Dragsterbarbie are self proclaimed garage-pop princesses and quite frankly rock. The review of their fine CD can be read here. We caught up with them, and as is our way here at Indie Monkey, asked some silly questions. Enjoy.

1.Welcome to Indie Monkey ladies, make yourselves comfortable. Feel free to introduce yourselves to the people at home.
Hey, I’m Amy - songwriter, lead singer, & guitarist for dragsterbarbie.
Hello, I’m Kelly, dragsterbarbie’s drummer.
Hi, I’m Teresa, bass player & background vox.

2.So where did the name dragsterbarbie come from, and do the people at Mattel know?
It’s named after a drink. Think Shirley Temple only with lots of booze.

3.So lets face it, you are a cute damn group; do you worry that people/the media may just pick up on the image thing, and ignore the music?
If they do, it’s their loss. Being a girl band comes with its own image and stereotype built in anyway, so we figure you might as well have fun with it. Go-go boots can only take you so far if people aren’t into the music - it’s the songs that really win fans, but at least it gives ‘em something to look at while they’re enjoying the tunes.

4.You have some interesting song on your excellent CD. tell me how dragsterbarbie write and perfect their songs.
Amy brings songs to the band with lyrics and guitar and then we collectively hash them out and arrange them with our own brand of dragster flair.

5.Back in my youth I played in many a band, and simply put three pieces are much sexier than any other band variation, would you agree?
Of course. Power trios rock. There’s more space to move around and breathe in - stage space and sonic space. Plus, it takes guts to play with just 3 people - there’s nowhere to hide!

6.Women in rock are gaining acceptance from just about every quarter, but there is one stereotype that is still knocking around. A woman can't play the drums, now I don't agree but how would you answer that one?
3 syllables - Sheila E

7.So are you a 'have guitars will play' type of band, or a 'have guitars, just give us an hour to get the outfits and make-up right' type of band?
We like to plan the clothes we’re going to wear so that we have a general "look" for each show and so we look like a band, but we’re also in the habit of running through our set before we do a show. We always intend to leave ourselves time to get dressed, but what usually happens is that we work on songs ‘til the last possible second and end up applying make up in the car and getting dressed in the club’s bathroom. Sometimes we wind up with mascara on our noses, but at least we sound good.

8.What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Amy - I’ve wanted to write songs and sing ever since I can remember
Kelly - I wanted to raise horses until I spent 2 weeks at a racetrack that felt like 2 years...
Teresa - I wanted (and still aspire) to be that crazy cat lady on the corner in the big pointy roofed house who lives with 50 felines. I only have 2 so far, but I’m working on it.

9.So what is so special about nail polish?
Listen to the lyrics and figure it out yourself!

10.Help me out with a psychological study. You are in the wilderness, it is freezing cold and you are of course not dressed for it. There are five small, warm, intimate cabins in front of you, each one contains a different man.In(a) is Bill Clinton, in (b) is Gary Coleman, in (c) is Tony Danza, in (d) is Bob Dylan and in (e) is Prince Charles.Which would you enter, or would you rather face certain death.
That’s a no brainer - Bob Dylan, of course. We’d have him singing songs to us all night while strumming Amy’s Silvertone.

11.Another little quiz, you are putting on the ultimate 6 band gig, you of course are opening but who are the other 5 bands. You can choose anyone alive or dead, and if you wish you can even suggest a particular stage in a band's career.
Just 5 huh? OK, here goes:
1. Elvis Presley - in his country fair, denim rockabilly stage, before fame turned him into a sad, donut eating, jumpsuit wearing drug addict.
2.Joan Jett - because she rocks!!!
3.The Partridge Family - so we could ride in their bus
4.Jem and the Holograms - so we could be the Misfits
5.Billie Holiday - because that would just be amazing

12.Any song you particularly want to cover?
Moving on Up - (Jeffersons)

13.Name a band or artist who really needs to quit the business.
All those silly boy singing groups (Backstreet Boys, N’ Synch, etc) need to learn how to play some instruments or get out.

14.Every band says they love playing live, lots of them are lying, what do gigs mean to you?
We won’t lie and say it’s always a pleasant, euphoric experience. There are often factors like late nights; bad sound & lights; small, listless crowds; and low or no pay that can put a damper on playing live. However, when the crowd’s interaction and energy levels are high – even if their numbers are small - it makes all the other factors totally meaningless.

15.What is next for dragsterbarbie, more gigs, more songwriting, more recording, kidnapping record execs?
All of the above - except the record execs part. We own all the rights to our music and our website (merchandising) - who needs ‘em?

16.Everyone should visit your wonderful website www.dragsterbarbie.com of course, but are there any other sites you would recommend and why?
www.thehungersite.com - you can feed starving people with the click of a button.
www.Coolgrrrls.com - Very cool, international chick site.
www.Danelectro.com - Because we love Danelecto and they give us free stuff...
www.norfolkva.com/silvertone/Default.htm – Because Silvertones rule

17.So in honor of being the first interview on Indie Monkey will I get a mention in the thanks section of your huge, major label debut album?
But of course

18.Thank you and good morning/afternoon/night whatever.
No, thank YOU. Later.