about us
The Cathy Santonies are a subversive mix of riot grrrl & cock rock…now, don’t you wanna hear what that sounds like?
Here’s a review of what’s happening with The Santonies lately:
Check us on NPR’s Sound Opinions, playing Santonied-out versions of Weezer hits with none other than Rivers Cuomo himself. The show was broadcast internationally and was a featured podcast on iTunes.
The band also gets regular airplay on local Chicago college radio and online radio, like CHIRP!
Chicago Tribune’s 11 bands to watch in 2011
“Urgent and raucous, the Cathy Santonies are bringing riot grrl feminist politics and raw punk back to the fore with blunt force.”
Venus Zine
Happiness makes me a modern girl: The Cathy Santonies’ Radical Optimism:
“While the band fully acknowledges their label as feminist women playing rock music, it’s inseparable from their humanism. Though they still have obstacles facing them, this only makes the Santonies just as edgy as the provocative dialog of Bikini Kill and L7 in the early ‘90s.”
Jim DeRogatis @ Vocalo.org
“Simultaneously angry and celebratory, punk-minimal and metal-excessive, super-smart and wonderfully stoopid … More importantly, and as I’ve said before, in my contention, they’re one of the best up-and-coming bands in Chicago.”
Onion AVClub
“[The Santonies] reimagined the Weezer frontman’s songs live on the air and without any rehearsal time. (According to Cuomo, they bested the original compositions.)”
Chicago Tribune: Greg Kot
“For the Chicago trio of Radio Santoni, Mojo Santoni and Jane Danger, “rock” is a challenge not to be taken lightly.”
Loud Loop Press
“[The Cathy Santonies] have emerged as heir apparent to the throne of such influential women rock groups as Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney.”
***SANTONIES ON THE MOVE***
Chicago venues: The Hideout, The Abbey Pub, Double Door, Schuba’s, Elbo Room, Bottom Lounge, Beat Kitchen, Quenchers, The Mutiny, Whistler, Cal’s, and on and on.
Festivals and benefits:
Girls to the Front Milwaukee, Girls Rock! Chicago, Bloody Rag Collective Chicago, CHIRP Radio Chicago, Clitfest Chicago, For the Birds Comp (NYC), and others!
2011 will see The Santonies playing several small tours outside of Chi.
***SANTONI LOVE STORY***
Mojo and Radio Santoni started it years ago, creating tapes and tapes of rugged bedroom boombox recordings in southern Indiana. They moved it up north to Chicago and named themselves The Cathy Santonies, after an obscure sitcom character who was created to make girls think it’s normal to be mean to other girls—the name is ironic, okay? Later on, they met up with Three Dollar Bill’s Jane Danger while working with Girls Rock! Chicago. Then, one day, the ground opened up and, bathed in a single ray of light, a beacon of drumming fury burst forth from the netherworld. It was Chip. And the four of them lived happily ever after.
Mojo Santoni bangs out solid, catchy riffs and mind-blowing solos in a way that will make you want to run home to mommy. She is joined on guitar by the illustrious Jane Danger, who will hypnotize you with steady rhythms and intricate lead lines. You could try if you wanted, but the band’s message of girl rock revolution is impossible to ignore because of Radio Santoni’s powerful and unique voice. Chip’s solid, energetic drumming keeps everyone dancing their asses off. Well fuck yeah!
The Cathy Santonies–rock n roll is NOT dead.
The Cathy Santonies are:
Radio Santoni: vox/bass
Mojo Santoni: guitar/vox
Jane Danger: guitar/vox
Chip: drums