Band Documentary Hits Video St

- advertisement -

From Foodchain Records' publicist Michael Taub:

The new expanded edition of Betty Blowtorch And Her Amazing True Life Adventures will premiere during the DVD pre-release party at the legendary Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the final resting place of lead singer Bianca “Butthole” Halstead, on Saturday April 22nd. The festivities will include a massive outdoor screen, stilt walkers, fire-breathers and circus acts with rare classic rock and punk videos preceding the premiere of the new cut of the movie. The entire night will benefit MusicCares MAP Fund; a resource to address addiction recovery and sober living needs of musicians.

The award winning documentary directed by Anthony Scarpa, chronicles the rise of the hard rocking, foul-mouthed female foursome from its roots in the P.M.R.C. targeted band Butt Trumpet, through its tragic ending with the death of leader Halstead. Along the way the film unfolds as a hilarious, head-banging, compelling look at a truly remarkable human being. A rock star and a rock band that overcame impossible odds and could have changed the landscape of the music industry, and the way females are perceived in it, if only given the chance. “Bianca Butthole’s life may have been cut short,” says Scarpa “but the fact that she made it as far as she did is pure triumph.”

The DVD is set for nationwide release on April 25th by influential distributor Cinema Libre who have brought us such memorable documentaries as Robert Greenwald’s Outfoxed, Uncovered: The War On Iraq, and Tim Robbins’ Embedded Live.

"The movie in a sense is being brought home to Bianca,” states Victoria Roberts, Bianca’s sister. “Her wish was to be laid to rest in a place where her friends could all visit her. It is exciting to me that not only her friends and admirers will be there but her former band-mates will be together for the first time since her death.”

For those unaware of the band's history, tensions between the members was at a breaking point on what turned out to be the band’s final tour. It will be five years on December 15th since Bianca tragically died while the band was on the road. Her ashes are buried in her prized KISS lunchbox, with her graveside nearby other rock icons including Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, built in 1899, is also the final resting place for many of the biggest names of the golden age of the silver screen.

"I feel blessed to have had a very close and personal friendship with Bianca that started many years before Betty Blowtorch formed,” says guitarist Sharon Needles. “What an incredible opportunity that we can all literally be together to celebrate her life and the accomplishments of our great band.”

There have been powerful, attractive and talented women rockers in the past, but few managed to captivate and charm both males and females the way this Los Angeles quartet did during its heyday. Betty had a sassy swagger, a sonic supremacy and a junkyard dog-like tenacity never seen before or since from a rock band, female or otherwise.

"Betty Blowtorch was a really special band -- I am proud of all we accomplished together and that our music is still being enjoyed so many years later,” says drummer Judy Molish. “Bianca meant a lot to us and I am glad that we will all come together at the screening to honor her memory."

Bianca Butthole, Blare N. Bitch and Sharon Needles met in 1993 while backing up singer Thom Bone in Butt Trumpet, the first punk rock outfit since the Sex Pistols to sign a worldwide record deal with EMI Records. When Tipper Gore and her cronies sank their teeth into the one Butt Trumpet song sung by guitarist Needles, it gave the band more exposure than misfortune but also caused turmoil within the band. After Butt Trumpet’s lead singer abruptly quit in the middle of a show, Bianca took over lead vocals (that night!) and was an immediate crowd pleaser.

Eager to put Butt Trumpet behind them and follow their own vision, they formed the all girl band Betty Blowtorch in 1998 with new drummer, Judy Molish. Their chemistry and instrumental potency was undeniable. The band’s no-bullshit approach and boisterous live shows were not only wildly entertaining, but their punk meets metal anthems were also catchy as hell and often shamelessly hilarious to boot. With such songs as “Shut Up and Fuck,” “Size Queen and “I Hate Dresses,” Betty said what many girls think but are reticent to say out loud. As the front person for the band, Bianca was known for being sexually aggressive, raw and confident on stage. She often started shows with her famous tag “We’re Betty Blowtorch and we’re from Hollywood and we don’t give a fuck!”

Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan produced the bands controversial debut EP Get Off, whose title song is a loud and angry affront to Bianca’s former stepfather for his molestation. The EP gained them a rabid following around the country. However, the EP received limited airplay being deemed too “hardcore” for many radio outlets.

In 2001 the band finally began garnering the mainstream attention they deserved with their now classic Foodchain Records release Are You Man Enough? Which leads us, inevitably, to the sad part of the Betty Blowtorch saga. The part that turned Anthony Scarpa’s documentary about a vibrant and promising all girl band blazing its own bold trail to success into a tragedy. Amidst a very difficult tour, Bianca was killed in a high-speed automobile accident in New Orleans. A passenger in a car driven by a Chicago-area fan that had befriended the quartet, Bianca died instantly when the car collided with oncoming traffic.

Betty Blowtorch And Her Amazing True Life Adventures is a glimpse into the lives of a group who were as flawed as the rest of us. Childhood abuse, drug use and relationship drama, it is all in there. Betty Blowtorch channeled it all into something magical and fun and bawdy and badass. Betty blew us away, and thankfully, through this movie they’ll continue to do so for decades to come.

Film Threat Magazine named the movie # 1 of its “Top 25 Docs That Rock” and gave the movie four stars, praising, “We dare you not to be moved by the tragic story presented here. Once the film has ended, you can’t help but feel the tremendous loss documented.” The American Film Institute hails the film as “Honest, vulnerable, gritty and unafraid set against the backdrop of one of LA’s most prestigious and infamous punk bands. The film refuses to be become melodramatic even when faced with death. The subject never becomes saintly or smoothed over. Betty Blowtorch And Her Amazing True Life Adventures is a film every music-lover owes it to themselves to see.”

"It's been a long time comin' ... the Betty movie is finally coming out on DVD,” says lead guitarist Blare N. Bitch. “Bianca will be there in spirit and all of her friends and the band will be there too. I'm very proud of Tony Scarpa and the work he did. Come on down and celebrate Bianca and Betty Blowtorch. This is an event not to be missed.”

“This movie is Bianca’s legacy”, concludes Bianca’s sister, Victoria. “I am truly grateful to Anthony Scarpa for being there to document, and taking the time to create a feature film, which I believe shows a glimpse of how incredibly special Bianca was. It means the world to not only myself, but the whole family."

Festivities begin at dusk. Film screens at 8:00 pm. $10 donation at the door. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic dinners/drinks, blankets or low back chairs for the screening. Free parking on cemetery grounds. Hollywood Forever Cemetery is located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. (between Gower and Van Ness) in Hollywood.

For more information, please visit www.bettyblowtorch.net

disonja - 4/25/2006 4:04:18 PM
Analgravy and BJT shame on you.

Pagan_God - 4/23/2006 3:41:03 PM
RIP Bianca

Blobbar - 4/23/2006 3:44:30 AM
analgravy wants the women to vanish from this world so its full of homos like him

The_Space_Lord - 4/22/2006 9:51:21 PM
I like Betty Blowtorch and all but I still can't help how Bianca died in the most stupidest and ironic way.

LAglamrocker - 4/22/2006 2:51:04 PM
What a fantastic night in Hollywood it will be!

analgravy2 - 4/22/2006 10:56:09 AM
Women deserve no part in society whatsoever. They're physically and mentally weaker than men. How many female presidents have there been? End of story. I don't agree with racial discrimination but the bitches have got to go. Chris Cock said it best "Feed me, Fuck me, and shut the FUCK up".

BJT - 4/20/2006 1:49:56 PM
Ok, let me get this straight. We're all supposed to pay respect to this chick who "would have" changed the music industry if given the chance? She had her chance and she blew it. End of story. She sounds like a drugged up alcoholic whore. I highly doubt she would have had any impact on the music industry even if she was still alive today. The only reason why she's getting any attention at all is because she died. America embraces that kind of shit. Their value goes up when they kick. Why, I don't know? In another couple of weeks, this will all be forgotten and will all go away like it never happened. She was given an opportunity that 99% of the musicians (great, talented, REAL musicians) only dream of...and she fucked it up like so many do. Sorry, but I could care less about this and this band. Do any of us really care? There's no talent here. Betty Blowtorch and Bianca Butthole? You've got to be kidding me. And people expect us to take this shit seriously. PLEASE!

judusbishop - 4/20/2006 8:28:27 AM
Dear Fellow Democrat, Are you ready to make history? Thanks to the overwhelming support from thousands of Democrats, who donated to get the literature for the canvass printed and shipped, we're on schedule and gearing up for the unprecedented Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day on April 29th. On that Saturday, thousands of volunteers will recruit hundreds of thousands more Americans committed to changing the status quo this year during door-knocking events in communities across America. Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day. Whether you've never volunteered or you're a seasoned door-knocking veteran, it is crucial that you take part in this historic organizing push.

drumbum666 - 4/19/2006 4:51:16 PM
totally agrees with cash.. but not sure why he is talking about illegals..... go back.... come back legal ya dumb asses!!!! Not welcome....

Blobber - 4/18/2006 6:37:58 PM
I live for the thrill of buying sex from cheap whroes in alleys. The risk of not knowing if you'll get shot or arrested is waht it's all about. No condoms, just barebacking it! I just smoke some sherm, read the Bible, go to the ATM and then cruisin'! I love shooting gism in some diseased wretch's orifice. It makes me feel like God! I am GW! Uberalles! Uberalles! Baby wants to fuck! Do't you fucking look at me! Swallow! Swallow!

skatebum1017 - 4/18/2006 5:24:02 PM
check out www.aftermidnightproject.com or myspace.com/aftermidnightproject

Leather_Lung - 4/18/2006 2:50:45 PM
I love the name Bianca Butthole... I wonder if it was just a handle of if it represented a depraved sexual appetite...

skullbasher - 4/18/2006 10:48:23 AM
I hope she burns those mutherfuckers alive and thier skin melts off thier bones before thier bones hit the ground!!

Totems - 4/18/2006 9:58:06 AM
Pure CRAP!!!!!

chunk - 4/18/2006 9:45:25 AM
More Crap

Username:
Password:
Message:

 

Recent News

Happenings This Week on KNAC.COM

Rush Blue-ray DVD of Their 30th Anniversary Tour Out December 8

Behemoth Announce Evangelia Amerika Tour

Officials Seize Wood Materials At Gibson Guitars

Mötley Crüe and Joe Perry Project Confirm Cross-Canada Tour

Slayer and Megadeth Team Up For "American Carnage" Tour

Scorpions to Launch Massive World Tour Next Year

Soulfly to Begin Recording New Album in Los Angeles

Sign Up Today for Your KNAC.COM Broadband Stream Subscription.