The all-female Jersey Shore outfit Tight Lipped make punk rock sexy again, yet inject it with as much attitude as it’s ever had. The frisky four-piece led by scene veteran Joy Vay of TV Tramps infamy had been working hard in support of an excellent seven-song debut EP, “So Tight,” and will do so again hopefully soon. In the meantime, Joy is working on a new TV Tramps project, as well as a new band, Death Rattle, with TV Tramps bassist Sweet Tooth, and opening the House of Trash boutique in Asbury Park. On behalf of her Tight Lipped bandmates -- co-founding bassist-vocalist Samantha Slick, lead guitarist Lauren “Blue” Fox and drummer drummer Kat DaVille -- Joy talked about these plans, which hopefully will include a spot with Black Clouds, 19DRT and VSSLS on May 30 at the Brighton Bar as part of Makin Waves Fest 2020 if the Brighton can reopen by then.
You not only are a musician, you’re also a bartender, including at the Brighton Bar, a venue you often play. Comment on how you’re dealing with that loss of livelihood.
Surprisingly and luckily enough, my life has only been affected positively since this whole paranoia pandemic started to hit home. I was hired as a decorator on the Shadowbrook restoration crew the same week everything was shut down, plus I’m in the process of opening House of Trash boutique in Asbury Park. The New Trash Order is upon us.
Are you originally from the Jersey Shore?
Born and raised. Born at Jersey Shore Medical Center on a hot ‘n’ steamy summer morning.
What made you fall in love with punk rock?
To me, as a kid, it was weird and badass, like listening to a Jackson Pollock.
Who is in Tight Lipped, what do they play, and what other bands have they been in?
We have founding member and rock n rolla Samantha Slick on bass and vox. Lauren Blue Fox of Speed Queen and Buzzard Wagon on lead guitar, and you may have seen our drummer Kat DaVille in her other bands, The Bloody Muffs and Black Light Medusa.
What do you like most about each of them and why?
They keep it tight (laughs).
How and why do Tight Lipped take a different approach to punk?
We’re like the sexy punk rock A-Team.
What’s up with TV Tramps?
I miss playing with my boys as much as we used to and hoping to put out another record with TVT when we all can sync up. I’m actually starting another band with our bassist Sweet Tooth so look out for the heinous sounds of Death Rattle in the next six months.
In what other music projects are you involved?
I have a synthy project called Sugar Babylon with my partner in crime Taps of old school hardcore band Arrogant Response. It’s been in the works for a lil’ bit, plus some Joy Vay solo work that has yet to be defined.
Why is the Brighton Bar important?
Because it reflects the soul of rock n roll.
Is there anything I didn’t ask on which you would like to comment?
Bill Gates is the Anti-Christ.
Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.
