Voodoo Queens
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Anjali Bhatia |
| Headquarters | North London , England |
| Products | Indie punk and riot grrrl music |
The Voodoo Queens were an English indie punk and riot grrrl ensemble originating from North London, achieving the top position on the UK Indie Chart in 1993.
History
The group’s members comprised Anjali Bhatia (guitar and lead vocals), Ella Guru (guitar and backing vocals), Stefania 'Steffi' Lucchesini (drums), Rajni Bhatia (keyboards), and Anjula Bhaskar (bass). In 1994, Anjula was succeeded on bass by Rebecca Lunn, followed by Mary Deigan.
Formed in late 1992 after Anjali departed from Mambo Taxi, the Voodoo Queens included her sister Rajni, cousin Anjula, Ella Guru (also formerly of Mambo Taxi), and drummer Sunny. Remarkably, following only one live show, they secured a Peel session in January 1993, at a time when Anjali was employed at the Virgin Megastore on Oxford Street. The band went on to record two additional Peel Sessions and featured on Channel 4’s music programme Naked City, where they competed against Boyzone in a busking challenge.
Although the press associated them with the riot grrrl movement and other Asian-led bands such as Cornershop, Anjali remarked that media coverage tended to emphasize their scene connections over their actual musical output.
Following the group's dissolution, Ella Guru became involved with the Stuckist art movement starting in 1999. Anjali embarked on a solo path focusing on dance music releases under Wiiija Records. Mary Deigan joined The Hangovers and later collaborated with Ella Guru in Deptford Beach Babes. Steffi had a brief tenure performing with the post-punk act Gertrude.
Singles/EPs
- "Supermodel Superficial"/"Chocolate (Melt in Your Mouth)" (1993) Too Pure
- "Kenuwee Head"/"My Little Guitar Baby" (1993) Too Pure
- "F Is For Fame"/"I'm Not Bitter (I Just Want To Kill You) [Radio Nasty version]" (1994) Too Pure
- "Eat The Germs"/"Hairy" (1995) Voodoo Records
- "Neptune"/"I'm Not Bitter (I Just Want To Kill You)" (1995) Dirt Records [US release]
Albums
- Chocolate Revenge (1994) Too Pure ("You're Dumped", "Princess of the Voodoo Beat", "Neptune", "Summer Sun", "I'm Not Bitter (I Just Want to Kill You)", "Faceache", "Indian Film Star", "Cactus Trees", "Shopping Girl Maniac", "Chocolate Eyes", "My Favourite Handbag")
- Peel Sessions (1994) Strange Fruit