Girl Monstar

Girl Monstar were an all female Australian rock band which formed 1988 with the line-up of Damian Child on bass guitar; Anne McCue on lead guitar and vocals; Sherry Valier (aka Sherry Rich) on vocals and rhythm guitar (ex-Cactus Fever); and Sue World on drums and vocals (ex-The Wet Ones). Both of their singles, "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell" (1989) and "Joe Cool" (1990), topped the Australian Independent charts. They issued one album, Monstereo Delicio, in July 1992 on Timberyard Records. Child was replaced by Janene Abbott but the group disbanded in 1993. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound "trash pop style mixed tough guitar riffs with strong harmonies". Valier as Rich, is a country rock artist and has issued solo material as well as performing in bands. McCue is also an alternative country artist, she relocated to Nashville and has released several solo albums.

Girl Monstar
Left to right: Damian Child, Sue World, Sherry Valier, Anne McCue; 1990
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genresrock
Indie rock
Years active1988 (1988)–1993 (1993)
LabelsTimberyard
Associated actsObscure Alternatives, Cactus Fever, Vertigo, The Screaming Tribesmen, Wet Ones, The Mudcakes
Past membersDamian Child
Anne McCue
Sherry Valier (aka Sherry Rich)
Ritchie Hine
Sue World
Janene Abbott

History

Girl Monstar formed in 1988 in Melbourne with the line-up of Damian Child (Feline Touch) on bass guitar and vocals; Anne McCue (Vertigo) on lead guitar, slide guitar and vocals; Sherry Valier (aka Sherry Rich)(Obscure Alternatives, Cactus Fever) on lead vocals, harmonica and rhythm guitar; and Ritchie Hine on drums. After a few months Hine left the band to join the newly formed Screaming Tribesmen and was replaced by Sue World (Wet Ones).[1][2] The group signed with Timberyard Records and in October 1989 issued their debut double-A-sided single, "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell".[1][2] Both tracks are written by Valier.[3][4]

Early in 1990 Girl Monstar supported the Australian leg of a tour by Danish hard rock group, D. A. D., which was followed by a similar support for United States heavy metal band, Skid Row.[1] Later that year they issued a second single, "Joe Cool", which is also written by Valier.[5] Both of their singles, "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell" and "Joe Cool", topped the Australian Independent charts.[6] The single "Joe Cool", was produced by Kevin 'Cavemen' Shirley.[7] The band provided a support show for The Buzzcocks and then The Ramones.[1]

In July 1992 Girl Monstar released their debut album, Monstereo Delicio, which was produced by Paul Kosky (not drowning, waving) and Jedd Starr.[1][2] After it was recorded but before it was issued Child was replaced on bass guitar by Janene Abbott.[1][2] The group disbanded in early 1993.[1] Valier has a recording career as a country rock artist, Sherry Rich, which has included an album recorded with members of Wilco. She formed the groups, Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels and Sherry Rich and Courtesy Move.[1] Rich performed as part of The Grapes with Ash Naylor on guitar, and from 2004 in The Mudcakes, which included former Girl Monstar bandmate, Sue World and Rich's husband, Rick Plant. Anne McCue is based in Nashville and has a recording career as an alternative country solo artist. In 2010, Girl Monstar were featured in 'Rock Chicks' - an exhibition held at Melbourne's Arts Centre, which highlighted the achievements of women in the Australian music scene.[8]

Members
  • Damian Child – bass guitar, vocals (1988–92)
  • Ritchie Heine – drums (1988)
  • Anne McCue – lead guitar, vocals (1988–93)
  • Sherry Valier – lead vocals, guitar (1988–93)
  • Sue World – drums, vocals (1988–93)
  • Paddy Chong – bass guitar (1991)
  • Janene Abbott – bass guitar (1992–93)

Sources:[1][2]

Discography

Albums

Singles
  • "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell" – Timberyard (BUZZ011) (October 1989)
  • "Joe Cool" – Timberyard (BUZZ006) (June 1990)

Other appearances

See also

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Girl Monstar'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 9 August 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  2. Holmgren, Magnus. "Girl Monstar". Passagen.se. Australian Rock Database. (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. "'Surfing on a Wave of Love' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  4. "'He's Hell' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  5. "'Joe Cool' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. Rovi. "Girl Monstar – Music Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  7. Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, Discography Archived 17 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Rock Chicks cement their place in history, 10 Sep 2010, The Arts Centre
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