THE FEMININE COMPLEX - Livin' Love - CD [RSD2020-SEPT26]

Nashville, 1966: five young girls teach themselves their instruments playing along to the radio. Initially named ‘The Pivots’ and by the end of ’67 christened as The Feminine Complex, they were playing out and developing a local following including radio and television appearances. They created their own versions of popular songs, a style that reflected their need to express their own experience of girlhood. Gender bending ‘boys’ songs’ they simply changed the lyrics, modifying the major characters and pronouns creating a space for themselves inside the music where they were able to become the agents of their own wishes, needs and desires. Come ’68, they appeared on NBC’s nationally syndicated Showcase ’68, hosted by Lloyd Thaxton paving way to their cult status.

It is not allegorical to say that in some way, they widened the entrance to the historical vacuum that a generation later would come to be filled by Riot Grrrl and rock ‘n’ roll camps for girls. The Feminine Complex were not just a good band because they were girls, or because they were the first girls. They are a good band because they are. Lucky for us, we have these recordings, so we can continue to hear why.