Cheap Perfume
Biography
There are two notable punk bands that have gone by the name Cheap Perfume. The first was an all-female punk rock group that emerged from the 1970s New York City scene, while the second is a contemporary feminist punk band from Colorado.
Cheap Perfume (New York, 1977)
New York City's original Cheap Perfume was an all-female punk band formed in 1977. The band consisted of Lynn Odell (vocals), Susan Palermo (bass), Brenda Martinez (drums), Nancy Street (rhythm guitar), and Bunny LeDesma on lead guitar, who replaced original guitarist Alison Berger. The idea for the band sparked when waitresses at the legendary club CBGB, Palermo and Berger, decided they could rock just as hard as the bands they saw on stage.
They became a regular act at prominent NYC venues like CBGB's and Max's Kansas City, sharing bills with iconic bands such as the Ramones, The Dead Boys, and Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers. Managed for a time by Patti Smith's manager, Jane Friedman, the band gained a following but faced the challenges of a male-dominated industry. Despite writing original songs like "You Won't Stop Me" and "Tommy's Such A Tease," the group did not release an album during their active years from 1977 to 1981. The band reunited in the early 2000s for several performances.
Cheap Perfume (Colorado, 2015)
Formed in Colorado in 2015, the modern Cheap Perfume is a feminist punk rock band known for their loud, unapologetic, and politically charged music. The lineup features Jane No (vocals, guitar), Stephanie Byrne (vocals), Geoff Brent (bass), and David "Hot Dave" Grimm (drums). Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement of the 90s, the band's lyrics confront issues of sexism, social justice, equality, and anti-fascism.
Their aggressive and satirical style is evident in songs like "Slut Game Strong," "It's Okay (to Punch Nazis)," and "Trump Roast." The band aims to create an inclusive space within the punk scene and uses their platform for activism, addressing topics like sexual trauma and systemic inequality. They have released full-length albums including "Nailed It" (2016) and "Burn It Down" (2019), and continue to be an active voice in the Denver punk scene.