Audio clip
Clinno and Amanda Spence
Listening to the radio in recent decades, it might seem to some that the altar of hard rock has been growing dusty from lack of attention.
Not so the brother/sister power duo BugGirl. They've have been showing due respect to the genre by playing the role of rock stars to the whiskey-soaked hilt through three years of near-continuous touring.
"We're definitely all about living rock 'n' roll as it should be lived -- working hard, being on the road, doing things the old-school way -- loud guitars, lots of fun," guitarist/vocalist Amanda Spence said, laughing.
"We're just addicted to it. There's nothing else in our lives," added her brother, drummer Clinno Spence.
Night after night, the pair have been spinning the odometer through their native Australia and Europe. Earlier this month, they took their first American stages on a debut U.S. tour that will bring them to JJ's Bohemia tonight.
Although there's a strong influence of Aussie pub rockers like AC/DC and Rose Tattoo in BugGirl's music, they said have equal love for American classic rock legends like Van Halen, Motley Crue and Ted Nugent.
As such, touring the states is a bit like the rock-star equivalent of a trip to Mecca, Amanda said.
"The U.S. has such an amazing history with rock 'n' roll; it is rock 'n' roll," she said. "In a way, coming here and playing rock' n' roll is kind of reconnecting with part of your history, part of your soul."
Yes, being on tour day in and day out is a tough gig, but as long as it's still fun, BugGirl will be out spreading the hard rock gospel, Clinno said.
"As long as we're doing this style of music, this is the way to live it," he said. "Rock is still where we can get sweaty and have a good time.
"How can you stop enjoying stuff like that?"
IF YOU GO
* What: BugGirl and Indian Friend.
* When: 10 p.m. today.
* Where: JJ's Bohemia, 231 M.L. King Blvd.
* Admission: $5.
* Phone: 266-1400.
* Venue Web site: www.myspace.com/jjsbohemia
* Related links at fyi.timesfreepress.com
DISCOGRAPHY
2004: "Looming Shadows"
2007: "Rock 'n' Roll Hell"
2009: "Blood, Sweat & Beers"
LINEUP
Amber Spence -- guitar, lead vocals
Clinno Spence -- drums, backing vocals
WHAT'S NEXT
Four months after recording the EP "Blood, Sweat & Beers" with AC/DC producer Mark Opitz, Australian hard rock power duo BugGirl went to California to record a full-length follow-up, "Dirt in the Skirt." That album should be out by late summer and was produced by Sylvia Massey, who spearheaded Tool's double-platinum debut album "Undertow."
Casey Phillips has worked as a features reporter in the Life department for three years. He writes about entertainment, young adults, animals and people of interest. Casey hails from Knoxville and earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a bachelor of arts in German. He previously worked as the features editor for Sidelines at Middle Tennessee State University. Casey received the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists Award of Excellence for Reviewing/Criticism in ...
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