COMATEENS

Back in the 1970s, women in punk bands were far outnumbered by their male counterparts, and women who wrote punk songs were even more rare. Ramona Jan formed Comateens in 1978 with Nick Dembling. She wrote, played guitar and sang on the 2 songs included on this exciting new, deluxe reissue, which includes liner notes by both Nick and Ramona. Nick sings lead on Danger Zone, Ramona on Elizabeth’s lover (which was recorded at the same time as Danger Zone, but not previously released). She left the band shortly after the release of the Comateens single to found the more New Wave-oriented Dizzy & The Romilars (think Waitresses, B-52s, etc.), who recorded and released their own version of Elizabeth’s  Lover. In between, Ramona produced the much-loved and sought-after, “Drive My Car” EP by NastyFacts (Jimboco 1981/2022 Left For Dead reissue). If you like first wave punk, pop punk and alternative music made in a time when genres were still fluid and the rules had yet to be written, you’re going to love this record!