Heroine Sheiks

The Heroine Sheiks were originally a New York-based Noise Rock band until early 2006, when the band called it quits. In 2008 the band was reformed in Minneapolis, and then only lasting another year. It began in 1999 as a collaboration of Shannon Selberg, George Porfiris, Norman Westberg and John Fell. Selberg emerged as a major songwriter in the complete history of the band whose sound was darker and more sinister than his previous work in The Cows. With multiple references to the writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline, the band explored a thematic quality of black comedy. Many of the more successful bands from New York in the last ten years record sales wise got started opening for Heroine Sheiks. Bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fiery Furnaces, Interpol, and Gogol Bordello, all played opening slots for the Heroine Sheiks.

The initial lineup of Selberg, Porfiris, Westberg, and J.Bryan Bowden recorded the first single on Amphetamine Reptile records titled "Heroine Sheiks"(scale 98). The release included the songs "We are the", "Let's Fight" and "Swedish Fly". This was reportedly the last official Amrep release, as further releases up to this date have been special limited releases by the Melvins and other affiliated musicians befriended by label owner Tom Hazelmyer. The band received good support from the local NYC underground rock scene and prompted a full length release by Reptilian Records.

"Rape on the Installment Plan" is considered a...
Read More