The Heroine Sheiks
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Shannon Selberg, George Porfiris, Norman Westberg, John Fell |
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, DVDs |
The Heroine Sheiks was a noise rock group originating from New York, established in 1999 by Shannon Selberg, George Porfiris, Norman Westberg, and John Fell. As the chief composer, Selberg developed a darker and more ominous sound compared to his earlier work with The Cows.
Their band name alluded to the 1990s heroin chic fashion phenomenon, while their music incorporated themes of dark humor influenced by the writings of Louis-Ferdinand Céline.
History
The initial formation consisted of Selberg, Porfiris, and J Bryan Bowden. Upon Porfiris' suggestion, Westberg joined the group and subsequently brought in Fell as drummer. Their debut single was released through Amphetamine Reptile Records, featuring tracks such as "Heroine Sheiks," "We Are The," "Let's Fight," and "Swedish Fly." Supported by New York City's underground music scene, they secured a full-length album contract with Reptilian Records. Their album Rape on the Installment Plan is considered a landmark in art and noise rock genres. Members had backgrounds in notable bands including Swans, The Cows, and Foetus. Keyboardist Scott Hill contributed significantly to live performances with his energetic presence complementing Selberg’s provocative stage persona.
In 2001, Porfiris left the band and was replaced by bassist Eric Eble. The group signed with Rubric Records and released the single "Best Enemies/Oucha" along with their second album, Siamese Pipe. This follow-up featured popular tracks like "Army Brat" and "Mas Suicide," characterized by improved production quality and a more cohesive rhythm section that enhanced the interplay between Selberg’s keyboards and Westberg’s guitar work. The band embarked on a nationwide tour, broadening their audience, with Scott Hill and Creighton Chamberlain handling keyboard duties during live shows.
By 2003, Westberg departed and was succeeded by Martin Ros from Sons of Mata Hari, whose style meshed well with the band's evolving direction. Drummer John Fell left due to hearing complications, followed by Eble’s exit in 2004. Ros facilitated the addition of bassist Rob Kimball and drummer Eric Robel, also from Sons of Mata Hari. This revitalized lineup invigorated Selberg’s songwriting efforts. A Midwest tour took place in 2004 before they began working on new demo material. Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers invited them to join his project "Gibby Haynes and His Problem" for a 30-day tour, during which they completed a demo in 2005.
Their album Out of Aferica, released on Reptilian Records in mid-2005, received strong critical acclaim—marking their most celebrated work since their debut. Recorded rapidly over two days and mixed within a week, it displayed Selberg’s broad creative expression through a more rock-centric sound. A subsequent U.S. tour followed; however, limited exposure made sustaining momentum challenging. The New York era concluded in March 2006 when Selberg moved to Minneapolis.
In Minneapolis, Selberg formed a new incarnation of The Heroine Sheiks featuring bassist Jesse Kwakenat (STNNNG), drummer Bruce "BJ" Wuollet (Disasteratti), Paul Sanders (Hammerhead), and Sarah Huska (Ouija Radio). They issued the limited edition CD Journey to the End of the Knife and toured across the country.
Albums
- Rape on the Installment Plan (2000, Reptilian)
- Siamese Pipe (2002, Rubric)
- Out of Aferica (2005, Reptilian)
- Journey to the End of the Knife (2008, Amphetamine Reptile)
Singles
- "Heroine Sheiks" (1999, Reptilian)
- "Best Enemies/Oucha" (2002, Rubric)
DVDs
- Live at The Ottobar (2005, Robellion DVD)
External links
- (archived February 11, 2012)