Rude Grl & CC – Interview
Rude Grl & CC recently released their debut EP, “Like Wow”, a blend of punk and hip hop and it’s ace! “Like Wow” tackles subjects such as racial abuse, and homophobia. Personal struggles with addiction and sexual abuse. Recovery and turning anger into positive energy and breaking free from struggle! The three piece comprise of Chris Constantinou, who has been part of Adam Ant’s band (including performing at Live Aid!), Jenna Dickens who has provided vocals for Basement Jaxx and Bunni Morretto, previous runner up for Miss Burlesque UK in 2018 who is the visual element of the band. We were able to catch up with them and have a little chat…
Hey, welcome to Lights Go Out, cheers for chatting with us. So first up, how’s it going? It’s crazy times right now, how are you coping?
Jenna (Rude GRL): I wasn’t coping at the beginning ahaha but now I’m just writing a lot & listening to music keeping connected to friends as much as I can possibly stand zoom…
CC: Keeping creative, fit and healthy and working on second album with Jenna.
Bunni: Well after nearly dying from Corona I was like yaaaaasss I’m free!!! Living my best life, then I got BORED AF!!!! Now I’m kind of getting used to this weird new way of living, Zooming with friends and watching documentaries.
Let’s talk about the new EP, “Like Wow”, can you tell us a bit about what people can expect?
Jenna (Rude GRL): The new EP is in your face uncensored & totally unapologetic! Sharing our truth & letting it all rip.
CC: It’s pure energy and was written and recorded pretty much in 10 mins… it’s quite a short song but Jenna had missed her train after a session we had and had 30 mins to kill so we just knocked LIKE WOW out.
Musically you seem to blend hip hop and rock sounds, but in your own words how would you describe your sound?
Jenna (Rude GRL): yeah it’s a tough one to say really, it’s like some new hybrid sound. I’d say we fit in with Rap-Rock, Punk-Rap maybe Grime-Punk?
CC: Punk – Twang – Surf – Psychedlia – Hip Hop – Grime
Lyrically, you speak about your own personal struggles, is it easy for you to write about these things?
Jenna (Rude GRL): It’s actually a real relief to get it all out in a healthy way. I spent so much time burying all this trauma & drenching it in alcohol for so long so it’s really freeing to just let it out & be free to express myself.
Are you hoping that listeners will take inspiration from your words and being so open will create positivity for others who have experienced or still are experiencing the likes of racism and homophobia?
Jenna (Rude GRL): I do hope it helps people to share their truth & to know they’re not alone… but to be honest it’s really helping me a lot just by getting it out & reclaiming what’s mine.
Have you a message for them you’d like to pass on?
Jenna (Rude GRL): I’d just say to reach out & ask for help. There’s really no shame in asking for help. We can’t do it all alone & we don’t have to anymore.
So what’s the plan for 2021, you have the EP out in Jan, any plans already in the pipeline for more recordings?
Jenna (Rude GRL): yeah we have a few releases we are really excited about! Brand New Cadillac the Vince Taylor classic comes out on Cleopatra records Jan 20th! With 2 remixes of Like WOW & OverKill produced by Brandon from the Dandy’s which is awesome! We are also currently working on a Womxn empowerment project for Universal. & getting our 2nd EP release ready for release which I’m REAAALLLY excited about too.
CC: Jan we have the Like Wow EP out on Firefly and our version of Brand New Cadillac out on Cleopatra Records – We are working an EP for Universal Music in LA also in Jan – Writing 2nd album – remixes – promoting the first album.
How about any kind of live shows as and when they can happen again? Anything in the works?
Jenna (Rude GRL): We are ready to go! Just waiting on miss rona to sort our lives out haha. The live show is going to be mental! Twerking + Full band it’s going to be LIT!
CC: In Jan we will chat with booking agents re live work.
Bunni: We can’t wait for Live and to tear up the stage!!!! Twerking and LOTS of surprises eeeekkkk.
The visuals seem very important to you as well, is that the case and how do you feel the visuals portray the band?
Bunni: Hell yeah!!! Twerking, Strippers, Punk and a whole lot more! Coming from an acting and burlesque background where I bought bashment to the burlesque scene I’m bringing the performance element to the band. The live shows that we have in store are going to be LIT.
Where are the best places for people to check out what you’re about?
Jenna (Rude GRL): We are on Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/rudegrlandcc
Also just set up Instagram & Twitter so come follow & tag us! @rudegrlandcc
I have to ask, I’m sure you’ve been asked this countless times already, so apologies for that, but how did the collaboration come about?
CC: We met through Sony way back.
You covered “Brand New Cadillac”, a track that was made famous by The Clash, what drew you to this particular song and are The Clash a huge influence on you?
CC: We were commissioned to write some Clash songs for Universal Music in LA and decided to fo this cover which we are releasing on Jan 20th through Cleopatra Records in LA – I am into The Clash but wouldn’t say they have influenced me.
It looks like you’ve all worked with some amazing artists in the past from Lou Reed to Basement Jaxx, what has been the highlights for you so far?
Jenna (Rude GRL): I think touring with Labrinth was a real highlight I loved that tour it was so much fun. & also working with Biff Stannard when I was realllly young I used to love the Spice Girls haha & wanted to be Scary Spice ha so hearing how he made some of the lyrics on the toilet was hilarious & amazing to me lol.
CC: I love mixing it all up – working with all genres – I loved working with Daler Mehndi, Indian Bollywood star on a cross over punk-Bhangra which the track 2 Eyes came from. I have discussed us working with Daler and that would be great it we can make that happen in 2021.
And how about future plans? Anything going on? Chris did I see you were involved with Rat Scabies from the Damned on a project?
Jenna (Rude GRL): Besides doing all this awesome work with our band I’ve got a track coming out with American artist Stige called Heat Check which I’m really looking forward to. Also looking to get JuiceBox Events which is mine & Bunni’s events company which is an all Womxn led LGBTQ+ Striptease event back up and running later this year! www.JuiceBoxEvents.co.uk
CC: Rat Scabies and me have a studio based project called One Thousand Motels and the first album “2% Out Of Sync” has just been released on Cleopatra Records.
Bunni: I recently did some Voice overs for an exciting CBBC project – Putting my “baby voice” to use – Literally and I’ve just finished filming for a Feature Film currently in post production – This Is The Nightmail.
Which artists have been an inspiration on you personally?
Jenna (Rude GRL): I love Slipknot & really am massively inspired by Corey Taylor’s hooks & I think he has a great flow in how he writes which is influenced by a lot of hiphop. I’ve been really inspired by Siouxie Sioux & Lene Lovich they’re awesome. The Sex Pistols & also 2pac his lyrics are incredible.
CC: Lou Reed/V.U. – James Booker – Hendrix – T-Rex – Dr. John – John Lee Hooker.
Bunni: Kate Bush, Alexia Khadime, Dita Von Teese, Whoopi Goldberg, Beyonce. They’re all different but all incredible in their own right.
Huge thanks for chatting with us, have you got any words of wisdom that you’d like to pass on?
Jenna (Rude GRL): Don’t Let The Muggles Bring You Down Girl & Keep On Twerking!
CC: Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your dreams or tell you what’s right or wrong.
Bunni: Don’t listen to what anyone else has to say & of course #EmbraceYourJigglyBits ™
Before we let you go, just a few more questions if that’s ok. Firstly, what was the first record/cassette/CD that you ever bought?
Jenna (Rude GRL): The first CD I ever bought was 2pac – Me Against The World & I RINSED that bitch non stop haha.
CC: Jimi Hendrix Vinyl / T-Rex Vinyl.
Bunni: I think it was Britneys first ever tape. I’d dance around the living room and then use a pencil to fast forward the things I didn’t like. Haha
How about your first ever gig/concert/show – who did you go and see?
Jenna (Rude GRL): First concert ever was Kanye West & I was amazed.
CC: Hawkwind
Bunni: hahaha Justin Bieber all the way lmao, I used to be a huge Bieleeber- I was obsessed! I was working as a receptionist at a hairdressers at the time and they told me I couldn’t have the day off to go so I quit. It was definitely worth it lmao.
If they were to make a film about the band, who would play each of you?
Jenna (Rude GRL): haha I reckon Zawedde “Zawe” Ashton as she smashed that role on fresh meat!
CC: Robert De Niro or Al Pacino.
Bunni: Probably Kerry Washington or Regina Hall.
We’re off to the bar, what’s your order?
Jenna (Rude GRL): a cup of tea with 6 sugars please lmao! So Brit. So punk. Lol.
CC: Espresso Martini please.
Bunni: Anything creamy like a screaming orgasm or a white Russian. If they don’t have cocktails – Prosecco or beer.
And one final question, what is the greatest song ever written in your opinion?
Jenna (Rude GRL): The greatest song ever written besides Tenacious D I have got to say is Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name.
CC: I love – “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix – still but so many great songs I could list.
Bunni: There are too many greats! But maybe Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush *insert dance here* or Never Let Me Down by Kanye West & Jay-z.
Check Rude Grl & CC out here: