The Hissyfits

Princess, Fon-Lin and P-Girl are not unlike other girl friends. They gossip about boys, support each other with their love lives, and go crazy over their favorite tunes. But unlike the others, they bring all this up to the stage.

Christened the Hissyfits, these chicks rock firmly with sweet harmonies, crunchy guitars, and energetic drums. Formed in 1996 by lead singer/guitarist Princess, this New York City-based pop-punk trio has earned praise from the likes of the late Joey Ramone and generated recognition from publications like The Washington Post, Interview, and Maximum Rock-n-Roll.

They recently signed on to Top Quality Rock & Roll, an independent Michigan record label, after a label rep heard them play at the CMJ music festival. Their debut album "Letters from Frank" is an instant brew of softcore punk and ready-to-serve power pop - catchy, hook-laden bittersweet songs with a quasi-rebellious Riot-Grrl edge, sort of like the Go-go's meets the Ramones

"I'm in a band with sisters," says Princess, who is sitting alongside the other two band members, at Chicago's Hide Out, several hours before their headlining performance.

This is the Hissyfits' first national tour, and the girls are very, very excited. The constant playing out and the time spent cruising cross-country in drummer P-Girl's 1994 Ford Explorer, has allowed the band time to improve on their playing skills, as well as form a deeper relationship amongst them.

"I feel closer to them sometimes than to my own sisters," admits Princess. "It's as if they were family, because creating something with someone can be extremely emotional."

Most of the songs that they sing (and all three contribute to the vocals) come from their experiences with boys. "Finding music -- and I know it sounds like a cliché -- but it totally saved my life," confesses Princess, who started the band following a difficult breakup with a boyfriend.

They agree that each member fits her role in the band well. Princess, the emotional drama queen, lets it all out on lead vocals; P-girl, the energetic and fun-loving redhead, brashly bangs on drum; and Fon-Lin, the friendly yet poised player, is the self-dubbed "stone-cold bassist."

While hailed by several music critics as the next big thing, the Hissyfits aren't interested in arena rock. "We'd be happy to be on the same level as Sleater Kinney," says Fon-Lin. "We still want to be in touch with our fans. We don't want it to be too impersonal."

Princess agrees and adds: "I never thought starting a band was something I could do. But here I am. And I want the Hissyfits to be a symbol for other girls not to be afraid to do this too."

For more information on the Hissyfits, go to http://www.hissyfits.com.

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