In 1994, Vanessa Johnson and Patti Rothberg both attended Parsons School of Design. She studied graphic design, Patti Illustration. One day the two students were in the computer center and Patti noticed a Guitar magazine sticking out of her backpack.
"Hi! You play?" asked Patti.."Yes! Exclaimed Vanessa. At the time, Patti was assembling an all girl Rod Stewart cover band. She recruited Vanessa who played both guitar and fiddle for this band, which was affectionately called "Rod Stew". They discovered that they both attended The National Guitar Summer Workshop (N.G.S.W) the same years! (Though not the same months so they just missed each other. Incredible synchronicity!)
It was later that November that Patti was busking in the subway, the infamous spot which became the title of her successful debut CD, Between the One and the Nine. It was then when she met Dave Greenberg, a recent NYU grad who studied production and ended up producing 1&9!! They were in a guitar repair shop when Patti and Dave too realized they had met at NGSW! It was quite something. After the record deal, Patti toured the US and Internationally supporting what was to become a gold record. then in September of 1997, Patti met Freddie Katz.
Freddie was an NYC rock n roll producer! The two met at a now defunct club, Acme Underground. After seeing her favorite all girl band "C.C.F.H" "The Cycle Sluts from Hell" Patti became inspired by girl hard rock bands. C.C.F.H. had a bit in common with The Beastie Boys in that they shout-sang in unison. This was a powerful sound, and vision. The underlying music, written by Peter Lisa, was metallic and melodic. Like both Vanessa and Patti loved (think Black Sabbath meets Guns n Roses).
And so, B.A.W.L. (Bad Ass Wanabees, Ltd.) was an act of true love, born of a decade of friendship and shared songwriting, production by Freddie (instrumentation and lyrics contributed by the trio). Sonically it takes a short trip through the (mostly late) 80s..with a wink and a nod to everyone from Abba to The Beasties to The Cycle Sluts and beyond. It's a fun album and the lyrics are hilarious on every track, but make no mistake. B.A.W.L. is a force to be Reckn'd with. Get it? (Miley Cyrus reference).
*Another very interesting coincidence is the cover art which was painted on the side of a building on 16th st and 9th ave. We did the photo shoot with wonderful results, and the mural was painted over not a week later!!
credits
released April 8, 2020
Vanessa Mandel is Lo BAWL. Patti Rothberg is Hi BAWL. Freddie Katz is Pro BAWL.
Songs written by Lo BAWL and Hi BAWL, except where noted. Vocals and guitar by Lo BAWL and Hi BAWL, except where
noted. Keyboard/Synth by Hi BAWL. Programming and sequencing by Pro BAWL. Bass on all songs except where noted:
Freddie Katz, aka Bass BAWL.
Photos by Freddie Katz.
* Photos taken by Pro BAWL at 9th Ave and 16th St. The beautiful mural that you see is no longer with us,
but Lo BAWL and Hi BAWL made the wall come alive, forever.
“if the artist who created the mural sees this please come forward and we will add your name to future postings/releases”.
* As for the location it was taken at Rebar (now closed) on 8th Ave. and 16th St.(not 9th). “if the artist who created the mural sees this please come forward and we will add your name to future postings/releases”.
Mastered by Mark Dann.
Design by Lo BAWL and Hi BAWL.
Recorded at Sierra Sound, NYC - produced, engineered and mixed by Freddie Katz
All songs published by The Bogart Trip (ASCAP), except where noted.
Mastered by Mark Dann.
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