Jack Off Jill
Encyclopedia
Jack Off Jill was an American alternative rock
band from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, founded in 1992 by Jessica Fodera
, Tenni Arslanyan, Robin Moulder
, and Michelle Oliver. Though these four young women were the initial founders, twelve members rotated through the group in its lifespan, including Scott Putesky
, guitarist and co-founder of Marilyn Manson
. The band lasted eight years, with only Moulder and Fodera remaining through all its lineups.
Tenni Arslanyan met Jessicka while attending Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida
. They had begun writing songs, but had not yet formed a band when Moulder and Inhell joined them to create the band that would become Jack Off Jill.
Jack Off Jill's first show was opening for fellow Floridian and long time friend Marilyn Manson
and his shock-rock outfit, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids, at a Davie, Florida
night club called The Plus Five Lounge. Manson went on to take the band under his wing. He mentored them, produced their early demos and had them open most of his shows. The female foursome quickly became one of the most exciting and controversial underground bands during their heyday. During this time the band served as the opening act for many female fronted national acts such as Joan Jett
, L7
, Silverfish
, Tribe 8
, Fetchin' Bones and the Lunachicks
. Singer Jessicka's on-stage antics included stripping young men on stage while the band and crowd taunted the exposed fans, as well as covering the audience with spit and real blood and candy. In early 1993, Jessicka performed with Manson's ephemeral side project, Mrs. Scabtree.
In December 1998, Jack Off Jill joined Marilyn Manson on dates through Florida. While playing Club 5 in Jacksonville, Florida
Manson was arrested for violating the town's adult entertainment codes. Jessicka
was arrested for solicitation and offering to engage in lewdness. Both singers were charged with misdemeanors.
Jack Off Jill released several independent records: "Children 5 and Up" (produced by Marilyn Manson), "The Boygrinder Sessions", "Cannibal Song Book", (produced by JOJ and Manson at Studio 13 in Deerfield Beach, Florida) "Cockroach Waltz", and several 7" singles
. It was not until April 7, 1994, when JOJ played a benefit show for Rock Against Domestic Violence with Babes in Toyland
and 7 Year Bitch
at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach that Jack Off Jill caught the eye of record labels. Los Angeles-based Risk Records later signed them in January 1997. The band replaced both Ah Cha Cha and Inhell with new members because the two were not ready to leave Florida. The band released their first national 7" "Girl Scout"/"American Made" in March 1997. On September 9, 1997, their first full-length Sexless Demons And Scars (produced by Gumball
's leader Don Fleming
, who co-produced Hole
's Pretty on the Inside
) was released.
After moderate underground success, touring with Lords of Acid
, and playing to sold-out crowds in 1997 , Jack Off Jill headed to Los Angeles in order to complete 1998's Covetous Creature, a remix EP of songs from Sexless Demons and Scars with the help of SMP (Scott Putesky
), a founding member of Marilyn Manson and new drummer Claudia Rossi. The new manifestation of Jack Off Jill hit the road on a national tour with Psychotica
, joined along the way by Switchblade Symphony
.
The band road-tested new songs in March 1999 when JOJ played four dates on the Marilyn Manson Rock Is Dead Tour after Hole
departed. With Putesky no longer in the guitar position, JOJ enlisted the help of Jessicka's then-boyfriend guitarist Clint Walsh, original JOJ guitarist Michelle Inhell (Oliver), and drummer Norm Block (formerly of Plexi
) for the tour. On July 17, 2000, JOJ released their second full-length CD, Clear Hearts Grey Flowers on Risk Records, that featured a cover by artist Mark Ryden
and was produced by Chris Vrenna of Tweaker and Nine Inch Nails
.
Jack Off Jill played its last show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles in April 2000. They were joined onstage by guitarist Helen Storer of the UK all-girl band Fluffy
(and later of Thee Heavenly Music Association
) and producer Chris Vrenna on drums.
. Moulder began her studio project TCR. Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha and Michelle Inhell's founded Set to Zero. In 2010 Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha began playing with Zombie Queen out of Asheville, NC. Claudia Rossi's founded a group called One Of The Loudest Tragedies Ever Heard. Hellen Storer's new project is Thee Heavenly Music Association
. Putesky is currently working on his solo project, Three Ton Gate
Post-breakup, critics have touted JOJ as "riot-goth legends" and refer to Jack Off Jill's final album as," excellent, yet under-appreciated".
Former members
1 indicates the demos were never released.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, founded in 1992 by Jessica Fodera
Jessicka
Jessicka Addams is an American singer and artist. Best known by her stage name Jessicka, she was the front woman of Florida based band Jack Off Jill and current front for the Los Angeles based band Scarling.-Early life:Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida...
, Tenni Arslanyan, Robin Moulder
Robin Moulder
Robin Moulder is an American musician, best known as being one of the founders of the goth-girl group Jack Off Jill and her subsequent project, TCR. She is a bassist, pianist, and programmer.-History:...
, and Michelle Oliver. Though these four young women were the initial founders, twelve members rotated through the group in its lifespan, including Scott Putesky
Scott Putesky
Scott Mitchell Putesky , more famously known as Daisy Berkowitz, is an American musician, and was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal group Marilyn Manson...
, guitarist and co-founder of Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
. The band lasted eight years, with only Moulder and Fodera remaining through all its lineups.
History
Sunrise, Florida
-Overview:Sunrise is a city in southwestern Broward County, Florida, United States. It was incorporated in 1961 by Norman Johnson – a developer whose World Famous Upside-Down House attracted buyers to what was then a remote area...
. They had begun writing songs, but had not yet formed a band when Moulder and Inhell joined them to create the band that would become Jack Off Jill.
Jack Off Jill's first show was opening for fellow Floridian and long time friend Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (person)
Marilyn Manson is an American musician, artist and former music journalist known for his controversial stage persona and image as the lead singer of the eponymous band Marilyn Manson...
and his shock-rock outfit, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids, at a Davie, Florida
Davie, Florida
Davie is a town in Broward County, Florida, United States. The town's population was 91,992 at the 2010 census.- History :Davie was founded by Jake Tannebaum and Tamara Toussaint. The original name of the town was Zona. In 1909 R.P. Davie assisted then Governor Broward by draining the swamplands...
night club called The Plus Five Lounge. Manson went on to take the band under his wing. He mentored them, produced their early demos and had them open most of his shows. The female foursome quickly became one of the most exciting and controversial underground bands during their heyday. During this time the band served as the opening act for many female fronted national acts such as Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, L7
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
, Silverfish
Silverfish (band)
Silverfish were a UK-based indie rock band, which formed in the late 1980s, and first performed in Camden in 1988. The band split up in 1993....
, Tribe 8
Tribe 8
This article is about the San Francisco based lesbian punk band Tribe 8. See Tribe 8 for Dream Pod 9s post-apocalyptic fantasy role-playing game.Tribe 8 was an all-women outspoken dyke punk band from San Francisco...
, Fetchin' Bones and the Lunachicks
Lunachicks
Lunachicks were an all-women punk rock band from New York City. The band formed in 1987 and has been on hiatus since 2000. Their music was described as "a frenzied mix of punk, metal, pop and rock". The band claimed influences including The Ramones, Kiss, and the MC5.- Biography :Theo Kogan, Gina...
. Singer Jessicka's on-stage antics included stripping young men on stage while the band and crowd taunted the exposed fans, as well as covering the audience with spit and real blood and candy. In early 1993, Jessicka performed with Manson's ephemeral side project, Mrs. Scabtree.
In December 1998, Jack Off Jill joined Marilyn Manson on dates through Florida. While playing Club 5 in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
Manson was arrested for violating the town's adult entertainment codes. Jessicka
Jessicka
Jessicka Addams is an American singer and artist. Best known by her stage name Jessicka, she was the front woman of Florida based band Jack Off Jill and current front for the Los Angeles based band Scarling.-Early life:Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida...
was arrested for solicitation and offering to engage in lewdness. Both singers were charged with misdemeanors.
Jack Off Jill released several independent records: "Children 5 and Up" (produced by Marilyn Manson), "The Boygrinder Sessions", "Cannibal Song Book", (produced by JOJ and Manson at Studio 13 in Deerfield Beach, Florida) "Cockroach Waltz", and several 7" singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
. It was not until April 7, 1994, when JOJ played a benefit show for Rock Against Domestic Violence with Babes in Toyland
Babes in Toyland (band)
Babes in Toyland was an American alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1987. The band was formed by Oregon native Kat Bjelland , with Lori Barbero and Michelle Leon , who was later replaced by Maureen Herman in 1992...
and 7 Year Bitch
7 Year Bitch
7 Year Bitch was an American punk rock band from Seattle, Washington that was active for 7 years, between 1990 and 1997. Their career yielded three albums, and was impacted by the deaths of their guitarist Stefanie Sargent and close-friend Mia Zapata of fellow Seattle punks The Gits.-Career:7 Year...
at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach that Jack Off Jill caught the eye of record labels. Los Angeles-based Risk Records later signed them in January 1997. The band replaced both Ah Cha Cha and Inhell with new members because the two were not ready to leave Florida. The band released their first national 7" "Girl Scout"/"American Made" in March 1997. On September 9, 1997, their first full-length Sexless Demons And Scars (produced by Gumball
Gumball (band)
Gumball was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1990. The original lineup consisted of Don Fleming , Eric Vermillion , and Jay Spiegel . In 1992, a fourth member was added, Malcolm Riviera who had previously played with Fleming and Spiegel in the Velvet Monkeys.-History:After Fleming...
's leader Don Fleming
Don Fleming (musician)
Don Fleming is an American musician, best known for being the frontman of Velvet Monkeys, B.A.L.L., and Gumball.-Biography:...
, who co-produced Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
's Pretty on the Inside
Pretty on the Inside
Pretty on the Inside is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Hole. Released August 23, 1991 on Caroline Records, it was Hole's first major label release after their formation in 1989 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Courtney Love and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
) was released.
After moderate underground success, touring with Lords of Acid
Lords of Acid
Lords of Acid is a Belgian-American post-industrial/techno band, led by musician Praga Khan. They debuted with the controversial new beat single "I Sit on Acid" in 1988...
, and playing to sold-out crowds in 1997 , Jack Off Jill headed to Los Angeles in order to complete 1998's Covetous Creature, a remix EP of songs from Sexless Demons and Scars with the help of SMP (Scott Putesky
Scott Putesky
Scott Mitchell Putesky , more famously known as Daisy Berkowitz, is an American musician, and was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal group Marilyn Manson...
), a founding member of Marilyn Manson and new drummer Claudia Rossi. The new manifestation of Jack Off Jill hit the road on a national tour with Psychotica
Psychotica
Psychotica, formed in 1994 by Pat Briggs and Paul "ENA" Kostabi, were a seminal influence in Industrial Goth, releasing 3 albums to mixed reviews and varied success....
, joined along the way by Switchblade Symphony
Switchblade Symphony
Switchblade Symphony was a San Francisco, United States–based band which was formed in 1989 by composer Susan Wallace and vocalist Tina Root. They released their first album in 1995 on the Cleopatra Records label...
.
The band road-tested new songs in March 1999 when JOJ played four dates on the Marilyn Manson Rock Is Dead Tour after Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
departed. With Putesky no longer in the guitar position, JOJ enlisted the help of Jessicka's then-boyfriend guitarist Clint Walsh, original JOJ guitarist Michelle Inhell (Oliver), and drummer Norm Block (formerly of Plexi
Plexi
Plexi was a gothic noise rock band consisting of Michael Angelos , Michael Barragan , and Norm Block . No other members were ever in the band, though they occasionally utilized a Moog player during live performances. Their original name was Godseed...
) for the tour. On July 17, 2000, JOJ released their second full-length CD, Clear Hearts Grey Flowers on Risk Records, that featured a cover by artist Mark Ryden
Mark Ryden
-Early life:Ryden is the son of Barbara and Keith Ryden, born in Medford, Oregon but raised in Southern California. He has two sisters and two brothers, one a fellow artist named Keyth Ryden....
and was produced by Chris Vrenna of Tweaker and Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
.
Jack Off Jill played its last show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles in April 2000. They were joined onstage by guitarist Helen Storer of the UK all-girl band Fluffy
Fluffy (band)
Fluffy was an all female punk rock band from London active between 1994 and 1998.-Origins:The band formed in 1994 after classmates, Amanda Rootes and Angie Adams were inspired by a jazz-blues singer in one of Old Compton Street's gay cafes. They were attending college in London at the time,...
(and later of Thee Heavenly Music Association
Thee Heavenly Music Association
Thee Heavenly Music Association is the 2001 musical endeavour of Helen Storer and Dave Hillis.-Biography:Thee Heavenly Music Association was formed after Storer, relocated to Los Angeles and hooked up with Jack Off Jill for their final show...
) and producer Chris Vrenna on drums.
Breakup and aftermath
Jack Off Jill officially disbanded in the year 2000. Jessicka founded noise-pop band Scarling.Scarling.
Scarling. is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, whose core members are Jessicka and Christian Hejnal-Addams. The band formed in 2002. They have released two albums, Sweet Heart Dealer and So Long, Scarecrow.-Name:...
. Moulder began her studio project TCR. Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha and Michelle Inhell's founded Set to Zero. In 2010 Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha began playing with Zombie Queen out of Asheville, NC. Claudia Rossi's founded a group called One Of The Loudest Tragedies Ever Heard. Hellen Storer's new project is Thee Heavenly Music Association
Thee Heavenly Music Association
Thee Heavenly Music Association is the 2001 musical endeavour of Helen Storer and Dave Hillis.-Biography:Thee Heavenly Music Association was formed after Storer, relocated to Los Angeles and hooked up with Jack Off Jill for their final show...
. Putesky is currently working on his solo project, Three Ton Gate
Post-breakup, critics have touted JOJ as "riot-goth legends" and refer to Jack Off Jill's final album as," excellent, yet under-appreciated".
Personnel
Original line-up- JessickaJessickaJessicka Addams is an American singer and artist. Best known by her stage name Jessicka, she was the front woman of Florida based band Jack Off Jill and current front for the Los Angeles based band Scarling.-Early life:Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida...
(Jessicka Addams) vocals, lyrics - Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha (Tenni Arslanyan) drums
- Agent Moulder (Robin MoulderRobin MoulderRobin Moulder is an American musician, best known as being one of the founders of the goth-girl group Jack Off Jill and her subsequent project, TCR. She is a bassist, pianist, and programmer.-History:...
) bass, piano (Keyboards on "My Cat" credited as the big white dancing beav) - Michelle Inhell (Michelle Oliver) guitar
Former members
- Lauracet Simpson (Laura Simpson) – drums 1996-1997
- Ho Ho Spade (Jeff Tucci) – guitar 1996-1997
- SMP (Daisy BerkowitzScott PuteskyScott Mitchell Putesky , more famously known as Daisy Berkowitz, is an American musician, and was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal group Marilyn Manson...
/ Scott Putesky) – guitar 1997-1998 - Claudia (Claudia Rossi) – drums 1997-1999
- Clint Walsh – guitar 1999-2000
- Norm Block – live drums 1999-2000
- Helen Storer (Helen Storer) – live guitar 2000
- Chris Vrenna – live drums 2000
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Sexless Demons and Scars Sexless Demons and Scars Sexless Demons and Scars is the debut album by Jack Off Jill. At the time the group consisted of Jessicka, Agent Moulder, Ho Ho Spade, and Lauracet Simpson. Original members Michelle Inhell and Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha left the band a few months prior to the recording.Sexless Demons and Scars was recorded...
|
| 2000 | Clear Hearts Grey Flowers Clear Hearts Grey Flowers Clear Hearts, Grey Flowers is the second full-length album by the band Jack Off Jill. Produced by Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails/Tweaker, it was released in July 2000 on the now-defunct label Risk Records... |
Singles and EPs
- Jack Off Jill, " My Cat/Swollen" ( 7" Rectum Records first pressing black and white 1993)
- Jack Off Jill, " My Cat/Swollen" ( 7" Rectum Records second pressing color 1994)
- Jack Off Jill, "Girlscout/ American Made" ( 7" Risk Records 1996)
- Jack Off Jill, "Covetous CreatureCovetous CreatureCovetous Creature is a remix EP by Jack Off Jill released in 1998.- Track listing :# American Made # My Cat # Poor Impulse...
" (1998)
Compilation
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Humid Teenage Mediocrity 1992–1996
|
Cassette demos
- Children 5 And UpChildren 5 And UpChildren 5 And Up is the first demo, as well as the first release, of American female rock band, Jack Off Jill. The demo was released independently sometime in 1993...
(Seven songs; 1993) - "Boy Grinder Session" (Five songs; 1994)1
- "Cannibal Song Book" (Eleven songs; 1995)
- "Cockroach Waltz" (Seven songs; 1996)1
1 indicates the demos were never released.