ROCK GODDESS released their debut eponymous album this month in 1983.
The band were already building a dedicated following in the rock and NWOBHM scene after gigging the circuit (later supporting IRON MAIDEN and DEF LEPPARD), appearing at the 1982 Reading festival, a Sounds cover feature and Kerrang! up-and-coming feature (see below).
After one single, Heavy Metal Rock 'n' Roll (1982), ROCK GODDESS joined producer Vic Maile (MOTORHEAD, GIRLSCHOOL, HAWKWIND, 999) to record Rock Goddess. The album was released through A&M.
Vic Maile was just such a fabulous guy. He was like an uncle to us, he was just so lovely. He made us feel so relaxed and he didn’t pressure us, so in those terms, it was a fabulous environment. He understood us, got the best out of us, and we could not have wished for a better producer.
- Rock Goddess interview, Iron Fist, 2016
...a musclebound package of gut level power and raw, raucous delivery, you'd be hard pushed to find bettered anywhere... - Sounds
Rock Goddess represent a valid challenge to the macho-orientated world of HM - a damn excellent effort. - Kerrang
Below: "My Angel" performed (mimed) on German TV around this time, with Kelly Johnson (GIRLSCHOOL) standing in on bass!
Kerrang! Armed & Ready (1982) by Robbi Millar:
ROCK GODDESS: It's about time we had some ladies on these pages! And who better to add a little glamour and guts to an area generally monopolised by wart-encrusted warlocks and nit-ridden Neanderthals - sorry Grim Reaper, Holocaust et al! - than Wandsworth's finest, the indomitable Rock Goddess?
Said by Sounds as early as February to be "excellent providers of magnificent metallic mayhem", Rock Goddess are fuel for the theory that women can play heavy metal equally as well as men if not, on occasions, better.
Clocking at the tender ages of 18, 18 and 14 (respectively), guitarist / vocalist Jody Turner, bassist Tracey Lamb and drummer Julie Turner are already firm favourites amongst South London's headbanging hordes - despite the fact that they've only played a minimum of live gigs due to Julie's lack of years - and word is out around Kerrang's kapital that they have a fine future. They certainly have potential.
The Rock Goddess story began five years ago when the band's affable manager (Julie and Jody's dad!) let them loose in his rehearsal studios.
Since then they've built up a collection of songs even greater in size than Spider's capacity for touring but in no way do they regret missing teenage years of make-up and parties for the sake of rock and roll; as Jody says, "I'm only 18 but I've gained so much experience for someone so young." And their determination is as strong as ever.
For most of this summer, Rock Goddess have been unable to play live - an annoying waiting period for Julie to turn 14 and become legal! - but, rather than sitting back and complaining, they've recorded both a competent and interesting demo tape (recording companies, take notice!) and a contribution to an up-and-coming all women elpee compilation called 'Making Waves', due out on Girlfriend (through Rough Trade) in early November.
To tie in with the album, Rock Goddess will be playing dates with the oddly-named Androids Of Mu around the north of Britain in December (dates later) although Londoners can catch them beforehand at St James' Church, Pentonville Road (Nov 21) or Dingwalls (Nov 23).
But what's that I hear you say? Another Girlschool? Certainly not! Obviously, Rock Goddess consider Girlschool as an influence - Girlschool are pretty taken with Rock Goddess too - but, when asked, Jody Turner cites a rather heavier choice of preferences.
"Iron Maiden," she says, "I love Iron Maiden and Def Leppard and Kiss. Sabbath and Led Zeppelin too. Basically, I really like the old bands but some of the new ones are very good."
And unlike some of the wimpier, Neal Kayesque, "we prefer the term hard rock" combos on the circuit, Rock Goddess aren't afraid of their chromium roots.
"Of course we're into heavy metal," insists Jody. "I'm proud to be doing heavy metal, we all are, it's great!" So there!
Rock Goddess' music takes the point even further. Though far more melodic than the Motorhead majority, it bristles with a similar raw power, at times reminiscent of Judas Priest.
Both Jody's guitar and Tracey Lamb's bass react and interact excellently with muscle and skill while Julie Turner's hammerhead drumming reveals a confidence and strength beyond her years.
Jody possesses the sort of gritty, no-holds-barred voice that you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alleyway and this wraps the whole Rock Goddess package together into a formidable unit.