As documented else where at the website this month, Bianca Butthole passed away on December 15, 2001 while on tour with her band BETTY BLOWTORCH. So, a month later a totally rad and ass-kicking benefit took place - the money going to Bianca's family.
The line up for this fabulous night: Superbees, Motochrist, The Pleasure Seekers, Texas Terri and the Stiff Ones, Coyote Shivers, Faster Pussycat, and an all-star band that BETTY BLOWTORCH guitarist Blare N. Bitch put together with drummer Jeremy Thompson of Nashville Pussy, guitarist
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Frank Meyer of Street Walkin' Cheetahs, and Coyote Shivers bassist Casper (also of The Pleasure Seekers).
Right before Faster Pussycat hit the stage a video was shown with Bianca talking and giving a mini tour of her pad. There was footage of Betty Blowtorch on the road, and stuff like that.
Okay, so, the first set of songs performed by Blare's all-star band was covers, with Texas Terri singing a Motorhead song as well as an Iggy Pop song. Jennifer 'Precious' Finch was also in the house, playing guitar and singing the old L7 ditty "American Society". For the second set of music by this all-star band, Precious stayed onstage to rock hard on BETTY BLOWTORCH songs. Taime Down sang "Shut Up and Fuck". And then, for "Hell On Wheels" Taime, Texas Terri, and a few other people got up onstage and did background vocals. For the finale, grounded fireworks shot white sparks into the air.
And it might surprise some of you to learn also on stage with Blare was none other than this here website's rad designer, Punky. Long story short, Punky, whom is a guitar player, was talking with Bianca just after the other two members of BETTY BLOWTORCH quit the band (see REVIEWS page for more info on this BB story), and Punky was a prime candidate to become a new member of BETTY BLOWTORCH. So, Blare and Punky exchanged phone numbers after Bianca's death, and then Blare invited Punky to play four songs at the big rock show benefit.
Okay, so the rock stars were not only found onstage that night. Lemmy of Motorhead was also milling about and rocking out at the Dragonfly. Oh, and Bianca was there too. A life-size cardboard cut out of Bianca was onstage all night. She helped with background vocals; she and Texas Terri did rock star posing...you know, spiritually, anyway. Bianca's parents were present as was her sister Vicki. And they actually DID bring Bianca to the show - that is; her ashes, which are kept in a KISS lunch box. It was a far fucking out night. Standing room only. Sweaty bodies and dry ice galore.
Actually, I wasn't even there. Couldn't make the rock show. But, I insisted that Punky call me from the club in between bands and give me play by plays - and so that I could hear the music. I heard Precious singing the L7 song. I heard part of a Faster Pussycat song, and also the rowdy show-stopper "Hell On Wheels".
I felt like I was there, too. The only thing Punky didn't do was leave me connected to her phone line while she was playing onstage. She had to draw the line somewhere, I guess. I work the graveyard shift, so I was wide awake at 3am (Mountain Time) - Punky called me so that I could ask all my questions about the fabulous night. She got me a BETTY BLOWTORCH tee shirt, and a very cool flyer for the show.
Bianca Butthole will rock on as long as there are websites like this to keep her alive. Remember, Bianca Forever.
The Memorial Rock Show for Bianca in New York:
Club Luxx (256 Grand Street in Brooklyn) on February 12, 2002
Featuring sets by: Supagroup, Angel Rot, Bad Wizard, Bantam (with Gina of the Lunachicks), Candyass, Firegods (with Sean of Toilet Boys), The Humanoids, and the Munts. Nashville Pussy bassist Tracy Almazon will reunite her band Helldorado for the show, and it will feature Blare N. Bitch as special guest.
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