 
Right now across the contiguous states, one of America’s dingy scummy treasures is in danger of going the way of the pig-footed bandicoot. CBGB’s rock club is struggling for survival. The platform for great NYC punk , hard core, new wave, and art metal like The Ramones, Cro-mags, Blondie, The Talking Heads, and White Zombie may never see the likes of Stiletta. An Oakland based power trio that would fit in so very perfectly on a bill at the legendary NYC punk club. Fronted by Guitarist and vocalist Mila Zuo, Stiletta has been playing the bay area for 2 years. Drawing crowds with their quote unquote “hot tattoo girl band” image, the ladies have kept their crowds with unapologetically sincere performances. Though their image may lead to the occasional creep following them around after a gig, their likability has lead to performances with the Lovemakers, AC/Dshe, Royalty and at venues like Caf» du Nord, Blakes, Club ID and Gilman. Drummer Chloe Turan and bassist Shelly Carriere are not particularly concerned with technical proficiency. That’s not really what this music is about. It’s about fun. Punky, defiant, danceable fun. This is the kind of fun that is reflected on their self-titled and self released CD. “Rock n’ Roll Queen” stands out as an anthemic track and perhaps a song for what the girls in this band could become. It paints the image of the simultaneously trashy and trendy wild haired goddess of rock n’ roll walking in slow motion down a sidewalk in the wrong part of town with the wind machines blowing her hair around. Their punky, indie style mixes psychedelic with garage and power pop in a Joy Division-meets-MC 5-with a twist of-the Runaways kind of way. Their songs cover topics like unrequited love, murder, fashion, friendship, banality of jobs, the horror of public transportation, and alcoholic landlords. Because they are a completely DIY band, Stiletta must struggle to handle work, school, rehearsal, gigging, promotion, and marketing all on their while some how managing to work sleeping and eating into 24 hour days. The hard work has been paying of for them having played for 1,200 people at the SOMA magazine party on July 21st, a LIVE 105 showcase, and having appeared in the SF Chronicle pink pages as the download of the week of July 19th. Self confident and in no way contrived, the ladies of Stiletta are a unit. More than most bands, they have a palpable bond that is apparent both on and off stage. It is a great hope that in the days to CBGB’s will still exist so that this band, so perfectly suited for it’s seedy stage, can play the venue that was meant to have them. Catch Stiletta at Slim’s on September 8th, Edinburgh Castle on September 10th and Pop Roxxx DNA Lounge on September 30th. See their website http://www.stilettarocks.com/
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Stiletta