arly 'Pre-Danny' Botswanas gigs were entertaining mostly for the Yagermeister induced rantings of lead singer Eileen Ziontz. The stress, combined with inherent nervousness before a gig made Eileen guzzle the stuff like Hawaiian Punch on a 90 degree day. Her first public appearance on stage is fossilized in my memory, as she dug her claws in my upper arm seconds before our makeshift group was set to go. It was at the Grotto, circa 1988, at a benefit gig where members of different local goups would get together to play a few songs. It was Price and myself on guitars, Danny as lead vocalist, Eileen on organ, plus Monica whats-her-name on bass (now bassist for Sit 'N Spin) and a nameless drummer. We were set to play "Wooly Bully" and "Cara-Lin". Seconds before we started, Eileen quivered, "I can't do this!", to which I sneered JUST SHUT UP AND PLAY! As I watch her now, it's hard to believe she was that same girl from a decade ago. The organ has been banished to the closet, and the shades appear as her mood strikes. With mic in hand, Eileen struts and roams about the stage like a caged tigress. You don't wanna get too close, fellas. I love her off-the-wall sense of humor and between song banter. She iced some moron fratboy at one gig with a few choice words - he thought that any group with a "chick" should be Veruca Salt...

Price in the studio

Price Harrison's understated guitar lines and riffs are the key ingredient of the 'less-is-more' commandment that makes the Botswanas' original songs stand out. Self-indulgent and egotistical are two traits that will never apply to this guy. His down to earth personality and wizardry of the toys and techniques of recording are unequaled. He's the only guy I know who can get a biting guitar tone with just one minimal effects pedal and a tiny amp that fits on a folding chair. He and Eileen work out riffs and ideas for Botswanas songs in his tiny, yet swank apartment, testing and recording different riffs to see if and how they can fit together. A recent example is their new song "Jennifer" (make this a 45, PLEASE!) to which Price explained, "That song, like most of our stuff, develops when Eileen and I put different riffs together, then add a melodic vocal line over it. We rarely write chords over a melody." This new original also sports the welcome addition of Price's airy, harmony vocal backings during the chorus. I hope there's more of that in the future...

The drummer's seat was the constant variable within the Botswanas lineup, going back to day one. I can't begin to list them all, but Kami Candella left the group last winter, prompting Eileen and Price to recruit the talents of Joe Rizzo, veteran NYC drummer. Both ex-drummers can be heard on "Mockers And Rods", and the Botswanas 1995 debut CD "Cream Machine". With Joe unable to fully commit due to other musical commitments, the group met a fan at one of their New York City gigs who just happened to be a drummer. "Can't pass that up," Price noted to me before the debut of transplanted Chicagoan drummer Linda Brosseau at a New Haven gig this past spring. The youngest member, Linda is another rare find in that "She keeps it simple," according to Price. Linda then made the trip up to Toronto as the group played their third North By Northeast music festival, and was announced as a permanent Botswana shortly thereafter...

No matter what I've said, words still fail me when it comes to describing the sound of the Botswanas. Some people have tried to put a classification tag on 'em for convenience. Many pigeon-hole their sound as a 60's meets 70's garage-punk sound. During their trek to Austin last March for the South By Southwest music festival, some fizzbrained hairstylist chick masquerading as a music critic (stick to hair highlights and curlers, babe) proved she listened to 20 seconds of a few songs off "Mockers And Rods" via her review. She summed up her empty-headed critique by describing thesound of the Botswanas as a 'paint-by-the-numbers tribute to the bands they idolize'. Said chick then cited several 60's garage and 70's glam groups, probably culled from her "How To Be A Hip In The Know Critic Without Hearing The Music" reference guide. One group which the Botswanas supposedly rip-off : the New York Dolls! WHAT???!!!??? The Botswanas have ZERO in common with the Dolls, a comparison which amuses both Price and myself. Ditto the reviewers who conveniently categorize the Botswanas as a "Garage" band - also off the mark. I hear the influence, but the actual sound is beyond that tag. Grab a copy of "Cream Machine" and snag the upcoming CD on Music Tracks which will be out in conjunction with the group's tour through Spain in September. Both have the individualist anthem, "Do You Wanna Be Like Them"; one of the BEST rock 'n roll songs recorded by ANYBODY in the 1990's. Penned by Price along with his brother Mark Harrison, the song contains all the elements I've described in this article, coupled with an ultra-hooky riff and a chorus chant that sticks in your head forever. Price notes that the group has played this song at every gig since its debut at a gig at Cheri's in New Haven. Just seconds after I heard the opening riff by Price that night, I knew this song was the best I've heard by anyone in YEARS. And it still sounds as good as anything played on assorted music channels, commercial radio, or songs raved about in trade mags or obscure fanzines. If you've not heard it, or any of the Botswanas stuff, I implore you to purchase, borrow, or steal both of their CD's. I'm a fan, and yeah, they're friends of mine, and I hereby jettison all objectivity in telling you: the Botswanas are THAT GOOD. I'm not always right, but I'm never wrong.

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