Romeo Void

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Romeo Void
Romeo Void (left to right): Frank Zincavage, Aaron Smith, Debora Iyall, Peter Woods, Benjamin Bossi
Romeo Void (left to right): Frank Zincavage, Aaron Smith, Debora Iyall, Peter Woods, Benjamin Bossi
Background information
OriginSan Francisco, California
GenresNew wave, post-punk
Years active1979–1985, 1993, 2004
Labels415, Columbia
Past membersDebora Iyall
Peter Woods
Frank Zincavage
Jay Derrah
Benjamin Bossi
John "Stench" Hanes
Larry Carter
Aaron Smith
Websiteromeovoid.net

Romeo Void was an American

EP. They are best known for the songs "Never Say Never" and "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)"; the latter became a Top 40
pop single.

The band was started at the

Never Say Never resulted in a distribution deal with Columbia Records. The band continued to release music and tour until they broke up in 1985. The members have reunited briefly over the years. Iyall has continued to pursue music as a side project. Iyall has garnered acclaim as a skilled lyricist who explores themes like sexuality and alienation from a female perspective with "searing imagery".[1]

History

1979: Formation

Romeo Void formed at the

the Mutants, Crime, and the Avengers.[2] She also formed the Mummers and Poppers, a punk parody band that covered 1960s tunes with guitarist Peter Woods, Charles Hagan and drummer Jay Derrah, .[1][4] Iyall was originally hesitant to perform because she was overweight: "After seeing Patti Smith, I still had it in my mind that you had to be skinny to be up there [on stage], but after going to the Mabuhay [...] you just do whatever you want, be whoever you want, just make it happen."[2]

Bassist Frank Zincavage met Iyall at the SF Art Institute; the two hit it off and discussed putting a band together. They formed one with Woods and Derrah a few weeks later,[4] drawing inspiration from the "burgeoning local punk and post-punk scenes".[1] Iyall recruited Woods because she enjoyed playing with him in the Mommers and Poppers. "[It] seemed only natural that we invite Peter Woods to join us [... He] played clean and was a natural on rhythm guitar."[3] Romeo Void officially formed on Valentine's Day in 1979. According to Iyall, the name Romeo Void referred to "a lack of romance" and came to mind after they saw a local magazine with the headline "Why single women can't get laid in San Francisco."[1] The name "means there are not romantic notions here — and there shouldn't be," Iyall told an interviewer: "We are about reality, not the myths created by other artists."[5]

The band practiced in Iyall's flat in

do-it-yourself thing should encompass all the different kinds of emotions, and all the different colors. [...] I was proud of being American Indian, so I purposely never bleached my hair blond."[2]

1980–1982: It's a Condition, Benefactor, and mainstream success

The band became busy playing shows at clubs and warehouses around San Francisco,[3] and quickly became popular.[2] Saxophonist Benjamin Bossi was added to the lineup as an "accident" when Iyall met him while he worked in the New York City Deli on Market Street in San Francisco.[4] The group released their first single, "White Sweater", which consisted of the title track and a cover of Jerry Lordan's popular instrumental composition "Apache", in February 1981 on a recently founded local label called 415 Records.[1] They worked on the recording of their debut album, It's a Condition, with producer David Kahne. Before recording began, Derrah left the band and was replaced by John "Stench" Hanes, who had previously played with Pearl Harbor and the Explosions.[1] Romeo Void's debut was critically acclaimed upon its release through 415 in July 1981,[1][5] and introduced Romeo Void's "unique blend of jazz, funk, rock and confrontational poetry".[6] AllMusic writer Stewart Mason later heralded it as one of the "masterpieces of American post-punk".[1] Indie labels were enthusiastic with promotions and the band embarked on several nationwide tours.[7] Eventually Hanes left the band, leaving Larry Carter to fill the drummer position.[8]

The sudden surge in popularity was disorienting to Iyall. "It was frightening: we played a college in

Never Say Never EP in January 1982. The title track became (arguably) their best-known song and has remained synonymous with the band ever since. The song was also featured in the 1984 romantic teen drama Reckless. Additionally, the success of the single directly led to 415 Records signing a deal with Columbia Records, which elevated the indie label's roster to major-label status.[1] Romeo Void released their second album, entitled Benefactor, in November 1982.[9] The album appeared at No. 119 on the Billboard 200.[10] Benefactor was noticeably more commercial sounding than previous endeavors; the music was made more danceable and swearing was removed on the song "Never Say Never".[9] The different approach in the sound resulted in comparisons to Blondie,[8] which AllMusic writer William Ruhlmann suggested was a deliberate attempt by Columbia.[9] Iyall stated that there was more pressure to write sexually laced lyrics for Benefactor: "I do like to be provocative, and I definitely have access to my sexuality, and as a topic I find it ripe, but I wasn't ever going to be a sex-pot diva, so that was kind of odd." She also said there was pressure to produce more singles.[7]

1983–present: Instincts, break-up, and post-band endeavors

A third and final album was again helmed by David Kahne, which AllMusic writer Stewart Mason speculated was a "reaction against the more commercial sound of Benefactor.

Crawdaddy! writer Denise Sullivan stated that the label spoke to Iyall about losing weight, but she subsequently refused.[13] In 2010, Iyall declined to discuss the issue, but added that she may not be taking full responsibility in the matter.[7]

Iyall released a solo album entitled

Paul Williams in June 2009,[16] and performed at a concert honoring 415 Records later that September.[17] They released an album entitled Stay Strong in 2010.[13]

Drummer Larry Carter died in August of 2021, from what is thought to be heart complications.[18] Saxophonist Benjamin Bossi died of complications from Alzheimer's disease on December 13, 2022, at the age of 69.[19]

Music

"Never Say Never"
The band's most popular song, "Never Say Never" exhibits a "sexy yet sneering and detached essence" in what has been hailed one of the greatest lines in rock history: "I might like you better if we slept together".[20]
"A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)"
"A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)" was the group's highest-charting single. AllMusic called it "a smart, sexy, and spellbinding slice from one of the best and most creative and overlooked artists of the mid-'80s."[21]
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Romeo Void has generally been classified as a

St. Petersburg Times wrote that they "had no trouble creating a signature sound for [themselves with a] scratchy guitar, soulful sax, [and] tight, precise drums."[22] The New York Times stated that they sounded like "an art-school band, with its textural complexity [and] touches of jazz and funk"[25] Saxophone player Benjamin Bossi has been observed as the ingredient that "set the band apart" and showed a "talent for both improvisation and arrangement."[26] Alan Niester, writing for The Globe and Mail, said that he weaved "in and out [...] like a snake charmer" and reminded him of Andy Mackay, a saxophonist who played with Roxy Music.[23]

Liam Lacey, also writing for The Globe and Mail, described Iyall's voice as "sultry [and] sexy",

Learning To Crawl so now I don't care if people want to make comparisons."[27] After a live show in 1982, Niester contended that she was the weakest part of the group and had the "vocal range of an automobile horn".[23] Billboard writer Kathy Gillis wrote after a concert two years later that Iyall exhibited a "dramatic range that, while not extreme in either direction, was touching."[12]

Patti Smith had a great influence on Iyall.[28] "[She was] someone who was both a rock singer and a poet," she said. "She combined things I was interested in. Plus, she wasn't a trumped-up sex symbol. She was herself on stage. That appealed to me. It looked like something I could do. You didn't have to look like all the other singers."[4] Iyall was highly critical of the music of the day and found inspiration in other mediums. "I hate rock and roll right now. It's turned into some new kind of stupid religion... I'd rather listen to Billie Holiday, maybe Tom Waits. Actually, I'll admit I like The Bangles – they have a great sound. But I'd just as soon read novels or paint pictures as listen to music. I love language – plain speech, used in an enigmatic, subliminal way; I'm not much tied to the literal."[27]

Lyrics

Iyall was observed by Mother Jones to be among a new group of female fronted rock bands that displayed a "tough, wry, street-wise, [and] cynical" attitude and sought to redefine the role of women in rock music.[29] She developed a sizable following for her writing that covered topics like "frustrated desire [and] sexually motivated rage" from a female perspective.[25] Critics praised her lyrics for their "searing imagery",[1] "seething poetics",[13] and "darkly intelligent lyrics"[6] "My approach was always that I had something to say, I had a point of view," Iyall said, commenting on her outspokeness. "I remember seeing Penelope from the Avengers at the Mabuhay Gardens and thinking, I can do that. I have something to say."[7]

Romeo Void's best known song is "Never Say Never", which contains the famous line "I might like you better if we slept together."[7] AllMusic writer Heather Phares has argued that Iyall's "teasing, existential musings [...] predated and predicted the aloof yet frank sexuality of early- and mid-'90s artists such as Elastica and Liz Phair". Phares concluded that the song was "a subversive, influential classic" and "one of new wave's most distinctive and innovative moments. "[20] The song has been covered by many artists,[13] among them are Queens of the Stone Age, Amanda Blank and Xiu Xiu.[30][31][32] The song "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)", their highest-charting single,[10] was reportedly written as a response to Michael Jackson's hit song "Billie Jean", but can also be seen as a tribute to women who have experienced traumatizing events.[21] Iyall also wrote songs that touched on themes like social alienation ("Undercover Kept") and generation gaps ("Chinatown").[28]

Band members

Classic line-up
  • Debora Iyall – vocals (1979–1985, 1993, 2004)
  • Peter Woods – guitar (1979–1985, 1993, 2004)
  • Frank Zincavage – bass (1979–1985, 1993, 2004)
  • Benjamin Bossi – saxophone (1980–1985, 1993; died 2022)
  • Aaron Smith – drums, percussion (1984–1985, 1993, 2004)
Previous members
  • Jay Derrah – drums, percussion (1979–1981)
  • John "Stench" Hanes – drums, percussion (1981)
  • Larry Carter – drums, percussion (1981–1984; died 2021)
Live musician
  • Sheldon Brown – saxophone (2004)

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[33] 		CAN
[34] 		NZ
[35]
It's a Condition
  • Released: July 1981
  • Label: 415
  • Formats: LP, MC
 — — 46
Benefactor
  • Released: August 6, 1982
  • Label: Columbia/415
  • Formats: LP, MC
 119 91 —
Instincts
  • Released: October 1, 1984
  • Label: Columbia/415
  • Formats: LP, MC
 68 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title Album details
Warm, in Your Coat
  • Released: 5 May 1992
  • Label: Columbia/Legacy
  • Formats: CD, MC
A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)
Never Say Never: Hits, Rarities & Gems
  • Released: 19 September 2006
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Formats: CD

EPs

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[33] 		NZ
[36]
Never Say Never
  • Released: December 1981
  • Label: Columbia/415
  • Formats: 12", MC
 147 18
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[37] 		US Dance
[38] 		US Main
[39] 		AUS
[40] 		CAN
[41] 		NZ
[36]
"White Sweater" 1981 — 31[A] — — — — It's a Condition
"Never Say Never" 1982 — 17 27 — — — Benefactor
"A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" 1984 35 11 17 74 76 27 Instincts
"Say No" — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. ^ "White Sweater" charted on the Dance Club Songs chart as a cut from the It's a Condition album alongside "Myself to Myself" and "Talk Dirty (to Me)".

References

  1. ^
    All Media Network
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bielawski, Toby (January 1, 2003). "Punk Prophets". East Bay Express. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-595-37007-1
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 0-312-16968-X
    .
  5. ^ a b Riegel, Richard (December 1982). "Romeo Void: Benefactor". Creem. Retrieved September 14, 2019 – via Rock's Backpages.
  6. ^ a b c Payes, Robert (2011). "Romeo Void biography". Trouser Press. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Evans, Kirsty (April 14, 2010). "Debora Iyall Fills a Void". East Bay Express. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  8. ^
    ISBN 1-84195-335-0
    .
  9. ^
    All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  10. ^
    All Media Guide, LLC
    . 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  11. ^
    All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Gillis, Kathy (December 1984). "Talent in Action: Romeo Void". Billboard. No. 90th Anniversary Special Edition.
  13. ^
    Crawdaddy!
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  14. All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  15. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (February 2004). "Jonathan Bernstein's Aerial View of America". The Guardian. p. 98.
  16. ^ Rolling Stone staff (June 23, 2009). "Rockers Unite for Benefit Supporting Crawdaddy! Founder Paul Williams". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  17. ^ Selvin, Joel (October 4, 2009). "S.F. concert in honor of 415 Records". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  18. ^ "Instagram".
  19. ^ Vaziri, Aidin. "Benjamin Bossi, saxophonist for S.F. new wave band Romeo Void, dies at 69". SF Chronicle Datebook. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  20. ^
    All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  21. ^
    All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  22. ^
    St. Petersburg Times
    . p. 21.
  23. ^ a b c Niester, Alan (November 1982). "Romeo Void's 'post-punk' Draws a Blank". The Globe and Mail.
  24. All Media Guide, LLC
    . Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  25. ^ a b Palmer, Robert (August 1982). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. 19.
  26. ^ a b Mariotte, Michael (November 1984). "Romeo Void". The Washington Post. p. B4.
  27. ^ a b c d Lacey, Liam (November 1984). "Riff Rap: Lead singer of Romeo Void speaks out on rock and roll". The Globe and Mail.
  28. ^ a b c Harrington, Richard (September 1982). "Lovelorn Translator, Loveless Romeo Void". The Washington Post.
  29. ^ Talbot, David (July 1981). "New Wave Rockettes!". Mother Jones. 6 (6). Foundation for National Progress: 7.
  30. ^ Roth, Kristin (September 29, 2000). "Queens of the Stone Age Talk Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  31. ^ Elan, Priya (October 3, 2009). "Why we're Gaga for Amanda Blank". The Guardian. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  32. ^ "Never Say Never, by Xiu Xiu". XIU XIU. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Romeo Void – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. July 17, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  36. ^ a b "charts.org.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "Romeo Void – Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "Romeo Void – Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  39. ^ "Romeo Void – Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  40. ISBN 0-646-11917-6
    .
  41. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. July 17, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2022.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Romeo_Void&oldid=1210400996"