Album Stream: Fake Purr - Fake Purr (Music Month Special)

We are pretty hyped about the fourth and final installment of our special album streaming series for New Zealand Music Month. This week's offering is legendary female punk group Fake Purr, who banded together in the mid-nineties to bring their own rebellious brand of riot grrl music to Auckland audiences.

The four-piece was formed when members Brenda Dwayne and Stephanie Cook worked together at the university library. Dwayne won a Carpenter's cover contest on bFM, when she performed a song over the phone during the breakfast show. The pair went on to record a bunch of songs on Dwayne's four-track, and while relatively happy with the results they thought they could be improved by adding real drums (instead of a cardboard box) and perhaps some bass. At the time Cook worked in K' Rd's Bunny Boutique and asked her boss Stella Corkery (Flying Nun/Siltbreeze band Queen Meanie Puss) to drum for the them. Another friend, Brigid, was at the time the bass player and singer for the Doris Days and was asked to take up bass duties. And so Fake Purr was born.

During their time together, the band recorded a couple of lathe cut 7-inch records and played a ton of shows which drew a colourfully mixed audience that went especially rabid in the mosh pit to crowd favourite, 'Bear Wolf'. The group were a core part of the local riot grrl scene and played regular shows with The Coolies, Sound Laydee, Goldifox, and the Jewl Of Bessamoocho. Fake Purr eventually came to a natural conclusion and its members are all still pursuing music and other artistic endeavours.

This stream consists of their second 7-inch and a bunch of demos. It was recorded on cassette four-track around 2002 and is a fantastically raucous offering, kicking straight into action with thrashy opener 'Nazi Fuckwit'. Hat tip to Alan Holt for his valuable assistance in bringing this stream together. Enjoy!