Glam-Metal.com - Interviews Detox Darlings

Interview with JetSet Jenna Darling by Thomas S. Orwat, Jr.

One of the more rewarding aspects of being a music critic is that every now and then you stumble upon a new band or artist that just blows your mind. The NYC based Detox Darlings is one of those bands. Formed in 1996 by the husband and wife team of Spyder Darling and JetSet Jenna Darling, the band incorporates glam/punk/rock influences to form a unique brand of NYC party rock. This is a band that’s bound to make it BIG. The Detox Darlings first CD “Thirst Things First“ is an eight song, street-smart, gutter-rock masterpiece.

Check our CD review section for a full review.

If you are in the NYC area, make sure that you check out the band live. They can often be seen playing The Continental, CBGB’s and L’amours.

What follows is an exclusive Glam-Metal.com interview with JetSet Jenna Darling.

How did the band form?

Detox Darlings came together very quickly because of Spyder’s determination. He started making calls and got everyone together. He booked a gig after the first rehearsal so we focused on that. It was very exciting for all of us. We did material Spyder and I wrote together like Pretty Little Junkie and Zombie Doll, and also material he wrote when he lived in Hollywood like Roses Over Manhattan.

What were your goals when forming the band?

Originally, our goals were pretty simple. We wanted to play by our own rules, write our own songs, and wear shiny clothes. I’m happy to report we’ve accomplished all of those things! Even though our goals have gotten bigger over the years, I think it’s important to look back and see how far we’ve come.

How would you describe the sound of the Detox Darlings?

We’re loud and fast with hooks and harmonies and just a touch of nutmeg. We hear a lot of comparisons to bands like X, the B 52’s, New York Dolls, The Runaways, The Donnas, Blondie. I think we sound best live because there’s so much energy during a show that’s tough to capture in a studio setting.

How many different members have you had during the years?

Many. We keep in touch with a lot of them and many of them play with their own bands now. Jimmy Black and Nicky Black from the Black Angels played with us for awhile. Luke Love from Starr did some killer leads with us. Jynx Lynx from Bombshell sang back ups with us and still makes an occasional appearance. Dave Marks, our first drummer, stays busy playing clubs in New Jersey. There have been lots of others. After playing with us, people either get inspired and do their own thing or they get burned out and quit the business altogether. We’ve got about a 50/50 track record with that. I have great memories from over the years. Maybe some day we’ll get everyone together for a giant jam session. That’s a lot of drummers!

Do you find that being based in the heart of NYC has been helpful as far getting recognition from the music industry big wigs?

Being a NYC based band is a bit of a catch-22. The upside is that there is so much creative energy here and a lot of great clubs. The downside is that there are so many bands, a lot of talent goes unnoticed. There’s a ton of talent out there right now that will come and go because they’ll get frustrated. I saw a band the other night that blew me away but no one’s ever heard of them. When Detox Darlings play outside of NYC the crowds are always very receptive and the other musicians are very respectful. Maybe they’re just impressed we manage to pay rent here!

What is the music scene like in NYC nowadays?

Thanks to the dedication of a handful of promoters, bands and DJs, the scene is gaining momentum. There’s clearly been a revival for music that’s party-oriented. People want to have fun and dance around and sing along. Consider us an excellent form of stress relief.

Are Drugs still a big part of the scene?

At rock shows the drugs of choice are Budweiser and Jack Daniels. I think people figured out that it’s far more fun hanging out at the bar with their buddies than sneaking off to the bathroom to indulge in the illegal stuff. Besides, who’s got that kind of cash?

What’s your favorite club to play in?

Continental without a doubt. The sound is great both onstage and off. Noel, the sound guy, works the board like he’s the 6^th member of the band. Sasha, who books the shows, puts together line-ups of bands that draw the same crowd which is really important in small clubs. There’s a lot of history on that stage too which makes it even more special.

Is CBGB's really a good place to play?

CB’s is a good place to play for many of the same reasons as Continental. The sound is excellent and they can pack a lot of people in there. The floors are dangerous in heels though, so beware. And stay away from the bathrooms!

What was the most surreal experience you ever had in the band?

I’d have to say the night we opened for the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black at the Westbeth Theatre. The crowd was all keyed up and very responsive. The whole night was like a dream. Of course we’ve had those surreal late-night drives from out of town gigs when the cops pull us over and they’re like, "hey, check it out, we’ve got KISS in the car over here."

You have one CD out "Thirst Things First." What kind of response has the CD gotten so far? How many have you sold?

The response has been very positive. I love when people come to our shows and sing along. I’m not sure how many we’ve sold but I’m pretty sure it’s under a million. We’re working on that.

What will it take for the Detox Darlings to reach the level of success that you deserve?

That’s nice of you to say. We asked our bass player Kenny if he would sell his soul to the devil but apparently we’re a little late. In the meantime we just have to stay focused, play hard and promote the hell out of it. And no, I won’t take off my top!

What’s the game plan for 2003?

We’re in this because we like to play so we’ll be doing lots of shows in and around New York. We’ve got some new songs and we have a live CD coming out through 13^th Street Entertainment. Hopefully the stages will get bigger and the monitors will always work! I’d like this to be the year I say, "Thank you Helsinki, good night!"

Do you think that glam will make a come back in 2003 and be the next big thing?

Yeah, I think music fans are ready for it. I’ve always loved seeing bands that dress up and put on a real show and do songs with strong hooks and killer drums; and of course, loud guitars. Oh, and remember boys, you don’t have to wear eyeliner to be a glam rocker, but it helps.

Does it concern you that the music industry is doing so poorly?

No, I’m confident there will be an upswing. The industry is going through some growing pains. After the boy band craze and the controversy surrounding Napster, it makes sense that there’s some reorganizing going on. What concerns me is that we live in an in-and-out culture and what’s hot today will be out at next week. I love that the Rolling Stones are still touring because to me they epitomize the rock star life.

What are your three favorite CD’s of all time?

That’s a tough question. There’s so much great music out there. But if I had to name three I’d say The Runaways Queens of Noise, Jim Carroll Catholic Boy and Iggy Pop American Caesar.

What other bands have you played in?

I was doing musical theatre when I first came to New York, but I really wanted to start a band. I met Spyder at a party in the East Village in the summer of 1992. The following week we wrote our first song together called Counting the Nights. At the time I had no idea Spyder was a glam rocker from Hollywood and I was totally downplaying the fact that I was a theatre chick. We wrote a lot of songs and did some recording under the name Lavawawa. Then we started performing in small clubs as an acoustic act called Jenna and the Spyder. We did a lot of open mic nights too. Whenever people tell me they want to start singing or form a band I always tell them to do open mic nights and jam sessions. That’s a great way to test your commitment, meet other musicians and hone your skills. Then Chauncey Fabulous from Young & Fabulous called. I became Splendora Glamoure and Spyder was Bentley Bottompincher. It was very glam and very theatrical and a lot of fun. Detox Darlings was formed in May of 1996 and here we are.

What was your favorite concert experience?

As an audience member, my best memories are in small venues. One of my all-time favorite shows was October 7, 2000 at Chicago Blues in New York. We went to see Johnny Johnson play. He was fabulous and the crowd was really into it. Midway through the set he introduces a "special guest" and Keith Richards jumps up to play with them. He says something like "since the drinks are free . . .." It was a great moment.

How did you come up with your bands name?

I’m going to hand this question over to Spyder since he was the brains behind the name.

Spyder: Well since 1910 Fruitgum Co. was already taken I thought back to my Hollywood daze of the late '80s. "No sleep til Detox" was my motto, a twist on Motorhead's No Sleep Til Hammersmith and the Beastie Boys' No Sleep Til Brooklyn. So I took Detox from the old days and got Darlings from the Adam and the Ants song Press Darlings. It's all very tongue in chic in an Absolutely Fabulous kind of way. We have a good time but also take the band very seriously. Especially at last call.

www.detoxdarlings.net

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