Suffrajett is coming home for the holidays.
On tour since the September release of their self-titled EP, Suffrajett returns to Chicago this week for a show at Double Door and a well-deserved break. The group then plans on bringing its brand of down-and-dirty rock to European audiences in January before its second full-length album hits the streets in early 2006.
Though the holidays are around the corner, don’t expect to hear a rendition of “Deck the Halls” during the show. According to lead vocalist/violinist Simi, Suffrajett prefers to focus on its mix of buzzing guitars, driving beats and searing vocals.
“Maybe we’ll say, ‘Happy holidays,'” she says. “We don’t like to mix other things into the rock and roll.”
On her way to a show in Salt Lake City, Simi talked to metromix about plans for Suffrajett’s next album, how she’ll be spending her time off, and what she thinks about Blondie’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There’s a type of student violin named Simi. Was your name inspired by it?
My full name is Simantha Molly Lou. Simantha-with-an-I. Molly and Lou are from my grandmas. My mom didn’t want anyone to call me Sam because that was her dad’s name. So she always called me Simi, ever since I was a baby. She was a hippie.
Are you still thinking of calling your next album “One Black Jew, Two Whiteys and a Mexican”?
We still might. It’s like a joke between us all and really stating the obvious. Just to put all that [stuff] out there and get rid of it. We’ve been through so much [stuff] within the industry because I’m black. It’s just like “[Expletive] you; this is who we are and how we like to rock.” And also, I think the title’s hysterical.
When are you planning on releasing it?
The album’s completed; we’re just waiting to put it out. Hopefully, that’s going to be in March or April. It will be mostly new songs and some of the songs from the EP.
Since you relocated a couple years ago, which city feels more like home: New York or Chicago?
New York is my home because that’s where I came from. But now I feel like Chicago is my second home. Both places are home.
Are you celebrating Hanukkah over your break?
We have a menorah and a Christmas tree in my house. That’s how it always was. I used to go to temple more when I was little. We’ll probably say some prayers, but my family’s never been really strict or hard-core. At Passover this year, I just didn’t eat bread.
What are you usually doing when you’re in Chicago?
We like to go up to my friend’s space and play music. I call it the Crack Jam because everyone’s always wasted, and we just play for hours. We like to go to Liar’s [Club] and see our buddies over there. Or Estelle’s; we call it Stinky’s. We always joke that being on tour is much more restful than being home.
You’ve said in previous interviews that you admired Deborah Harry. What do you think about Blondie’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
I think that’s a brilliant idea. I think she’s such a cool lady. So kick-ass. She just was herself. She didn’t seem to be trying to put up any image like, “I’m a tough bitch.” She was just doing her shows and hanging out with the boys.
Kind of like you?
In certain ways. [Laughs]
Suffrajett
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Tickets: $8
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metromix@tribune.com
