The band Saint Bernadette is proof that it’s possible to be as sweet as an angel and edgy as hell at the same time. Despite the saintly name, lead singer Meredith DiMenna’s silky smooth vocals, and the fact that the band collects money for charity wherever it performs, what Saint Bernadette does best is thrash around on stage and belt out bad-to-the-bone, throwback-drenched tunes that will rock you to the core: ‘Face-melting rock,’ as Saint Bernadette describes it.
Their newest EP, Word To the Lourdes, doesn’t disappoint, pushing their sound to the next level, with obvious influences from Madonna–not the religious icon, but the incomprehensibly fabulous pop star, circa 1980s–and running the gamut from hardcore(‘Wrap It Up’) to heartbreaking (‘Don’t Take This Away’). The album’s title is a nod to both Madonnas.
Saint Bernadette plans to release two additional EPs this year, but you don’t have to wait to get your rock on–the band is playing a series of live shows starting April 22. The first stop, on Wednesday, is Le Poisson Rouge in New York.
Cash collected for charity will go to relief efforts for the DiMenna’s family’s hometown of L’Aquila, Italy, recently devastated by the earthquake; and New York artist Tara Meadows’ forthcoming photography book about the homeless.
Also, if you haven’t heard the new EP, the band is posting a different track on its blog each day, with a promised ‘special surprise’ on April 21st . You can also get a free mp3 of the song ‘Already Gone’ here . FYI, DiMenna is also the voice of Chunky Pam –funny and worth checking out if you haven’t already.
Live Show Dates for Saint Bernadette (click on the links for more info):
Apr 22: New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge (CD release party) w/ 357 Lover, Josh Bloom and Vibrarmony
April 24: Danbury, CT SubRosa Party At Cousin Larry’s
April 25: Hamden, CT The Space (Battle Of The Bands, Semi Finals)
April 26: Meriden, CT Hubbard Park (The Daffodil Festival)
April 30: Brooklyn, NY Southpaw w/ The Bells, Mixtape, and Thin Veil
May 2: Stamford, CT Rack n Roll
May 5: New Haven, CT Cafe Nine w/ The Wiles
May 30: Bridgeport, CT Sweetport Festival w/ Mates of State
–Jax
