The Coathangers are a Gang of Aggression

Why must the musical posturing of aggression be about a shit-eating grin and a shout into a face? It doesn’t always have to be about anger; case in point Atlanta’s foursome of the noisy get-down The Coathangers.

“You can tell the difference between a good show and bad show for us,” drummer Stephanie “Rusty Coathanger” Luke said, joining the rest of the band on a couch. “If we’re not having a good time it’s not going to be the best show ever. Whether it’s technically good or not doesn’t matter. It’s about the energy.”

Notoriously noted and now nationally enjoyed since finding full length home at Suicide Squeeze Records the girls’ show is a groove of stomping, explosive dash, and sometimes delicious cookies – which have made their way to the audience before because (historically speaking) no one has ever had sad face with a delicious chocolate chip in their hand.

Candice “Bebe” Jones

All four laughing at the same answer, the product of being friends before the band, makes a massive exclamation point. One of their best shows was a recent one in Mexico. “It was so great,” guitarist Julia “Crook Kid” Kugel launched herself towards the recorder recalling the show. “One: we were so frustrated and we had so much aggression to get out. Two: because it was just fucking awesome.”

It’s all smiles with the band – even in interview each answer sends the other three into laughter and giggles, but the fact that the ladies yell on stage has some critics penning them as just angry girls. “I think we’re expressing some kind of anger or frustration, maybe,” says Kugel.

“We’re not angry because we’re women, we’re angry because we’re people. I’m tired of people being ‘they’re women so they’re so upset,” Luke exclaimed. “You never hear an interview with an all male hardcore band being ‘are you mad because your men?’”

Meredith “Minnie” Franco

Four separate conversations began. “I am angry!” Luke laughs as if a bulb is floating above her. “I am angry about that.”

Oddly enough some of the harshest skeptics of the band have come from women. “The only time we’ve been asked if we think our looks have influenced our success was by a woman,” Kugel adds. I was assured and explained much worse accusations thrown their way.

Before The Coathangers ever played a ruckus resonating note there were no rules on what kind of songs they would write. “If you put a boundary on it, how can you fully understand what you’re doing?” Luke said.

Stephanie “Rusty” Luke

Everyone shrugged off how the band often gets stamped as punk and laughter dominated the room on being called “Lo-fi” – a recording style turned genre tag Atlanta should look into copywriting for its bands.

Kugel says that’s code for shitty. “We’re a little shitty,” Luke smirked.
“We were worse in the begging,” bassist Meredith “Minnie” Franco added.
“If you like shit you’ll like us,” Kugel responded, “or it’s just better shit now.”

Juila “Crook Kid” Kugel

The Coathangers will join Sealions and The Selmanaires at The Purge launch show at The Earl on August 1st. Be there or be lonely.

Photo Credit: Tim Song