Up-and-coming L.A. band Warpaint may be comprised of four people, all of whom happen to be women, but they are not explicitly a “girl band.” Considering a previous member was, in fact, male, girl power isn’t what they’re about.
“I think it says more about the person asking the question,” says drummer Stella Mozgawa, about journalists who only want to know about the all-girl aspect of the band. “Most people ask us if we’re sick of being asked about being a girl band, which I guess says something.”
Warpaint gives off a decidedly different vibe from the likes of, say, the Slits or Le Tigre, even if they can consider those bands as part of the same heritage. Boasting three vocalists within the quartet, the songs have complex harmonies and layered, trippy guitars — so intricate and palatable that critics are taking notice of the fact that the band has a wealth of talent that outshines their pretty press photo.
All four members of the band participate in the writing process equally. Mozgawa explains, “It wouldn’t be a democratic band if we didn’t try every idea at least once.”
Also aiding in their rise was producer and ex-Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante. Now back from a sprawling European tour, Warpaint is about to take on the East Coast and then the West. How do they do it?
“You know, amphetamines. … Just loads and loads of drugs,” Mozgawa jokes, her voice a laid-back Outback accent. “No, really it’s just about, when I’m home, really being OK with being on the couch all day watching television.”
Stoner rumors
The British press claimed recently that Warpaint made their debut, “The Fool,” with stoners in mind. Mozgawa says this was not the case: “We were just saying that in trying to work out the order of the songs, we listened to them in various states of mind and that happened to be the one that worked out best.”
