BATTLEAXXX IS READY TO ROCK THE 518, AND BEYOND
All-female trio aims to make “loud, aggressive noises”
Back in the day, the late great Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy asked the greatest existential query of all time. “Are you ready to rock?” Well, if the answer to that question is in the affirmative, you’d do well to check Battleaxxx. The Albany-based, all-female hard rock trio recently released its debut LP “Adequate.” It’s the first step in what the band considers its larger goal.
“World domination,” they wrote in an email exchange. “If we can schedule it, ‘cuz we’re busy.”
Guitarist Martha Moscowitz, bassist Megan Prokorym and drummer Brooke Degener have traveled in similar musical circles for years and played in various local bands. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that they really got to know each other. The three realized they had a common desire to make some noise. From there, Battleaxxx was born.
“We’re all fans of each other’s bands, and friends with friends of friends,” they explained. “Eventually we all ended up at the same party in the spring of 2019, had a late-night meeting of the minds, and had our first practice shortly after.
“We all felt the call of the feminine rock experience,” Battleaxxx continued. “There’s something important about making loud, aggressive noises without the men around. Usually, we’ve been the only chicks in the band – (it) feels good to be a group of full-grown hens.”
Ideas for songs came together quickly and by the start of 2020, Battleaxxx had enough material to record its first album.
Usually, once the beginning of last year enters the story, the coronavirus pandemic is next and with it a massive disruption of a band’s plans. But for Battleaxxx, it was the opposite. The pandemic made practicing and playing together more important than ever. And it provided the time to focus on getting their first album and its packaging exactly the way they wanted.
“We decided early on that we would pod ourselves in a rock bubble. Practice was a priority, as was finishing the record. And then practice became something important to look forward to as socialization opportunities were all cut off,” Battleaxxx
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We all felt the call of the feminine rock experience.”
— Battleaxxx
said. “We’re all essential workers, plus we have families. Brooke is a teacher, Martha is a grocery worker, and Meg is a public health practitioner. Battleaxxx practice was a crucial release valve for the pressures we were all under.
“Without the opportunity to play live, we could put our energy into all the logistics of completing the record: the mixing, the mastering, the art, the web stuff, the vinyl pressing,” they continued. “All that stuff took forever.”
“Adequate” was rehearsed and recorded in Moscowitz’s basement with the help of her husband, Frank. To bring the material to life, Battleaxxx recorded each rehearsal and played the tracks back. The ones that best fit the sound they "Adequate" the new Battleaxxx release. wanted made the record.
“When the song felt good and raw, and true, we kept it for the record,” they noted. “So each song was collected from practices as they felt the ripest. Perfection was certainly not the goal – which is part of the idea of ‘Adequate.’”
Battleaxxx is currently wrapping up writing for its second album. But before that gets record ed, the band will be performing a record release show for “Adequate” with Mr. Cancelled at the Madison Theatre on May 22. Battleaxxx looks forward to both performing and celebrating the
proud results of their camaraderie.
“This record feels like a culmination of our very adulthoods,” they enthused. “The whole process has been exceedingly fulfilling. We’re so super supportive of even the least gesture of each other, it’s nothing but high-fives every time we hang out.”