It’s been a while since we last gigged, so The Rebelles just can’t wait to hit the stage at the launch show of the So She Says compilation CD this Sunday!

So She Says is a local initiative to support female musicians by creating networks and providing newbie musicians with access to resources, inspiration, and mentoring from more experienced musicians. Through 2013 and 2014 So She Says will be arranging a series of events, including performances and classes.

The compilation CD features the talents of Liz Stringer, Mia Dyson, Rosie Burgess, Valentiine, Aurora Jane, Tessa and the Typecast, Charlie Thorpe, Mel Calia, Zoe Ryan (and the Dandy Lion),  Hayley Couper, and your own favourite 15-piece girl group, The Rebelles.

After the Rebelles kick off the show (at 7pm sharp, so get there early!), there’ll be sets by the genre-straddling Rosie Burgess, Tasmanian songstress Hayley Couper and all-girl-garage rock trio Valentiine.

Copies of the compilation CD will be available at the launch, along with some pretty awesome hand-made merch, but why not check out the early-bird offers (including $10 pre-sale tickets) on the Pozible crowd-funding campaign athttp://pozible.com/soshesayscompilationcd
That’s this Sunday October 20th
The Workers Club, Cnr Brunswick and Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Doors open 6.30 (Rebelles onstage 7pm)
$10 entry
Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/666085283404281/

The Rebelles have interrupted their recent hibernation and are set to unleash a devilish blast of rockin’ girl group greatness next Friday 9 August. Put your moccies back under the bed, slip on your dancin’ shoes and shimmy on down to the fab Kindred Studios for another wicked instalment of Melting Pot – the only place to be in West Melbourne on a Friday night.

With two hot sets from The Rebelles and special disc spinning support from the hottest DJ in the West, Mr Dirty Garry himself, there’s no better way to turn that winter frown upside down!

• The Rebelles + DJ Dirty Garry
• Melting Pot @ Kindred Studios
• 212 Whitehall Street, Yarraville
• Doors: 8pm
• Entry: $10

Facebook event here.

The Rebelles bring their gloriously joyful wall of sound to the Toff in Town on Wednesday 22 May. Fresh from launching the Clapping Song EP, The Rebelles are looking forward to not only playing one of Melbourne’s best venues, but also sharing the night with the wonderful Julitha Ryan!

Julitha has recorded and performed with such Melbourne luminaries as Silver Ray, Hugo Race and Mick Harvey. Her 2012 debut solo album, ‘The Lucky Girl’, was recorded and mixed by Andrew ‘Idge’ Hehir at The Rebelles’ favourite studio, Northcote’s Sound Park. Julitha will be performing with her full 10-piece band, making this an extra-special night.

In between these 2 massive acts will be DJ sets from Eliana “Hellzapoppin’” Schoulal, known and loved by RRR listeners for her Saturday night show. We can’t wait to hear what she’s got in her record box for this one!

And, speaking of RRR, this Sunday afternoon The Rebelles will be giving a live-to-air performance on Jon Von Goes’ show JVG Radio Method. Jon is the only man on the planet who can boast of having married 2 Rebelles (in his role as a civil celebrant, we hasten to add), and recently persuaded the band to sing a barbecue-themed Ramones number at this year’s RRR BBQ. How are we all going to fit into the studio?  Tune in to 102.7FM or listen online at www.rrr.org.au to find out!

This will be the last public Rebelles show for a while – we’ll be taking a little break – so we’d really love to see you there!

• Wednesday May 22nd
• The Toff in Town, 2/252 Swanston St
• $10 on the door from 8pm
• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/446135382136729
• http://thetoffintown.com
• http://www.julitharyan.com

The Rebelles are proud to announce a special afternoon show this Sunday at Yarraville’s own Kindred Frontspace. This all-ages show will kick off at 2pm with Swizzle / Footscray I’m In Love supremo DJ Dirty Garry on the decks, followed by the band showcasing songs from the Clapping Song E.P. alongside other favourites.

With the mighty Thumper Rebelle busy thumping the skins for the Bitter Sweet Kicks, we are excited to introduce BAM BAM! Rebelle taking on the drumming duties. That’s some pretty huge shoes to fill, but you can be sure he’ll supply a big enough backbeat to keep the joint jumping right from the very first ‘1,2,3,4!’

Kindred Frontspace, 212a Whitehall St Yarraville
Doors open 2pm
$10/$5 (kids under 12 free)

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/574490835919096/

Upcoming shows:

Wednesday May 22@ The Toff In Town, with the wonderful Julitha Ryan and her 10-piece band, plus RRR’s DJ Eliana “Hellzapoppin’” Schoulal

The Rebelles make their triumphant return to Cherry Bar’s Soul in the Basement this Thursday April 18 for the second sensational week of their ‘Clapping Song’ E.P. launch. Last week’s show saw the Cherry floor heaving with the sort of crazed dancing action The Rebelles love to inspire, with a few litres of sweat added to that famous sticky carpet. And the band are determined to ramp up the frenzy factor to 11 once more with another rocking set of girlgroup goodness. Onstage 10pm.

And to wrap up the Clapping Song EP launch in spectacular showbiz style The Rebelles are very, very, very excited to announce the release of their first ever video! Created by Melbourne comedy maestros Lawrence Leung and Andrew McClelland, and filmed at Hawthorn’s fab Kustom Lane Gallery by renowned cinematographer Robin Geradts-Gill and his talented team, the video for the Clapping Song finds The Rebelles paying homage to West Side Story while capturing the energy and stylish sass of this most unique band.

Watch it for yourself at rebelles.com.au/video/

The Clapping Song E.P. will be in Melbourne’s grooviest record retailers from today. Head on down to:

• Basement Discs (24 Block Place Melbourne CBD)
• Missing Link / Collectors Corner (Level 1, 387 Bourke St Melbourne CBD)
• Polyester Records(288 Flinders Lane, Melbourne and 387 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
• Pure Pop (221 Barkly Street St Kilda Vic 3182)
• Off The Hip (381 Flinders Ln Melbourne CBD)
• Greville Records (152 Greville St Prahran 3181)
• Northside Records (236 Gertrude St Fitzroy 3065)

More to be announced soon! And of course you can also order online from our own online store, or pick up a copy from our upcoming launch shows at Cherry Bar, AD-DC Lane, this Thursday 11th and next Thursday 18th. you might even get it signed by a real live Rebelle!

Here’s the lowdown on ‘The Clapping Song’ E.P. – track by track.

1. The Clapping Song

   Made famous by Shirley Ellis in 1965, The Rebelles have made this thunderously joyful track unmistakably their own. The backing track was recorded live in a single take, an army of guitars, percussion, hammond organ and brass blending into a thoroughly modern wall of sound. Lead vocals by our super soprano section – Rhonda, Reba, Ginger, Lulu, Frenchie and Sooki.

2. I Met Him On A Sunday

   A great song from one of the few girlgroups to pen their own material, The Shirelles, who composed this little known gem while still at school and released it as their first Decca single in 1958. It packs a tale of love and betrayal into a compact 2 minute blast, while still leaving room for plenty of those signature doo-wop harmonies. Lead vocals – everyone gets a turn!

3. Baby I Love You

   Flip the disc over and you’re rewarded with another epic track, a song first cut by the immortal Ronettes. Baby I Love You is the result of putting 20 instrumentalists in a confined space and pitting them against the mighty vocal power of The Rebelles. Lead vocal duties are handled by the fabulous altos – Cherry, Kitty, Lil’ Edie, Trixie, Connie and Yelle – and look out for a scorching solo by lead guitarist Warren ‘Potsie’ Rebelle.

4. I Want Some More

   Even by Rebelles standards this one is short and sharp! Usually featured as a live encore, The Rebelles leave this one til last when the crowd can literally take no more! Driven by Thumper Rebelle’s powerful backbeat – don’t be surprised if you hear these big tubs sampled over the coming years – every singer takes centre stage to deliver a sensationally ribald lead vocal. Just like everyone’s first romance, Chan Romero’s paean to the joys of love and late night strolls in the park is over before you even open your eyes … but still leaves you breathless and wanting more.

Which is exactly how you’ll feel after enjoying these four chunks of sonic gold, whether you’re spinning the ruby-red vinyl or decoding those wonderful downloaded bits and bytes into the joyous and rocking sound of The Rebelles!

The world’s biggest girl group, The Rebelles, are excited to announce their very first vinyl release: The Clapping Song EP! Four souped-up songs, recorded at Melbourne’s Sound Park Studios and mastered by the legendary Mikey Young, that capture the energy and excitement of this unique band on one sensational piece of red wax.

But what’s an EP without a launch? It’s safe to say The Rebelles have a bit of wind in their sails at the moment after their recent barnstorming White Night set on the steps of Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station. Rest assured they can’t wait to serve up another real, live wall of sound when they launch the EP over two huge Thursdays at the Cherry Bar’s famous Soul in the Basement, on 11 and 18 April. Soul in the Basement is the world’s longest running weekly soul night, with ‘Soul Time’ legend Vince Peach and long-term Rebelles friend Pierre Baroni (PBS’s Soul Groove ‘66) spinning the coolest 45s in town. The Rebelles are particularly honoured to be launching their own 45 over not one but two nights at Soul in the Basement. Get down to either of these shows to pick up the E.P. for the very special not-to-be-repeated price of $10!

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for The Rebelles’ sensational video for The Clapping Song! The video was produced by the combined creative genius of Melbourne comedy kings Lawrence Leung and Andrew McClelland – a must see!

•  The Clapping Song E.P. (RB Records RB001) released on Monday April 8 – $15 from all good Melbourne record shops (national distribution TBA), Rebelles live shows, and by mail order from www.rebelles.com.au
• Launch shows – Thursday 11th & 18th at Cherry Bar, AD/DC Lane, Melbourne CBD. Entry $10, doors 8pm. E.P. available for the special price of $10.