Last night I got stuck watching the Oscars at a bar, which was not what I was hoping to do with my night. However, it wasn't all a loss: Chris Rock's opening dialog was a solid critique of racism in Hollywood while What Happened, Miss Simone? was nominated for best documentary (which everyone should see, all hail Nina Simone!). But the top moment of the night was obviously when Mad Max: Fury Road won the award for Best Sound Editing. And, while the movie was beyond ridiculously fucking awesome, the real kicker was the fact that Kira Roessler was part of the movie's sound editing staff.
Now, hopefully most of you know a bit about Kira already, but for all the poseurs our there: Kira Roessler grew up in southern California, going to a super weird Scientology high school where she befriended Darby Crash and Pat Smear of the Germs. This paved the way for her playing bass in various punk bands such as Twisted Roots (also featuring Smear and brother Paul best known for his work in the Screamers) and, though nothing really more than a fill-in stint, DC3 (another band featuring her brother as well as Dez Cadena of Black Flag).
Kira is best known for her time spent in Black Flag (83-85), which is easily my favorite era of the band if you also include My War (the last record they recorded before Roessler joined). She could blast out the fast punchy basslines as well as get really weird and noodle-y as can be heard on the instrumental EP The Process Of Weeding Out. She did all of this while juggling her school schedule at UCLA. She also impressively managed to put up with a male-dominated hardcore scene while having to play "Slip It In" every night. Oh, and Henry Rollins while he talked shit on her in his tour diaries. Since Black Flag, she has stuck to playing in Dos, a 2-piece project with now ex-husband Mike Watt. They continue to play sporadically.
Although she's no longer a very active musician, she has definitely made good use of her time as a sound editor on a vast number of movies and television shows. In fact, she already has a couple Emmys under her belt from her work on Game Of Thrones and John Adams. It's comforting to know her Oscar won't be lonely.
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taken from UUUM, extra credit for spelling |
So let's celebrate punk rock's #1 super babe (sorry for the objectification, but I only speak the truth) and badass by watching her rock out on "Rat's Eyes" in '84. Also, enjoy Henry's whining at the end if that's your sorta thing.
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