Issue #2

Remake Remodel
Band Profile by Kelly Elizabeth

I’ve been following Melbourne band Remake Remodel (formally Porcelain) for a few years now, having first been introduced to them by fellow Pretty Ugly member Lia who raved about the band nonstop for a full 12 months!

I couldn’t ignore such constant enthusiasm so I contacted the band and requested a copy of their debut self-funded EP “Shimmerstar”. (recorded by Lindsay “I don’t do demos” Gravina at Birdland studios) for my radio show. Two years on, Remake Remodel remains the ‘Most Played’ band on my show. Quite an achievement considering the band have only had 2 releases, totalling 8 songs!

Remake Remodel formed in 1998 when Melissa Lock and a guitarist friend joined forces. They soon bullied their friend Jess Cogger into taking on vocal duties and brought in drummer Alex Kastaniotis, fresh from the ashes of Sheraw. In 2000 the original guitarist was replaced with former Hecate and Sheraw guitarist, Sarah Blaby.

Since the addition of Sarah the line-up has remained unchanged and the band have gigged solidly around Melbourne and occassionally interstate. RR have supported the likes of The Donnas, the Lunachicks, Bangs and The Datsuns.

The ‘Shimmerstar’ EP was well received by local radio and I recall hearing Richard Kingsmill open his Oz Music Show with the title track one night too. JJJ also voted the last track on the EP ‘Parasite’ as MP3 of the week. And the second track ‘Catcall’ appears on IndentMusic’s compilation cd ‘GIRL’.

2002 sees a change of name for the band who were originally called Porcelain (apparently there is another band with the same name in NSW), and the release of a 5 track EP, titled “5 track ep” and features the perfect rock/pop tune ‘2way’, a real gem of a track! And a great cover of Iggy Pop’s ‘I’m Bored’. I rather liked this comment about the CD: “If Madonna had been a rock chick around the time of Borderline, rather than the pop temptress she was, this just might have been what she would have come up with.”

That’s how Beat’s Magazine’s Neala Johnson described Remake Remodel in Issue 707, and the more I think about it, the more it fits! RR certainly are a classy rock outfit who’ve impressed me more and more each time I’ve seen them.

Jess’ voice has the versatility to sing beautifully and belt out a rockin’ tune. And Sarah has the ability to put a big sock in any skeptics mouth about the guitar playing prowess of women.

We all know there’s a lot of cool overseas bands around but don’t forget that there’s a bunch of cool female bands here in Oz too. Check em out.