SWA rocks for women’s rights

UMaine group raises its voice, sponsors high-energy show

By Tony Reaves

Posted on Nov. 11, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

Rebecca Peterson

Bottom Line was just one of the four bands participating in Saturday's Rock for Roe benefit concert.

When it comes to rocking out for a good cause, the University of Maine Student Women’s Association knows where it’s at.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, SWA brought about 100 students a show so intens, many may never recover. The show, Rock for Roe, marked the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States.

The bands that performed were The Green Bikes, Bottom Line, Secret Cock, Porn Belt and The Pawn Shop Caddies. There was no charge to attend but students voluntarily donated money upon entering and all proceeds went to two pro-choice organizations, The Laura Fund and Safe Abortions For Everyone (S.A.F.E.). The Laura Fund provides abortions and other family planning services to underprivileged women and S.A.F.E. is a private subsidy fund for abortions. In addition, the five bands traveled and played at their own expense to support the cause.

First on stage were The Green Bikes, a ska-punk band from UMaine that played an energetic set of original songs and covers, such as Green Day’s “2000 Light Years Away” and The Beatles’s “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Naomi Charest, whose son Norman Charest plays bass for The Green Bikes, said she attends most of their shows and that, for a ska-punk band, they perform extremely well.

Next up was Bottom Line, a punk band hailing from mid-coast Maine. Singer-guitarist Eliot Pride describes his band’s sound as, “pretty typical street punk,” but they tore through their songs at a blistering speed. They also had the most audience participation with audience members running up to the stage and singing into the microphones to help the band with the choruses. The band has had a full schedule lately and is interested in playing more shows at the university.

The show went from good to great when Boston band Secret Cock took the stage. The all-female band played 70′s style heavy metal that would make KISS jealous. While they were a bit heavy in the treble category, shredded eardrums were a small price to pay for their sneering, dirty rock and one of the best damn band names in history. They even used a cowbell – enough said.

It seemed like nothing could beat Secret Cock until Porn Belt took the stage, sounding both Hell-spawned and godlike at once. Porn Belt, another all-female Boston band, pummeled the audience with feedback, white noise and a kazoo. Rock for Roe flyers said the band “must be seen to be believed.” This is an understatement. They brought a power to the stage that can barely be described.

Their over-the-top feminist lyrics make Bikini Kill sound like timid schoolgirls. After the song “Babysitter F*cker,” a reference to Michael Kennedy, the lead singer asked the audience, “Do you think, if we don’t get sued by the Kennedys that [the song] will be on ‘Sweating to the Oldies’ in 20 years?”

The Pawn Shop Caddies, who hail from Rumford, headlined the event. If any of Saturday night’s bands have potential for commercial success, it’s the alternative-punk Caddies. Their heavy, catchy sound was that of a band which has mastered their instruments. They got the best reaction from the audience overall, especially when they played the theme song from “Happy Days.”

When all was said and done, SWA raised over $300, and the crowd was rocked in a way they won’t soon forget.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 11th, 2002, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.