Girl in a Coma

All Music Guide:

Naming themselves in homage of the Smiths' song "Girlfriend in a Coma," Girl in a Coma started in San Antonio, TX, with bassist Jenn Alva and drummer Phanie Diaz, two best friends who bonded thanks to a shared interest in Nirvana and the Smiths. The duo endured several failed experiments in both band lineups and musical styles before discovering that Nina Diaz, Phanie's younger sister, possessed talent as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Though Nina was only 12 when she performed her first song for them, both Alva and Diaz recognized her potential. After recruiting the younger Diaz, Girl in a Coma spent five years writing, performing, and touring before coming to the attention of label reps and tour managers in the summer of 2004. One of the managers sent a homemade demo tape to Morrissey music director Boz Boorer; after hearing it, Boorer invited the trio to London to record its first demo. Soon after returning, Girl in a Coma found themselves featured in a television documentary about emerging Latino bands. As part of the show, the group went to New York City for a show at the Knitting Factory and a surprise meeting with Joan Jett. While on camera, Jett and her producing partner Kenny Laguna praised the trio's set -- and invited the band to join the Blackheart Records label. Girl in a Coma accepted and released their debut album, Both Before I'm Gone, in May 2007.

Wikipedia:

Girl In a Coma is an indie rock band from San Antonio, Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of sisters Nina (vocals/guitar) and Phanie Diaz (drums) and long-time friend, Jenn Alva (bass). The name is a reference to The Smiths' song "Girlfriend in a Coma". Before they were called Girl in a Coma, they were Sylvia's Radio and Girls in a Coma.

History [edit]

In 2006, while filming the television series pilot for the SiTV show Jammin, the girls met one of their musical idols, Joan Jett. Joan Jett and producer Kenny Laguna signed the girls to a contract with Blackheart Records as a result of seeing them perform at the Knitting Factory in New York City for the television show.

In October 2007, while in New York, Girl in a Coma were called by Morrissey to open for the remainder of his tour.

Besides Morrissey, Girl in a Coma have opened for Frank Black, The Pogues, Tegan and Sara, Social Distortion and many more.

The band played at the SXSW Music Festival in 2007, 2009, and again in 2010. They also performed on the True Colors Tour 2008.

In early 2008, their song "Clumsy Sky" won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Punk Song.

In the summer of 2010, Girl in a Coma played at Polish Woodstock in front of a crowd of 300,000.

Drummer Phanie Diaz and bass player Jenn Alva are both openly lesbian.

Music Videos [edit]

Both Before I'm Gone (2007)

Trio B.C. (2009)

Adventures In Coverland (2010)

Exits and All the Rest (2011)