Former Disney Star Turns Woman of Mass Destruction !
When Christa Collins (formerly Christa Larson) joined the Woolly Bandits in 2007, she had not performed since a guest appearance on Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” in 1991.
As Disney’s first recording artist and the prototype for the child music star (Christa Larson – Minnie and Me), her career was on a trajectory for stardom. And then tragedy struck.
While on tour in Australia supporting her new CD, Christa’s mother, Denice, was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Christa was no longer the same girl after losing her mother, manager, and guiding force. Disney released Christa from her recording contract shortly after.
It would be years before Christa returned to the stage.
Christa might have thought she was done with music, but music wasn’t done with her. Recognizing a born performer with a voice too good for the sidelines, mutual friends prodded Christa to dip her toes back into musical waters with The Woolly Bandits bass player and founder, Rik Collins.
Disney’s loss was The Woolly Bandits gain. Although The Woolly Bandits were actively touring and recording before Christa hit the scene, when she stepped into the band, she set off some kind of musical chemical reaction that sent the band’s evolution into overdrive. For Christa, heading back into the spotlight unleashed the pent up front woman kept inside for so long, making every performance more of a purging than a simple gig.
Woolly Bandit fans get to revel in the explosion at every show, but they don’t get to just sit back and take it all in. The band demands energy from the audience, and they get it. Even if chin stroking is your usual show stance, you’ll be up front and dancing with The Woolly Bandits before you even know what hit you. Being witness to things like the world’s only tandem drum solo doesn’t hurt when it comes to getting the crowd revved up, of course, but the good times happening on stage have a way of bringing out the Woolly Bandit inside everyone in the room.
In 2009, Citation Records took notice and snapped up The Woolly Bandits. Their Citation debut, Woman of Mass Destruction, is drawing whispers of “instant classic”. It’s combination of modern rock meets retro sensibilities says, sure, we’ve got Jack and Meg, The Pixies, No Doubt, The Pretenders and yes, The B-52s in our record collections, but if you try to describe it, bet you can’t pick just one. Fans that have been with the band for the whole ride won’t be disappointed. New fans will simply be glad there is a band that can curate the past, pick the good stuff for inspiration and come up with a sound that is thoroughly modern and unrepeatable.
The Woolly Bandits will be on tour in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan in early 2009/2010 in support of Woman of Mass Destruction.
Recent Reviews:
At first glance, based on just looking at the back cover of The Woolly Bandits’ "Woman Of Mass Destruction" album, the impression that the band is something like the B-52s is the first idea that comes to mind. While hints of the B-52s at times appear in the album, the band rightfully holds their own unique identity and talents. "Woman Of Mass Destruction", released through Citation Records, takes a spin on Punk, Rockabilly, and Psychedelic music, to deliver an album entirely different and fierce.
Upon listening to the album, many of the songs give out different vibes and showcase the different influences that exist in the band. In many of the songs, the guitar stylings are similar to the guitar stylings of Rockabilly music. Yet the stylings of the keyboards remind you of the Psychedelic 60’s counter-culture experience, something similar to Strawberry Alarm Clock. The vocals on the other hand also contribute a unique style to the overall music. In a way, the band maintains an impression of the B-52s because of how quirky their music is, and because of the variety of music produced. Regardless of whether or not you see the resemblance, one thing you will agree on is that the music is catchy and irresistible.
The Woolly Bandits have something great going on for them, and by checking out "Woman Of Mass Destruction", they can share the diversity with you.. The album is filled with different styles and influences, and it will certainly not fail to impress you. Funky and fresh, the band’s album may cause you to get up and do the twist, and that’s a personal warning.
-Stephanie M.-
Senior staff reporter
Big Wheel Online Magazine
"a wild, rebel hybrid that enables the Woolly Bandits to turn your head inside out within the course of a single number. That kind of accrued mastery, taken with the groups raw, upstart aggression, is the ideal formula for a hell-raising, kick-out-the-jams Saturday night. Expect nothing less." (Johnny Whiteside) I.E/L.A. Weekly
"...these bodacious grinders boast an uberhot female singer and drummer. a catchy repertoire of organ-embellished Cramps-style tunes and a no-bullshit approach to promotion, see them for your self.."
Lina Lecaro-L.A. Weekly
The Woolly Bandits are an incredible five piece..if you're a regular reader of Pop Rocket's music section, you are already aware of the importance we place on the energy of a band's live show. Lemme tell ya' this band knows how to rock the house!"
Tena Overacker Pop Rocket (Prescott, AZ.)
Saw you guys at the Press! Totally dig your band! I think you need to come to Vegas and rock ass here!! It's always refreashing to get out of the I.E., then you can do Moon River in a second encore!!!!!!!
Note: The Real Thanksgiving was seriously fucked up.
In mid-winter 1620 the English ship Mayflower landed on the North American coast (at Plymouth Rock) delivering 102 Puritan exiles. The original Native people ("Indians") of this stretch of shoreline had already been killed off in great numbers. In 1614 a British expedition had landed there. When they left they took 24 Indians as slaves and left smallpox, syphilis and gonorrhea behind. That plague swept the so called "tribes of New England", destroyed some villages totally.
The Puritans landed and built their colony called "the Plymouth Plantation" near the desired ruins of the Indian village of Pawtuxet. They ate from abandoned cornfields grown wild. Historical accounts tell us that only one Pawtuxet named Squanto had survived. He had spent the last years as a slave to the English and Spanish in Europe. The Pilgrim crop failed miserably, but the agricultural expertise of Squanto produced 20 acres of corn, without which the Pilgrims would have surely perished. Squanto spoke the colonists' language and taught them how to plant corn and how to catch fish. Squanto also helped the colonists negotiate a peace treaty with the nearby Wampanoag tribe, led by the chief Massasoit. These were very lucky breaks for the colonists. Thanks to the good will of the Wampanoag, the Puritans not only survived their first year but had an alliance with the Wampanoags that would give them almost two decades of peace. In celebration of the
OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LAST NIGHT!!! SOOOO AMAZING!!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS & THE CD IS EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE!!!!!!!! ILL PUT PICS UP SOON!!! <333
Great show at the Press...First you're born, you work, you pay and you guys rock...'I didn't think you were going to do Moon River, but then, bam, second encore'...Great Show
HOLA HOLA SALUDOS BUENO SOLO INVITANDOTE A QUE ESCUCHES NUESTRA NUEVA CANCION "EXTRAÑO" DEDICADA PARA TODOS LOS QUE NOS AN SEGUIDO APOLLANDO ESPERO Y TE GUSTE Y MUCHAS GRAX POR SEGUIR CON NOSOTROS PRONTO HABRA MAS ROLLAS...
Had a blast playing with ya'll Sat. night !!!! Keep us in mind for any future gigs, and we'll do the same...Please pay Herman our band cash. Thanks again ! Tex
