Evil Stig is a beautiful marriage of Ohio punk band The Gits and rock icon Joan Jett. Joanie always had a punk soul, but she used her powers for rock n roll instead. As a massive fan of hers, I'll take any music she wants to put out. She changed the game of rock n roll, and laid the groundwork for future women in rock to come. I can pour my heart out all over this page about my affinity for Joan Jett, and how I fell in love with her at a very early age before I even knew who she was. But this post isn't about her, it's about Evil Stig. Like I said, it was a marriage made in heaven. Their peculiar name comes from the reverse of "Gits Live" and this self-titled record is the only one they put out together. Maybe someday I'll revisit this and actually do a post where I talk more about the importance of Joan Jett and her legacy...
This lone record by Evil Stig has quickly become one of my favorite punk records, as of late. It has the high-energy, hard driving rhythm section that any good punk record needs, as well as a pair of raw, unyielding guitars with some face-melting fretwork. All of that, topped with Joan Jett's passionate rasp, shows us that she is a natural born star with a punk soul and rock n roll heart. We've been hearing her music and seeing her play on stage for years before this record came into existence, but it seems with Evil Stig that we're truly seeing her for the first time in her natural habitat.
Before continuing, I think it's important to note that this album is essentially a compilation of The Gits hit songs, rerecorded with Joan Jett on vocals. There are a couple songs from Joan Jett's Pure and Simple record with The Blackhearts, and a new song by the group as well. They toured this record together in '95 with a series of benefit concerts to fund the investigation of the murder of Gits lead singer Mia Zapata, hence Joan Jett's inclusion.
I think it's very likely that my current punk-kick is actually BECAUSE of this record. Like I said, I've been on a big female-vocalist kick for a long while now, and as a result of that I found myself digging deeper into the discography of Joan Jett, which brought me to Evil Stig. Evil Stig reminded me of how much I love punk, which lead me to finding other acts such as L7 and Barb Wire Dolls. (Barb Wire Dolls are reportedly releasing new music soon, and you better believe there will be a post for it when that happens. Find them AND Evil Stig on Synic Selects Vol. I) So to boil it down, I don't know when my punk or female-vocalist kicks will end, eventually the day will come when I grow tired of it and move on to a different kick, but I can say with absolute certainty that I will never grow tired of Joan Jett, or the record Evil Stig (*EDIT or The Gits themselves.) Give it a listen for yourself and I think you'll see exactly what I mean. It's a more palatable punk record, for punk fans and non-punk fans alike to agree on. It's just fuckin' fun. And it's also probably the closest thing to grunge (90's Seattle punk) that I will listen to willingly. So there's that.
For more of my current Joan Jett-related obsessions, see the music video for "Doom or Destiny" by Blondie. And yes, there will very likely be a Synic's Spotlight shining on Blondie in the not-so distant future.
EDIT: I bought the entire Gits discography immediately after initially posting this. RIP Mia Zapata.
Evil Stig - Evil Stig
6 - 15 - 1995
1. Sign of the Crab
2. Bob (Cousin O.)
3. Drinking Song
4. Spear & Magic
5. Last to Know
6. Guilt Within Your Head
7. Whirlwind
8. Another Shot of Whiskey
9. Second Skin
10. Activity Grrrl
11. You Got a Problem
12. Crimson & Clover
13. Drunks
14. Go Home
Favorite Track: Bob (Cousin O.)
Least Favorite Track: Drunks
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