Review: The Joans – We are the Joans – (Hag Horror Rock n Roll!)By Brian Kirst

www.thejoansband.com

“Clark Gable sends me food, Barbara Stanwyck’s dancing nude! Joan World!” – The Joans

Think there couldn’t possibly be anything more enjoyable than Ann-Margret doing the Rock n’ Roll Waltz? Well then, unlucky soul, you haven’t heard The Joans doing the Trog! But that little problem has just been resolved with a firm velvet fist with the recent release of The Joans’ debut CD, We are the Joans. Founded, within the last two years, to give Joan Crawford her rock n’ roll voice this expert band combines manic Beach Boys surf grooves with slinky 80’s pop, all distorted through a make-up smeared New York Dolls lens.

Most importantly, the band celebrates the terror filled magic of Crawford with song titles based around her Hag Horror classics like Berserk and Do the Trog. With twisted guitars and propulsive drums, Berserk indulges in the zany circus atmospherics that makes the bloody Crawford slasher such a camp delight. Do the Trog recounts the joyous story of the Crawford ape tragedy while also ushering in the newest dance craze – quite an achievement within the confines of one glorious 3 minute song!

Indulging in love and acceptance for all social difference (emphasized with slinky sensuality by Davy Joans’ quirky spoken interlude on Faye Dunaway) – something that scare lovers should truly appreciate – The Joans’ We are the Joans is a perfect Halloween gift (or for any time of the year) for all your blood loving compadres who like their terror laced with a little style and draped in thick black eyelashes.