create as writers... and even if we get angry and fight...we know that tomorrow or in a few hours... it's going to be ok. We know each other... and that's what makes us last. Chemistry.
CraveOnline: People are saying that the Internet is the death of music, but I consider that to be a load of horseshit. This is the most exciting time ever in music, because the musicians finally have the power to create their own voice and share their art with the world without someone else owning and controlling it. How do you balance your opinions on file sharing and illegal downloading with actually trying to succeed at what you're doing?
Phanie Diaz: Everything you are saying is right. That's the positive about it all. The negative has to be not being able to support yourself as an artist.. and the record shops not being able to stay open. The Internet can be like TV too. It's turning into it. Myspace, youtube... itunes, they choose what to put on the front page... therefore showing the masses what to listen to. Just like MTV etc. A band has to work even harder to get people to even take a listen to their page. Bands who are actually trying to make a living as an artist have to now depend on touring and merch vs record sales... and i think a spirit of rock and roll can be lost in downloading vs actually finding a record on your own. Part of buying a record is reading the whole package.. the credits in the sleeve, the artwork. When downloading a lot of people dont pay attention to that. They want the song and thats that. As Jenn says, it's an A.D.D. world.. we want it and we want it now. That's why the spirit is lost.
CraveOnline: What's the first thing that comes to mind when I say.... Joan Jett?
Phanie Diaz: Love
CraveOnline: Kat Von D?
Phanie Diaz: Independent
CraveOnline: Sonic Youth?
Phanie Diaz: Inspiration
CraveOnline: Besides your hometown, where have you gotten the best crowd responses on tour?
Phanie Diaz: LA.. we actually had more people in attendance in LA then San Antonio.
CraveOnline: Tell people what they should be watching for out of the San Antonio scene.
Phanie Diaz: Hidden talent. There are so many talented musicians in this city... and a lot of amazing bands. If you visit... go to a show. You'll see.
CraveOnline: There are a few cameos in the video for "Static Mind" - Nina's dog, for one. Who else is in there that you know?
Phanie Diaz: Our current practice space is in the video, a painting of our dog Marilyn done by Jenn. Nina's teddybear Gunther, the corner street of our actual house.
CraveOnline: Any ideas for a follow-up video?
Phanie Diaz: We have 2...maybe three more planned.
CraveOnline: Favorite tattoos?
Phanie Diaz: Nina's is her Frida Kahlo tattoo, Jenn's Elvis Rooster (or cock) and my San Antonio tattoo.
CraveOnline: What would you consider the greatest differences between Both BeforeI'm Gone and Trio B.C.?
Phanie Diaz: Trio B.C. is definitely a mix of songs...we went all over the place. It was fun.
CraveOnline: What's the next step? You put Trio B.C. together in less than a year will you take your time with the next one, or do you have ideas sketched already?
Phanie Diaz: Nina's already writing... we might go with a theme... we might not. We shall see :) For now it's tour tour tour.
CraveOnline: Things have changed quite a bit for you in the past few years - have >your experiences changed the way you write now, or plan to?
Phanie Diaz: I think it makes for better lyrics for sure. As for writing music we always learn from who we work and or tour with. We like to experiment... we are all open minded to all kinds of ideas and genres. As a musician.. it's always a good thing to evolve and at least try things out. Makes it interesting.
CraveOnline: It's the last night on Earth before nuclear armageddon... or the apocalypse... or Skynet takes over. Something. You're invited to sing three songs with Morrissey, and you get to choose them. Any song. What are they?
Phanie Diaz: Hairdresser on Fire, Rubber Ring, Girlfriend in a Coma as the last song right before we all die.
