The Chubbies
Tres Flores

It happened to come into my hands again this morning while I was distractedly "leafing through" my vinyl collection; once again being struck by the cover where the smiling Jeannette, Kelly, and Christene invited me to listen to this little PowerPopPunk gem. Which I did immediately.

But who are these The Chubbies? A brief history of the Californian band. They started in the early nineties simply as Chubbie and as a "one girl band," meaning Jeannette; she self-produces, writes lyrics and music, and takes care of the arrangements. She releases an EP and the first full-length album; meets Christene and entrusts her with the drums, while she takes care of guitar and vocals. With the addition of bassist Kelly, we arrive at 1997 and the album "Tres Flores."

To talk to you about the album, I have to go back to May 1999 when I saw the girls in concert in nearby Verbania; in a historic basement of my area called "Perchè No?" A small and cozy place that organized alternative concerts for years (Statuto, Senzabenza, Converge, Linea 77, etc., etc., passed through there). The bassist was missing, but none of the large audience noticed because the two American girls were overwhelming: College-Rock with that noisy, carefree, and engaging Punk energy. Many of those present, even without knowing any of the proposed songs, were infected by this hour of music and pogoed without hesitation throughout the show; I did my best to coordinate the movements of those present: I was known (and for some, I remain) by the funny nickname of PogoMan!!

At the end of the evening, it was mandatory to purchase "Tres Flores," which I had autographed; and you can still read the dedications from the two girls: "Lorenzo!! Verbania Mania..." (Christene); "Lorenzo love you" (Jeannette). A perfect and unforgettable evening, one of the many spent in that smoky Verbania cellar.

The album is a small but joyful treasure; the recording quality isn't the best, but who cares!?!. Ten tracks where the melodic energy of our girls shines through: among choruses that smell of Ronettes; dirty yet very catchy guitar riffs worthy of the best Shonen Knife; brief Pop-Punk bursts, like the second track "Play Me," with a bittersweet flavor that sounds like listening to the Ramones who have hung up their leather jackets, wearing skirts and garter belts!!

Start from the beginning, with the first track "Heather Dances By Herself," featuring a super contagious chorus halfway through: after listening to it, I bet you'll be singing it in the shower, in the car, strolling with family, everywhere. Smiling, like the girls on the cover!!!

Ad Maiora.