Babes in Toyland |
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Tue. September 01.1998 3:00 AM EDT |
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Babes In Toyland Vocalist Toons In To Witchblade SoundtrackKat Bjelland sings story of cartoon heroine in first-ever album to accompany a hot comic-book fable. by Contributing Editor Teri vanHorn |
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Megadeth, Nine Inch Nails to join Kat Bjelland of Babes in Toyland (pictured) in rock cast. ( ) |
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Kat Bjelland, frontwoman for post-punk, pre-grrrl band Babes in Toyland, will transform
herself into a comic-book heroine next week with the release of the multi-artist CD
Songs of the Witchblade, the first-ever soundtrack to set a popular
Joined by a cast featuring heavy-metal rockers Megadeth and industrial-rockers Chris Vrenna and Steve Dudas of Nine Inch Nails, Bjelland sings the part of "Witchblade" heroine Sara Pezzini, the bad-ass, big-boobed New York detective who -- as the story goes -- involuntarily embodies an ancient, alien Witchblade weapon that sends her on sensual and dangerous missions. "She's a tough girl that kicks butt and gets to wear cool clothes," Bjelland said of the comic-book heroine, a role she's embraced while Babes in Toyland take a rest. Bjelland debuts as her cartoon alter ego Sept. 8, when DreamWorks Records will release the musical tale, narrated by Eric Bogosian, the actor and playwright known for his film "Talk Radio." According to the soundtrack's producers, Songs of the Witchblade offers 13 riveting musical cuts that shadow the storyline of the popular "Witchblade" series over several issues. Amid the diversity of its performers, the CD manages to capture the fantastical feel of the comic-book genre -- both musically and lyrically -- as it explores the Witchblade-possessed Sara's outrageous trials and tribulations. Bjelland was the driving force and lead producer behind the new musical concept, a project that began when DreamWorks A&R executive Tim Carr brought Bjelland a stack of the "Witchblade" comic books for her birthday in December 1996. "At first, I was like, 'Why are you giving me this Heavy Metal sh--?' " Bjelland recalled. "But then, they were on my nightstand, staring me in the face. So I started reading them, and I just got hooked." As an added bonus, producing and performing on Songs of the Witchblade fulfilled one of Bjelland's childhood dreams. "When I was little, I started telling my dad I wanted to do movie soundtracks to horror films," Bjelland said last week from her Minneapolis home. "I thought this would be pretty close. And I think it works on its own -- I don't think you have to have the comic book to understand the story." Also on the CD are Megadeth's revenge anthem "I'll Get Even," Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You" and, as the ultimate finale, a rendition of the Eagles' "Witchy Woman," featuring members of the electro-hardcore band Boys Against Girls. Bjelland's sweet-sounding, Minnesota-accented speaking voice doesn't even hint at its shrill, piercing singing potential, which is alternately explored and restrained to the fullest extent on Songs of the Witchblade. On "Bruxaria" (Portuguese for "witchcraft"), she keeps to primarily to a purr, while "Mater Dolorosa" is propelled by the straight-up punk sass she's shown us for years with Babes in Toyland. Elsewhere, as on the erratic "Saraphrenia" (programmed by Nine Inch Nails' Vrenna) she alternates between both extremes. Internet-active fans of the "Witchblade" comic book expressed both excitement and skepticism over the soundtrack. "I think it's a great idea!" Chris Rattray, 25, wrote in an e-mail. Rattray, who runs the "Disciples of the Blade" website out of Perth, Western Australia, said he's been eagerly awaiting the soundtrack's release and feels that the "tangible atmosphere" of the comic book will translate well musically. "I'm a sucker for concept albums, like Pink Floyd's The Wall. It'll be really interesting to see how the comic will be interpreted musically and whether a story will be able to be conveyed effectively." Bjelland said she trusts the soundtrack will turn fans on to the comic book and vice versa. Plans are currently in the works to make "Witchblade" into a television movie and a live-action series, she said. In addition to the aforementioned appearances by Megadeth and members of Nine Inch Nails, Songs of the Witchblade features a slew of other underground rock names, many of whom portray "Witchblade" characters on the soundtrack. King Buzzo (born Buzz Osborne), of the seminal hardcore group the Melvins, plays The Darkness, while Peter Steele, frontman for the gothadelic outfit Type O Negative, is "the evil assassin." Featured backup musicians include Babes in Toyland drummer Lori Barbero and original bassist Michelle Leon. The musical version of the comic also features industrial godfather J.G. (Jim) Thirwell of Foetus; no-wave pioneer and former Lounge Lizards co-founder Arto Lindsay; Hahn Rowe and Mimi Goese, former bandmates in the mood-rock band Hugo Largo; solo singer/songwriter Kim Fox; and rockers Subcircus. Among the many standout tracks is "Blue Valiant," the chorus of which features vocals by Bjelland's co-producer, Dave "Rave" Ogilvie, formerly of the electronic noise-core group Skinny Puppy. "I had this song that I was writing about my husband's car," Bjelland said, adding that most of the songs on the album have at least three subjects or meanings. "I couldn't get the chorus, and Dave came up with it, and it worked so well. I usually wouldn't be open to something like that -- him just coming into the song like that." |
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