| Archived Interviews |
This website exists today only because courageous, intelligent and daring women back in the 1970's decided to break the rules of society. They rallied together under the banner of the punk movement. Many of them are no longer with us. This page is dedicated to their memories. Because many people have written to me to suggest other people to interview and wondering how I choose the women I interview, I want to explain my criteria for inclusion in this section. They are: 1) You must be a woman - or have been one at the time. 2) You must have been active in the L.A. punk scene before 1980. By active, I mean actively participating by frequently going to shows, taking photos, writing, being in a band, supporting the scene in some way. This section was never intended to be a "celebrities only" section. It's an oral history of the early scene from the female perspective. 3) You must be able to send me your answers via email. I don't talk on the phone. I have previously sent interviews via email to women who would seem to be obvious choices for inclusion but they have either not responded or have told me they are working on it and then they forget about it (you know who you are). So if you know someone who belongs in this interview series, remind them to finish up their interviews and send them in. Everyone gets the same eight questions. No space or time limitations. Since I think that women's voices have already been over-edited by others, I reserve the right to refuse to edit these women's responses. Instead, I intend to publish them in their entirety, raw and unexpurgated. LET THE WOMEN SPEAK! |
conducted June 2007 |
Penelope Houston has remained active in music for over 30 years now. Without a doubt, Penelope is one of the most respected performers to come out of the early West Coast punk rock scene and is considered an icon and role model by many. I can't recall when I first saw her with the Avengers but I do recall being struck by her cool, tough girl image, so neatly captured in the Bev Davies photo of her and Brad Kent. She had extremely short, blond hair, almost boyish, which contrasted with her pretty features. Back in 1977 and early 1978 she and her San Francisco based band were favorites with the L.A. punks, who adopted Penelope as an honorary Los Angeleno. To make matters more confusing, the Avengers recorded a classic single (We Are The One b/w Car Crash & I Believe In Me) on L.A. based Dangerhouse Records. According to the Wikipedia entry on Penelope, she was born in L.A., so that should settle any argument that she doesn't belong in this section! The Avengers were always warm towards the Hollywood punks. She was a gracious hostess and allowed me and Nickey Beat to use her place as a crash pad when we visited San Francisco. I had a chance to reconnect with Penelope a few years ago when she played with the Avengers in L.A. Penelope still performs with strength and conviction and her shows are definitely worth checking out. And so without further ado, Ms. Penelope Houston. |
1. What was/is your contribution to the punk community?
over the world. 2. Which artist, band concert and/or show had the most impact on your life?
such an amazing document of poetry, female fierceness and androgyny. She was definitely the one who turned my head. I've met her a few times over the years and she's always quite dismissive, but Lenny Kaye has been supportive of the Avengers and my work.
Warfield, in SF. Mind-boggling! 3. What was the role of women in the early punk scene? It seems like there was more freedom and fewer rules in 1977-79, before hardcore took over the mantle of punk. The early scene embraced all comers, be they female, gay, non-white or even older. There was no dress code. Women were pioneers along with everyone else involved. I noticed no separation. I knew women who were musicians, bookers, managers, photographers, visual artists, film makers, journalists, label owners... etc.
It's quite huge. Now I'm playing Avengers shows (with original guitarist Greg Ingraham) again it has loomed into the forefront. Everyone goes through a phase of socialization, usually in their late teens / early twenties when they deeply want to be part of a larger family. I got lucky that I was 19 in 1977 and interested in art and music. Being on the breaking wave of the cultural movement was very exciting. It exposed me to live performance, which is what I've taken with me through my life. It just won't go away.
Quieter music, in the singer/songwriter vein. The Moore Brothers, Jesse Sykes. Songs with strings on them. Neko Case, Sufjan Stevens. 6. Do you have any funny or interesting stories to share? My friends that lived in LA and I always wanted to start girl gangs. Carla Maddog and I once made up a rule that members must pee outside at least once a day. Guys do it all the time, why not us? I'm not sure this idea went very far. 7. Are there any punk women from the early scene that you feel have not been adequately recognized? Philomena Winstanley of Slash Magazine. She was always in Claude's shadow but was very welcoming to bands like the Avengers. 8. What is something we should know about you that we probably don’t know? I am an excellent cook, and dreamed of having my own cooking show. Also was co-host on a hilarious public access cable show in SF in the 80's called DogHouse. http://www.swandogtv.com/video9.html |
| 2005 photo of Penelope by Nellery Hill |
| The Avengers perform "We Are The One" live in Germany, 2006 |
| Dangerhouse 45 Cover |
| Penelope Houston and Brad Kent - May 26, 1979 Janus Theatre, West 4th Avenue Vancouver Photo courtesy of Bev Davies. |
| Two views of Penelope Houston. |
Penelope Houston's Official Website