CLOVER HONEY
WAVELENGTH #31
SEPTEMBER 10 - 12AM
Clover Honey is a fine new trio of rocking girls (Anita L. Binder, Lauree
Thomlinson, Amy Brannen) coming at ya from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Their debut album, Go Horse Go, on Lance Rock Records, is a definite pop
treat — sassy vocals, rockin’ guitars and propellant drums. I asked them a
few questions via email and they were swell enough to rise above and beyond
the occasion with their answers — although I do want to make them a mix tape
so they can learn the joy of “High School Confidential” and “To Sir With
Love”. — Zombiegirl
(The following were answered by Anita L. Binder…)
Please grade the following songs (using the standard A-E scale) for enjoyment
and listenability. Feel free to make additional comments.
a) Alice Cooper “School’s Out” A The ultimate emancipation song
b) The Beach Boys “Be True to Your School” C Pretty soft-core lame
c) Ramones “Rock’n’Roll High School” A+ Possibly the most catchy song ever
d) Rough Trade “High School Confidential” N/A (not familiar with)
e) Van Halen “Hot For Teacher” A+ Bonus points for killer video
f) The Flashing Lights “Highschool” A Great drumming and lyrics
g) Spinal Tap “Bitch School” A Ya can’t go wrong with Spinal Tap
h) Guided By Voices “Big School” N/A (not familiar with — I know we lose
indie cred for this one)
i) Crosby, Stills and Nash “Teach Your Children Well” N/A (not familiar with
and sounds like it’s better that way)
j) Lulu “To Sir With Love” N/A (not familiar with)
k) Beastie Boys “The Sounds of Science” A+ “Dropping science like Galileo
dropped an orange”, my favorite record ever!
l) Paul Simon “Me and Julio (Down by the School Yard)” A-
What are the five best things about the Vancouver music scene?
1. The Brickyard (one fine rock venue)
2. The Good Jacket Presents: Vancouver Special (Mint Records CD comp.)
3. Mint Records
4. Shindig competition (CITR [UBC radio] battle o’ the bands)
5. Cool music supporters like SuperFans Brian, Janet and Chris
The five worst?
1. Loading gear in the rain
2. Geographic isolation (few nearby cities henceforth many bands bypass when
touring especially American ones who are prone to cavity searches… not
joking!)
3. Lack of venues
4. General apathy of audiences (sometimes)
5. Expensive practice spaces
Clover Honey would be a great name for a super-hero and/or Russ Meyer super
vixen style actress. Describe what Clover Honey would look/act like if she
was a person.
Lauree’s version of the character Clover Honey:
She’s a superhero by day,
traveling the world on a search-and-destroy mission to conquer evil, famine
and bad hair. By night she’s a Russ Meyer super vixen; a bodacious babe with
big hair and dressed to kill. A lush cushion of evil perched on the throne
of immorality. A captivating rock wonder, telling off the audience the way
that Angel tells off Bert in Good Morning And Goodbye. She has a certain je
ne sais quoi that makes all the men flock to her. (P.S. One day we want to
get big boofy wigs and purchase some DD-size bras which we will then stuff
with socks, and play a show as supervixens.
Wouldn’t that be a good theme show?)
Here’s a chance to play advice columnist. Give some advice on how to make
friends for people starting new schools this year.
• breathmints
• cool footwear
• drink just enough alcohol to make you more talkative, but not enough to
make you puke, unless you’re fond of those “oh my god you were sooo wasted
last night...” post-party brag-fests (Lauree’s advice)
• go out and get stinkin’ drunk every night. Everybody loves a drunk!
(Anita’s advice)
• be nice; don’t be a jerk
• have good hygiene; this means brush your teeth at least twice a day and
wash your hair once in awhile
• catch up on your soap operas, if you want to bond with the other girls on
your floor (Lauree’s advice)
The Salteens’ Scott Walker vs. Zumpano’s Carl Newman: Who is the West Coast
heart-throb?
Neither. Nardwuar all the way, baby!!!
When did you rockin’ ladies hook up and decide to play music together?
Anita and Lauree hooked up with guitarist Omar in September 1997. Soon after,
Omar announced his departure for Ottawa, and once Lauree and Anita stopped
crying, found Amy, who was a perfect fit. This was in January 1998. The rest
is Clover Honey history, and it’s been smashing.
You write some great lyrics. Do any of you dabble in poetry? If so, would you
be kind enough to share some with Wavelength readers?
Lauree says: Anita writes good lyrics… She has a way with words, and was born
to write metaphors. I try, but everything that comes out sounds cheesy to
me. Most poetry annoys me, so it’s difficult to write lyrics that are
sing-worthy. Amy comes up with good stuff right on the spot.. she’s a little
whippersnapper, that one.
Anita’s fully lame poem:
We’re gonna play Ted’s Wrecking Yard
I hope I get in since I was previously barred
I got into a fistfight with a hoe after my man
At that point the bar-brawl began
The place erupted into utter chaos
A couple of my teeth I lost!
I bolted for the door
Big bouncer announced I’m welcome no more
I’m smarter than they think
I’ve since dyed my hair in the sink
Blonds have more fun, right?
Well, come check us out on Sunday night!