Bassist/lead singer, Kim Hammond, tried out for her 6th-grade cheerleading squad and disappointedly didn't make the cut. Kim mentions that it might have been "for the best," but she was defiantly annoyed at the time by not making it onto the junior high pep team. Just like Courtney Love's childhood desire for girlie things led her to wearing babydoll dresses with her band Hole, Kim's wish to show her team spirit finally arrived when she formed her frat-hop band Junior Varsity.
Combining the simple beats, harmony and energy of early 1950's rock bands, with the charisma and DIY style of the punk movement, Junior Varsity comes out of the underground like no other indie girl band. Each one of their songs, like Bam Bam Bam and GO! To The Ice Cream Social, is short, sweet and full of pep. Sporting their own 1950-style cheerleading uniforms (drummer Matt Murillo gets to wear pants) and the logo of their band mascot Bippy the Beaver, Junior Varsity turns every one of their shows into a pep rally for indie music spirit. In fact, one of their first shows was performing in front of 600+ frat boys in Texas!
While Matt has stated that he moonlights as a "teenage girl" by writing many of JV's tunes, newcomer to the band, Rebecca Whitley, also has been penning several songs, with many more to come.
Describing the lyrical content of Junior Varsity songs, Kim explains," I think the lyrics end up being a mix of the square girl and Tracy Lords from John Water's Cry Baby. Kind of a wholesome, happy girl with a little bit of 'bad girl' thrown in."
With several released singles, Junior Varsity released their first full length album, Bam Bam Bam! late last year on [Peek-A-Boo Records.] http://www.peekaboorecords.com Filled with spunky-poppy tunes, Bam Bam Bam! will get you dancing or, at least, toe tapping. All of a sudden watching Nick At Nite and doing your hair in a flip is pretty darn cool (ask Rebecca about your hair issues - she was on the Hair Squad!).
Check out Junior Varsity Online for audio clips and more.
Read an interview with Junior Varsity on GirlMedia.
Let's See if You've got some Spirit! Take our quiz to find out!
1. Here's an easy question, what music video has Britney Spear's performing as a spirited school girl?
A) I'm A Slave 4 UB) Oops!.. I Did It Again
C) You Drive Me Crazy
2. What does a 1950's flip hairdo look like?
A) Shoulder length with the ends flipped outB) Shoulder length with the ends flipped in
C) Short with the ends flipped out
3. Cheerleaders always are:
A) Blonde and dumbB) Boys and girls of all shapes and sizes that have school spirit
C) Thin and snobby
4. What is a Sock Hop?
A) A dance partyB) A contest to see who can hop the farthest with socks on
C) The original version of the Twist
5. What is Happy Days?
A) Days that are happyB) The week before the HS pep rally
C) A T. V. show with lots of school spirit
6. Before CD Players and Sound Systems, HS kids would listen to the latest songs on a:
A) JukeboxB) Radio
C) Both!