Bambix was a punk band from Holland with Wick on guitar and vocals.
I really got to know the band when they played a few concerts with Johnnie Rook from Berlin. Both bands had a woman on vocals, while the other instruments and backing vocals were exclusively handled by men.
Both bands had energy, were melodic, likable, and were extremely popular with women. A confident woman at the microphone is more common today than it was ten years ago, but it is still not the norm.
Johnnie Rook has not existed for many years.
Bambix also no longer exists.
However, WICK BAMBIX is still around.
For a few years now, she has dared to step onto the stage that means the world with her guitar and her wonderful, powerful, and unique voice. It started small, and then it grew... “When things grow teeth”... as the title of her first album, which will be released on September 13, 2024, by the wonderfully kind label Rookie Records.
For me, people who only stand on stage with their guitar are always a bit difficult. Just guitar, person, and vocals can often become a bit boring for me over time, and I turn away.
WICK BAMBIX does it differently.
It is WICK's album, but it is not an acoustic album. She can't help but wrap some songs almost in a punk guise. Drums, guitar, bass, that is part of the album. This naturally also reminds one of Bambix, but it has a very own touch, and the melodies... folks, the melodies!
Whether it's “Red Flag” with the band and everything or “Hello Hopeville” with its country influence, Americana, and a hint of pub sound, which is a wonderful piece of music I did not expect, or “Evaporate,” with its guitar playing and the voice that narrates and touches the heart.
And then her guitar playing, sometimes finger-picking, sometimes gently caressed over the strings, sometimes played angrily, sometimes powerfully electronically amplified with the band. This is a wide spectrum that Wick seems to effortlessly cover.
In addition to Wick's fantastic playing, attention must be drawn to the fellow musicians on the album, which are Patrick Schappert and Tim van Doorn. Furthermore, the quality of the recording must be mentioned. Almost everything is right here. Especially the rich, round bass that is never intrusive but can be quite dominant when it needs to be heard, I have rarely heard in this way. Fantastic!
WICK BAMBIX is releasing a surprising, yes enchanting album with “When things grow teeth,” which is so different from many solo albums and thus extremely good.
