THE LEGEND OF KARI KROME

before heather cassils, before melissa, ellen & samatha, hell even somewhat before and during joan jett, there was
KARI KROME.


kari was/is an icon and living legend, and one of the androgynous beauties we've read so much about.

here's an interview conducted by my "sister" ALICE BAG back in 2005

1. What was/is your contribution to the punk community?

I started an all-girl band called The Runaways, who I wrote songs for. They weren’t really punk,
but they weren’t "rawk" either. They sort of fell in that weird netherworld that was allowed to exist
at the time, despite all the bitching of how awful things were in the music business. I’m still
amazed they even got a deal.
But really my best work was to be a glorious example of what NOT to do with your life. Ha Ha.

(photo by ivy ney- who will have her photo exhibit @ antebellum gallery during January 2011)

2. Which artist, band concert and/or show had the most impact on your life?

Well... I don’t know, that's a tough one, there's so many.

I saw the New York Dolls when I was a kid and Iggy at Rodney Bingenheimer’s, they made a big
impression. I was 13 and watching Iggy carve his chest up. Johnny Thunders stomping around in
fringed cowboy chaps, and Arthur Kane barfed on me. What can I tell you? Everything else after
that pales by comparison. Punk filled the void.

The Screamers were very dramatic. I saw them at the Whiskey on acid once, and I never looked
at things the same after that. Thank you, Tomata. And I must admit that spending an evening
with Black Randy and listening to him expound on the meaning of life was an eye opener. You
just can’t get that kinda advice in the real world.

It’s always been about glam and punk for me and always will be. Nothing’s changed. When I’m
80, I'll be on the bus: confused, covered in cat fur, but I bet I'll be able to quote you the words to
“Rebel Rebel.”


3. What was the role of women in the early punk scene?

Women in punk didn’t have a role, they ran the ship. I never saw so many ballsy, scary women in
my life! I think all that changed when the jarheads invaded the scene.

4. What is the legacy of punk in your life?

The legacy of punk in my life? That would have to be Iggy and Buzzcocks songs for TV
commercials. I’m not sure I even understand this question.

5. What are you listening to now?

Right now I’m listening to: The Troggs-Hits and B-sides
Glitter From The Litter Bin (glam comp)
Best of Tommy Roe
The Delays-Faded Seaside Glamour
The Pretty Things-Parachute
Milk and Cookies reissue
Beach Boys Pet Sounds Box set (yes, all of it)

6. Do you have any funny or interesting stories to share?

I have many funny stories to share. If I told all of them, everybody would be mad at me.
Once, I tried to kiss Alice Bag while she was in her car and she rolled the window up on me.
She was like, "Buzz off, Junior!" Ha!
Alice responds: “I did not ever roll up the window on you. I don't believe it!!”
Kari responds: “Yes, you did!”

7. Are there any punk women from the early scene that you feel have not been been
adequately recognized?

I would like to hear from Sheila, Cheri the Penguin, Hellin and Trudi, Loretta A, Trixie, etc...all
those fabulous dangerous dolls that made the scene so crazy and fun. Where are they now?
Where is everybody???!!

8. What is something we should know about you that we probably don't know?

I am a closet AM radio bubblegum fan, and I like older women, especially if they got big butts.
Over and out.


(kari krome with the equally iconic- ivonne perez)

Kari added this P.S.: Well, I just realized that everybody probably already knows that I like older
women and big butts, so that’s a stupid answer. I should probably tell ya something ya don’t
know right? doh. O.K.-so I opt for the AM radio closet bubblegum freak, that's good. I would also
like to say ahem: that I am clean and sober for almost 10 years. I don’t smoke, I don’t eat meat, I
don’t eat dairy, only organic food, I no longer put crap chemicals in my body, and that means
toiletries, cosmetics, etc too. I refuse to have immunization shots, and threw out my TV, cause it’s
all lies and propaganda.

I am a happier person because of it.

( i would like to add my embarrassing little tidbit.... one night back in 1980?- I was out on the town with kari krome, kathy jung and liza cruz. I leaned over to kari and said, "if you're ever interested to have sex with a guy, let me know."
i don't think she would remember this.. we were both looped) -

posting by rick castro~ antebellum editor