RIP X Ray Spex Singer Poly Styrene

Poly Styrene of X Ray Spex- When I was testing on my walkman how far the signal reached from the pirate radio station in the basement of the punk house years ago, the album I put on was Germ Free Adolescents. The filter wasn't on yet, which meant that all you could hear in an 8 block radius was X Ray Spex, which was AWESOME. Walking around midtown forcing everyone to listen to Poly was exciting! And I loved that album. Even before I heard it I was being compared to her lyrically and in the singing. I had heard "Identity" years before on a compilation and it had gotten in my head. I would have never written "Freaks Like Us" without her. She was a great inspiration to me and helped shape my aesthetic of the world. RIP Poly Styrene. You are missed so much.

Off colour but true accordion humour!

Husband: "Well, sex is more fun than playing accordion"
Wife (without pause) "It is?"

Vagabond Opera at the Firehouse 5, Sacramento, CA April 2011 WEST COAST TOUR!

The Dead Milkmen saved my ass in a "Tiny Town"

One thing that has continually brought me joy this week is finally having probably the first punk rock album I ever heard again, "Big Lizard in My Backyard" by the Dead Milkmen. Listening to it again, I realize what a huge effect it had on my lyrics, bass playing, and general attitude. I spent ages writing down lyrics and singing along to some of these songs with my friends. Like "Tiny Town" or most definitely, "Bitchin' Camaro!" and each song I hear I like even more than before. Sometimes the guitar sounds way out of tune even. But it's the best! :) I might have to learn a song on accordion even! They also had accordion on their song "Punk Rock Girl"!
-Julie the Bruce

Julie the Bruce playing Thursday March 24th with Buster Blue at The Fungarden!

New Song Posted on Reverbnation, "Butter on My Toast!"

I'm JUST talking about making breakfast. Really! I wrote this song a number of years ago, while making breakfast. Yep.

I'm On TV! KVIE Channel 6 Sacramento valley

Here's some stills from a photo shoot from an underwriting spot my job did for KVIE. One thing I will say is, gosh darnit, don't ask me to smile, you camera punk! With those bright "Diva Lights" on me I'm getting ideas about what will come after I bare my teeth for you!