Fifth Column
Encyclopedia
Fifth Column was a Canadian
all-women
experimental
post-punk
band from Toronto
, which came about during the early 1980s. They took the name Fifth Column after a military manoeuvre by Francisco Franco
during the Spanish Civil War
, in which nationalist insurrectionists within besieged Republican
Madrid
, called 'the fifth column', would aid the four columns (north, south, east and west) outside the perimeters.
The name of their first full-length recording To Sir With Hate was a play on the theme song from the British school film, To Sir With Love, performed by Lulu
. A song from this LP, "The Fairview Mall Story" was based on true events concerning media publication of the names of men arrested after being entrapped by police and was instrumental in paving the way for the emergence of the queercore
scene. Their video for the song, directed by indie feature film director Steven Rumbelow
, involved 50's images of men cruising in their new cars, shopping malls, and car crashes, was intercut with the band and go-go dancer Bruce La Bruce. A video for the song "Where Are they Now?" was also made, directed by Marc de Guerre.
Their live shows often included films played overtop of the band and a 'go-go' boy dancing. They were frequently accompanied by guest musicians who played instruments as varied as saxophone, trumpet, flute, or violin.
Independent-minded, they released their recordings, including their second full length recording All-Time Queen Of The World, themselves. A video for the song "Like This " from the album was directed by Bruce LaBruce with Fifth Column. The band also appeared on a number of compilations.
In 1992 they released a single, "All Women Are Bitches
", on the independent record label K Records
. Despite being controversial and receiving little airplay, the recording was reviewed by Everett True
and voted "Single Of The Week" in the UK music publication Melody Maker
. This song was included as well on their last full-length recording, 36-C
, also on K Records. The band's last release was in 2002, on the Kill Rock Stars
compilation, Fields And Streams
.
The band performs live in the film named for them, Fifth Column at the Funnel, directed by Toronto
experimental film
maker John Porter. All of the members of the most recent line-up, and some previous members, appear in the G.B. Jones' movie The Yo-Yo Gang
for which the band recorded the theme song.
In 2004 the song "All Women Are Bitches
" was covered and re-imagined by the band Lesbians On Ecstasy
on their self-titled debut album, Lesbians On Ecstasy
, as "Bitchsy"; in 2005, it was remixed and sampled
along with "Bitchsy" by Kids on TV
for the compilation album Giggles In The Dark.
Band members have performed with other groups as well. Caroline Azar has recorded with Kickstand from New York, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
, Greek Buck
and Hidden Cameras from Toronto. Beverly Breckenridge was also a member of Phono-Comb
. G.B. Jones has recorded with the Italian dark ambient
group Mariae Nascenti
, and prior to her involvement with Fifth Column, was part of the synth punk band Bunny and the Lakers. She now performs with Opera Arcana.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
all-women
All-women band
An all-female band is a musical group composed of female musicians exclusively. A distinction is made here with a girl group, in which the members are solely vocalists, though this terminology is not universally followed.-1920s-1940s:In the Jazz Age and during the 1930s, "all-girl" bands such as...
experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, which came about during the early 1980s. They took the name Fifth Column after a military manoeuvre by Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, in which nationalist insurrectionists within besieged Republican
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, called 'the fifth column', would aid the four columns (north, south, east and west) outside the perimeters.
The name of their first full-length recording To Sir With Hate was a play on the theme song from the British school film, To Sir With Love, performed by Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
. A song from this LP, "The Fairview Mall Story" was based on true events concerning media publication of the names of men arrested after being entrapped by police and was instrumental in paving the way for the emergence of the queercore
Queercore
Queercore is a cultural and social movement that began in the mid-1980s as an offshoot of punk. It is distinguished by being discontent with society in general and its rejection of the disapproval of the gay, bisexual, and lesbian communities and their "oppressive agenda"...
scene. Their video for the song, directed by indie feature film director Steven Rumbelow
Steven Rumbelow
Steven Rumbelow , born in Bristol, England, has been a director in the entertainment industry for decades. He began in theatre in London and then started on films. His career has been a melange between media productions and theatre ever since...
, involved 50's images of men cruising in their new cars, shopping malls, and car crashes, was intercut with the band and go-go dancer Bruce La Bruce. A video for the song "Where Are they Now?" was also made, directed by Marc de Guerre.
Their live shows often included films played overtop of the band and a 'go-go' boy dancing. They were frequently accompanied by guest musicians who played instruments as varied as saxophone, trumpet, flute, or violin.
Independent-minded, they released their recordings, including their second full length recording All-Time Queen Of The World, themselves. A video for the song "Like This " from the album was directed by Bruce LaBruce with Fifth Column. The band also appeared on a number of compilations.
In 1992 they released a single, "All Women Are Bitches
All Women Are Bitches
All Women Are Bitches is a song by the Toronto band Fifth Column.The lyrics were written by Caroline Azar and G.B. Jones and the music was composed by Fifth Column. The single was produced by Walter Sobczak at Wellesley Sound Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The cover featured photos from the G.B...
", on the independent record label K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
. Despite being controversial and receiving little airplay, the recording was reviewed by Everett True
Everett True
For the cartoon character, see The Outbursts of Everett True.Everett True is a British music journalist, who grew up in Chelmsford, Essex...
and voted "Single Of The Week" in the UK music publication Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
. This song was included as well on their last full-length recording, 36-C
36-C
- Personnel :*Caroline Azar – vocals, keyboards*Beverly Breckenridge – bass, background vocals*Michelle Breslin – guitar, background vocals*Jena von Brücker – photography, background vocal*Torry Colichio – drums...
, also on K Records. The band's last release was in 2002, on the Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
compilation, Fields And Streams
Fields and Streams
Fields and Streams is a double CD compilation album released by the label Kill Rock Stars on May 7, 2002.-Track list:CD 1# "Memo From The Desk of the Quails - The Quails# "Sex Object - Manda & The Marbles# "Waste of Time" - The Coolies...
.
The band performs live in the film named for them, Fifth Column at the Funnel, directed by Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
experimental film
Experimental film
Experimental film or experimental cinema is a type of cinema. Experimental film is an artistic practice relieving both of visual arts and cinema. Its origins can be found in European avant-garde movements of the twenties. Experimental cinema has built its history through the texts of theoreticians...
maker John Porter. All of the members of the most recent line-up, and some previous members, appear in the G.B. Jones' movie The Yo-Yo Gang
The Yo-Yo Gang
The Yo-Yo Gang is a thirty minute 'exploitation movie' about girl gangs released in 1992 that has become a cult film.Directed by G.B. Jones, this 'no budget film' follows the exploits of two girl gangs, the "Yo-Yo Gang" and the "Skateboard Bitches", as a gangwar erupts between them...
for which the band recorded the theme song.
In 2004 the song "All Women Are Bitches
All Women Are Bitches
All Women Are Bitches is a song by the Toronto band Fifth Column.The lyrics were written by Caroline Azar and G.B. Jones and the music was composed by Fifth Column. The single was produced by Walter Sobczak at Wellesley Sound Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The cover featured photos from the G.B...
" was covered and re-imagined by the band Lesbians On Ecstasy
Lesbians on Ecstasy
Lesbians on Ecstasy is an electronic band from Montreal, Quebec.The band toured across Canada and the U.S. with Le Tigre before the release of their first recording.The first album, the self-titled Lesbians on Ecstasy was released on October 26, 2004...
on their self-titled debut album, Lesbians On Ecstasy
Lesbians on Ecstasy (album)
Lesbians on Ecstasy is the self-titled debut album of Montreal based electropunk group Lesbians on Ecstasy. It contains 11 songs, including a live bonus track. The first single is the track "Tell Me Does She Love The Bass", a reworking of the 1988 Melissa Etheridge hit "Like the Way I Do".This...
, as "Bitchsy"; in 2005, it was remixed and sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
along with "Bitchsy" by Kids on TV
Kids on TV
Kids on TV are a punk-house queercore band based in Toronto.The group consists of John Caffery on bass and vocals, Minus Smile on drums, electronics and vocals, Wolf on guitar and vocals, and Roxy on keyboard and vocals. The band is known for performing outside of the usual venues, such as bars,...
for the compilation album Giggles In The Dark.
Band members have performed with other groups as well. Caroline Azar has recorded with Kickstand from New York, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet were a Juno Award-winning Canadian instrumental rock band, formed in 1984. They remain best-known for the track "Having an Average Weekend," which was used as the theme to the Canadian sketch comedy TV show The Kids in the Hall...
, Greek Buck
Greek Buck
Greek Buck were a Canadian musical duo, consisting of Don Pyle and Andrew Zealley. They are best known for "Spunk", the theme song to the American television series Queer as Folk...
and Hidden Cameras from Toronto. Beverly Breckenridge was also a member of Phono-Comb
Phono-Comb
Phono-Comb was a Canadian instrumental/modern surf rock group that originated in Toronto, Ontario.-History:Phono-Comb first materialized when Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet played with Jad Fair when he was performing in Toronto to promote a film about his band Half Japanese...
. G.B. Jones has recorded with the Italian dark ambient
Dark ambient
Dark ambient is a subgenre of ambient music that features foreboding, ominous, or discordant overtones. Although it had its roots in the 1970s, Dark ambient emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with the introduction of newer, smaller, and more affordable Effects units, synthesizer and sampling technology...
group Mariae Nascenti
Mariae Nascenti
Mariae Nascenti is a one-man industrial music project from Milan, Italy.The creation of Ango Visone, Maria Nascenti has been described as 'dark ambient', 'harsh electronics' and 'ambient industrial'. Songs consist of soundscapes, sometimes employing "found sound", and are frequently accompanied by...
, and prior to her involvement with Fifth Column, was part of the synth punk band Bunny and the Lakers. She now performs with Opera Arcana.
Albums
- To Sir With Hate (1985) Hide Records
- All-Time Queen Of The World (1990) Hide Records
- 36-C36-C- Personnel :*Caroline Azar – vocals, keyboards*Beverly Breckenridge – bass, background vocals*Michelle Breslin – guitar, background vocals*Jena von Brücker – photography, background vocal*Torry Colichio – drums...
(1994) K RecordsK RecordsK Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
EPs
- Fifth Column "Monsieur Beauchamps"/"Boy, Girl."/"Legionnaires" (1983) VOICEPONDENCE RECORDS
Singles
- "All Women Are BitchesAll Women Are BitchesAll Women Are Bitches is a song by the Toronto band Fifth Column.The lyrics were written by Caroline Azar and G.B. Jones and the music was composed by Fifth Column. The single was produced by Walter Sobczak at Wellesley Sound Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The cover featured photos from the G.B...
/Donna" 7" on K RecordsK RecordsK Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
(1992) - "Don't" 7" split single with God Is My Co-PilotGod Is My Co-Pilot (band)God Is My Co-Pilot is a queercore band from New York City that's been recording and playing music since 1991. The two main members of God is My Co-Pilot are vocalist Sharon Topper and guitarist Craig Flanagin...
on Outpunk Records (1994) - "I Love You, But" 7" split single with Trailer Queen on Dark Beloved Cloud Records (1995)
Cassettes
- Work (1989) Hide Records & Tapes; soundtrack for the video by Paulette Philips, cassette onlyCassette cultureCassette culture, or the cassette underground , refers to the practices surrounding amateur production and distribution of recorded music that emerged in the late 1970s via home-made audio cassettes...
release
Compilations
- "The Fairview Mall Story" on J.D.s Top Ten Hit Parade Tape, Hide Records & Tapes (cassette only) (1990)
- "Like This" on Brave New Waves, CBC RecordsCBC RecordsCBC Records is a Canadian record label, owned and operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which distributes CBC programming, including live concert performances in album and digital format....
(1991) - "Yo-Yo" on The Yo-Yo Gang, Bitch Nation Records & Tapes; soundtrack for the film by G.B. Jones (cassette only) (1992)
- "Chewing Gum" on Keep On The Sunny Side: A Tribute to the Carter Family, Amoeba Records (1993)
- "All Women Are Bitches" on International Hip SwingInternational Hip SwingInternational Hip Swing is a compilation CD released by the label K Records in 1993.International Hip Swing gathered together a selection of recordings previously released in the series of "International Pop Underground" 7" 45 vinyl singles....
, K RecordsK RecordsK Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
(1993) - "Erotic Thriller" on Rock Stars KillRock Stars KillRock Stars Kill is a compilation of various artists released by Kill Rock Stars on August 1, 1994. The compilation was released simultaneously as a vinyl LP with accompanying 7″ single, and as a CD.-LP:Side one#Tourettes – "Horse Girl"...
, Kill Rock StarsKill Rock StarsKill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
(1994) - "Don't" on Free to FightFree to FightFree to Fight is a project consisting of a 1995 double album and booklet, and a single later released by Candy Ass Records.The release is subtitled "an interactive self-defense project." The theme of the project is self-defense for women, and it includes records featuring all-women bands and a...
, Chainsaw RecordsChainsaw RecordsChainsaw Records is an independent record label run by Donna Dresch, devoted to Queercore bands and operating out of Portland, Oregon.-History:...
and Candy Ass RecordsCandy Ass RecordsCandy Ass Records is an independent record label run out of Portland, Oregon by Jody Bleyle, a member of the band Team Dresch as well as member of Hazel and formerly of the queercore bands Family Outing and Infinite Xs....
co-release (1995) - "Imbecile" on Fields And StreamsFields and StreamsFields and Streams is a double CD compilation album released by the label Kill Rock Stars on May 7, 2002.-Track list:CD 1# "Memo From The Desk of the Quails - The Quails# "Sex Object - Manda & The Marbles# "Waste of Time" - The Coolies...
, Kill Rock StarsKill Rock StarsKill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
, (2002)
Soundtracks
- Fifth Column at the Funnel, directed by John Porter (1985)
- Work, directed by Paulette PhillipsPaulette PhillipsPaulette Phillips is a Canadian artist based in Toronto. She was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her conceptually oriented art practice combines film and video installation, sculpture, photography and performance. Phillips is a Professor at Ontario College of Art & Design University where she has...
and Geoffrey Shea (1987) - The Troublemakers, directed by G.B. Jones (1990)
- The Yo-Yo GangThe Yo-Yo GangThe Yo-Yo Gang is a thirty minute 'exploitation movie' about girl gangs released in 1992 that has become a cult film.Directed by G.B. Jones, this 'no budget film' follows the exploits of two girl gangs, the "Yo-Yo Gang" and the "Skateboard Bitches", as a gangwar erupts between them...
, directed by G.B. Jones (1992) - My Niagara, directed by Helen Lee (1992)
- A Gun For Jennifer, directed by Todd Morris (1996)
- She's Real, directed by Lucy ThaneLucy ThaneLucy Thane is a documentary filmmaker.One of her most notable works is It Changed My Life: Bikini Kill In The UK in which she followed the 1990s riot grrrl band Bikini Kill while they were on tour in the UK with Huggy Bear....
(1997) - Queercore: A Punk-u-mentary, directed by Scott TreleavenScott TreleavenScott Treleaven is a Canadian artist whose work employs a variety of media including collage, film, video, drawing, photography and installation.-Artwork:...
(1997) - The Law of EnclosuresThe Law of Enclosures (film)The Law of Enclosures is a Canadian drama film, released in 1999. The film was written and directed by John Greyson, and based on the novel The Law of Enclosures by Dale Peck....
, directed by John GreysonJohn GreysonJohn Greyson is a Canadian filmmaker, whose work frequently deals with gay themes. Greyson is also a video artist, writer and activist; he is currently a professor at York University, where he teaches film and video theory and film production and editing.-Background:Greyson was born the son of...
(2000)
Most recent line-up
- G.B. Jones (drums, guitar, vocals)
- Caroline AzarCaroline AzarCaroline Azar is a Canadian director, actor, and playwright of Lebanese Sephardic origin. She was the lead singer, keyboardist and co-lyricist/composer of the band Fifth Column.This experimental all-women punk band began in the mid 1980s in Toronto, Ontario...
(vocals, organ, guitar) - Beverly BreckenridgeBeverly BreckenridgeBeverly Breckenridge is a musician, composer, and actress from Toronto, Ontario. She played bass for the bands Fifth Column and Phono-Comb.In 1986, Beverly Breckenridge joined the post-punk experimental band Fifth Column...
(bass; 1986 -) (also of Phono-CombPhono-CombPhono-Comb was a Canadian instrumental/modern surf rock group that originated in Toronto, Ontario.-History:Phono-Comb first materialized when Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet played with Jad Fair when he was performing in Toronto to promote a film about his band Half Japanese...
)
Previous members
- Kathleen Pirrie Adams (bass; 1983–1984)
- Janet Mascis (guitar; 1983–1985)
- Anita Smith (bass; 1984–1986)
- Charlotte Briede (guitar; 1985–1990)
- David Keyes (of The Polkaholics) (drums; 1989)
- Joel Wasson (drums; 1990–1992)
- Chaz Salmon (guitar; 1991–1992)
- Michelle Breslin (of Sadoceanspacebear) (guitar; 1992–1996)
- Don PyleDon PyleDon Pyle is a Canadian record producer and musician, who has been a member of a number of bands.His first, from 1979 to 1981, was a punk band called Crash Kills Five. They released one EP in 1980, What Do You Do At Night?. It was in this four piece band that he first played with two members, Reid...
(of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet were a Juno Award-winning Canadian instrumental rock band, formed in 1984. They remain best-known for the track "Having an Average Weekend," which was used as the theme to the Canadian sketch comedy TV show The Kids in the Hall...
and Phono-CombPhono-CombPhono-Comb was a Canadian instrumental/modern surf rock group that originated in Toronto, Ontario.-History:Phono-Comb first materialized when Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet played with Jad Fair when he was performing in Toronto to promote a film about his band Half Japanese...
) (drums; 1992–1993) - Donna DreschDonna DreschDonna Dresch is an American punk rock musician, perhaps best known as founder, guitarist and bass guitarist of Team Dresch and the Queen of Grunge....
(of Team DreschTeam DreschTeam Dresch is an American punk band from Portland, Oregon, originally formed in Olympia, Washington, which was initially active from 1993 until 1998. The band made a significant impression on the do-it-yourself movement queercore, which gave voice through zines and music to the passions and...
) (guitar; 1993) - Torry Colichio (drums; 1993–1994)
- Luc Menard (drums; 1995–1996)