In 1982, a new all-girl garage punk rock band emerged from Los Angeles, founded by the late Paula Pierce. The Pandoras gained huge success and even became one of the first all female bands to be signed to a major label. More than 40 years later, her best friends Melanie Vammen, Sheri Weinstein, Karen Basset, and Natalie Grace Sweet continue carrying on her legacy and keeping the same energy that they’ve always had. I got to talk with them before their show at The Regent, and they reflected on special memories growing up together in the band, future plans, and why The Pandoras will always continue playing.
Dying Scene (Spike): I just want to thank you guys for everything you’ve given us throughout the years! Especially for women in the scene, you all are inspirational. You guys have faced lots of turmoil through the years, and have lost many members due to different things. Do you feel that your current line-up captures the true essence of The Pandoras?
Melanie: We are the music, we are the band, we recorded all the music. Paula (Pierce) and Kim (Shattuck) are our family. They’re our sisters, and the best friends in the whole world, we love and honor them. This is the music that we love, like I’ve played it my entire life. It’s so special that we still get to do this. We do it for us, we do it for them, and for everybody that loves our music.
Karen: As far as us carrying on the legacy of The Pandoras, we feel that as long as people want to come out and see us, we’re willing to come and play for them. We want to keep it going and we know Paula would love us doing this. We all got along great with her, she was wonderful. We became adults in this band so it’s pretty special.
Sheri: I agree. When Paula died, and Kim, it was the most horrific thing ever. They were our band sisters and our family. The fact that we still get to play all of Paula’s music and have fans out there singing the songs, it just means so much to all of us.
How significant was Rodney On The ROQ’s support for you guys in the early days?
Sheri: Huge. Huge. Before I was in the band I used to hear The Pandoras on KROQ all the time, so when I got the chance to be in the band it was kind of a dream come true because I was already a fan.
Melanie: Yeah, he played us first and he just kept playing us and it really caught on. Especially in Los Angeles at first, we played a lot of really amazing shows and tours. We got to tour with Nina Hagen and play with The Cramps and Iggy Pop, all kinds of cool people.
Karen: I remember being at home, because I was still living at home when I joined The Pandoras. Melanie and I got in the band and started recording right away, and one of the coolest memories that I have is hearing our recording played on Rodney’s show. I remember I had my little radio and I was tuned into his show, and he announced us and played our song. There is nothing like that. You will never experience that again, the first time is pretty darn special. Rodney was very important to us, obviously.
Tonight you get to play with another legendary band at their farewell show, TSOL. How does it feel to be on this lineup?
Melanie: Oh my god yes! Yes! We have played with them in the past years ago too. And The Zeros. It feels great.
Natalie: This is awesome, like this lineup is sick. I’m super excited. The Zeros are one of my favorite bands too. All of my friends from the East Coast are like “I can’t believe that’s one show”… I’m like “Yeah, just a Friday night in L.A. you know.”
In a few months you’ll be playing Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise. I’m sure you’re excited to play, but I want to know who you guys are excited to see? There’s so many awesome bands.
Sheri: Buzzcocks.
Big Star
Melanie: There’s so many. Our friends are Redd Kross of course. The Courettes, The Black Lips.
Natalie: The Ravonettes.
Melanie: Oh The Ravonettes! The Surfajettes.
Karen: Palmyra (Delran).
Melanie: Palmyra yes. Palmyra’s my bandmate. Karen and I played the cruise last year, it was amazing. It’s like nothing else. It’s and incredible and special thing to be apart of.
How do you think the garage rock and punk scene has changed throughout the years?
Melanie: As far as the garage scene, there’s a garage scene now. It’s really great. We’ve played with some of these bands, and it reminds me back when we were doing it. They sound like all the 60’s garage bands, it’s really good to see that’s still around. The punk scene, I was never in the early punk scene. That was more Paula’s time. She had a Darby Crash burn on her wrist and stuff like that. But I’m sure it’s changed somewhat, but it’s pretty amazing to see so many of the old bands that are still playing.
What advice can you give to a young punk girl like me trying to make it in today’s modern scene?
Karen: Join a band. No matter ho good you are, join a band. You will get better exponentially and immediately. You will have deadlines, rehearsals, people expecting you to show up knowing your songs. Just do it. Just join a band.
Sheri: When I got in the band, I had only been playing drums for like 3 years, and 2 of those years I was away at college. So it’s kind of like, just do it!
What can we expect from The Pandoras in the future?
Sheri: We’re going to Europe!
Melanie: Yup, we’re getting ready for our tour in May of Europe
Karen: And we just talked to somebody a few minutes ago about maybe going to Shanghai, China, and Japan. So that’s in the works. Mexico City again, we love Mexico City, our first time there was amazing.
Melanie: Yes, they are amazing. Just more touring and recording, all that fun stuff!
Stay updated with The Pandoras by following them on Instagram @thepandorasofficial. Check out our video interview!
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