Venus and the Razorblades
| Company type | Punk rock ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Kim Fowley |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Venus and the Razorblades was a short-lived punk rock ensemble originating from Los Angeles, California, created and managed by Kim Fowley following his departure from The Runaways in 1976. They are recognized as one of the pioneering American punk bands featuring both male and female members.
Following Fowley’s initial exit from the Runaways in September 1976, and prior to his return for their sophomore album Queens of Noise, he formed Venus and the Razorblades. His concept for the group was a mixed-gender lineup reminiscent of "Fleetwood Mac or ABBA," which he marketed as "Kiss and Aerosmith combined with ABBA." The band’s name was originally reserved for the Runaways but remained unused.
The lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Roni Lee (Rhonda Lee Ryckman); guitarist/vocalist Steven T.; bassist Danielle Faye (previously with Atomic Kid, later joining The Zippers); drummer Nickey Beat (who later played with The Weirdos and the Germs)—soon replaced by Kyle Raven—and vocalists Dyan Diamond and Vicki Razorblade (Vicki Arnold). At the time of formation, Diamond was 14 years old, and Razorblade was 17.
Venus and the Razorblades made their live debut at the Starwood in early November 1976. Later that month, they performed alongside Fowley’s band The Quick during "Kim Fowley presents Punk Rock" events at the Whisky a Go Go, followed by headlining shows and opening performances for Van Halen in December at the same venue.
In early 1977, The Runaways recorded two tracks originally by Venus and the Razorblades: "Alright You Guys" and "I Wanna Be Where the Boys Are," both featured on their Live in Japan album. Moreover, Cherie Currie included "Young and Wild" on her solo project, while Van Halen recorded a demo version produced by Ted Templeman. Venus and the Razorblades issued a single named "Punk-a-Rama" via Bomp Records, which included an excerpt from a press conference on its flip side.
Although Island Records expressed interest and brought the band into studio sessions, they opted not to release the finished album. Subsequently, Bob Ezrin produced recordings that were accepted by Atlantic Records; however, no official release followed. Internal conflicts contributed to the group’s dissolution in 1977. A compilation titled Songs from the Sunshine Jungle was posthumously released in July 1978 through Visa Records.
Following the breakup, Fowley focused on launching Dyan Diamond’s solo career with MCA Records; her 1978 album In the Dark did not achieve commercial success. Between 1977 and 1978, Roni Lee worked with prominent musicians such as Randy California from Spirit and members of Steppenwolf. In 2004, Charlatan Records released a sequel CD called More Songs From The Sunshine Jungle. In 2013, Lee earned an endorsement from Paul Reed Smith guitars in recognition of her unique style and influence within punk. She subsequently released Heros of Sunset Blvd. in 2016.
The Woman's International Music Network acknowledges Venus and the Razorblades alongside The Runaways for challenging gender norms within a predominantly male punk rock environment.
External links
- [Allmusic]
- [Venus and the Razorblades]