Merch Frida Kill – “City Gurl” Vinyl LP

Frida Kill’s music draws from familiar strands of New York City rock and punk history. Garage rock, avant-garde and funk mix into a campy style of post-punk performed by four women of marginalized backgrounds living in one of the most expensive cities in the world at a time when the rights of some of their cohorts are being threatened and taken away. The urgency in the messages of the songs slaps the listener in the face like the pungent aroma of sidewalk trash on a hot New York City summer day. Topics like abortion, grief, transphobia, mental health and the crushing rise in the cost of living are delivered with the urgent call for like-minded individuals to stand up for each other.

The underlying guitar grooves in Frida Kill songs have a familiarity going back to some CBGB and Max’s Kansas City bands of the late 70s but are embellished by new-wave post-punk guitar climaxes, all kept in time by minimalist ESG type drumbeats. Maria Lina brings larger than life vocal performances informed by stints in Tina Turner and X-Ray Spex cover bands.

On “City Gurl,” Frida Kill drop more knowledge than the average corporate lawyer! They are the only punk band in the world that can educate their audience about the perils of the dreaded Credit Default Swap. Yes, they also write songs about the Chinatown Bus, the chopped cheese and the bacon egg and cheese but this is a New York City band after all! Even though it’s only punk rock put some respect on Frida Kill’s name. They are “Queen(s) of the Thrill” goddamit but it’s still not a game!