Go Betty Go
Encyclopedia
Go Betty Go was an all-girl
punk rock
band from Los Angeles
that, along with bands such as Union 13
, Los Abandoned
and Left Alone
, were prominent in the southern California Chicano Punk scene in the mid-2000s.
in 2001 and originally consisted of sisters Nicolette Vilar (lead vocals) and Aixa Vilar (drums) along with Michelle Rangel (bass) and Betty Cisneros (guitar). The name originates from a phrase the band used to chant to try to get guitarist, Betty Cisneros, to start a song.
The band released two CDs for SideOneDummy Records
. The first was "Worst Enemy" in 2004. The second was "Nothing Is More", produced by Flogging Molly
’s Ted Hutt, in 2005. They also took part in the Warped Tour
s of 2004
and 2005.
The band is currently on hiatus; they played their last show at the Key Club
in West Hollywood, California
on January 21st, 2010. Aixa moved to Argentina, Betty started a catering business, Emily is working on a solo album and Phil joined Filter. The band did, however, leave the door open to doing the occasional reunion show.
In August 2007, bassist Michelle Rangel posted an announcement on the band's web site stating that she was leaving the band. A replacement was found in Phil Buckman
, who is currently playing bass with Filter
.
during its eighth season
, where she sang "Barracuda"
.
She passed the audition but was eliminated during the Hollywood round.
All-women band
An all-female band is a musical group composed of female musicians exclusively. A distinction is made here with a girl group, in which the members are solely vocalists, though this terminology is not universally followed.-1920s-1940s:In the Jazz Age and during the 1930s, "all-girl" bands such as...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
that, along with bands such as Union 13
Union 13
Union 13 is a hardcore punk band from Boyle Heights, California, USA who have, to date, released four full length albums – three on Epitaph Records and one on Disaster Records....
, Los Abandoned
Los Abandoned
Los Abandoned was an American alternative rock band from the Los Angeles, California area. The band's lyrics were in Spanish and English, or a combination of the two known as Spanglish...
and Left Alone
Left Alone
Left Alone is a punk rock band from Wilmington, California. They were formed in May 1996 by lead vocalist and guitarist Elvis Cortez. Cortez formed his own label, Smelvis Records, to release Left Alone's records, and has since expanded the label to include numerous other underground bands. Cortez...
, were prominent in the southern California Chicano Punk scene in the mid-2000s.
History
The band formed in Glendale, CaliforniaGlendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
in 2001 and originally consisted of sisters Nicolette Vilar (lead vocals) and Aixa Vilar (drums) along with Michelle Rangel (bass) and Betty Cisneros (guitar). The name originates from a phrase the band used to chant to try to get guitarist, Betty Cisneros, to start a song.
The band released two CDs for SideOneDummy Records
SideOneDummy Records
SideOneDummy Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label whose roster focuses mostly on punk and related genres. Founded in 1995 by Joe Sib and Bill Armstrong, who continue to run it today, the label has built a reputation for its diverse roster of artists ranging from third wave ska...
. The first was "Worst Enemy" in 2004. The second was "Nothing Is More", produced by Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
’s Ted Hutt, in 2005. They also took part in the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
s of 2004
Warped Tour 2004 Tour Compilation
The Warped Tour 2004 Tour Compilation is the ninth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The compilation's cover is a photograph of Rancid members Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman performing on the 2003 Warped Tour....
and 2005.
The band is currently on hiatus; they played their last show at the Key Club
Gazzarri's
Gazzarri's was a nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is most notable as the location where The Doors, and Van Halen were featured house bands for long stretches before being discovered...
in West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
on January 21st, 2010. Aixa moved to Argentina, Betty started a catering business, Emily is working on a solo album and Phil joined Filter. The band did, however, leave the door open to doing the occasional reunion show.
Notability
They have received favorable attention in the press, such as:- "The next Go GosThe Go-Go'sThe Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
Los Angeles music industry insiders are all abuzz about allgirl punk band Go Betty Go" (Indiana Gazette), - "Nothing Is More showcases Go Betty Go as a versatile group able to swing effortlessly from speed-punk workouts to mellow ballads" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and San Antonio Express News),
- "One song they wrote during those sessions was I'm From L.A., which would become the Glendale band's anthem, a song so pouty, smart and rollicking it could fit in with the Go-Go's proud brand of earlier L.A. girl power" (Los Angeles Times),
- "they bang out the snappiest three-chord tunes around" (Newsweek),
- "A steady stream of club dates and prominent write-ups in L.A. Weekly and La Opinion have led to a spot on the testosterone-fueled Warped Tour and label deal with SideOneDummy Records." (Springfield News Leader),
- "head to the King King for that super hot girl group Go Betty Go" (Los Angeles Times) and
- "Similar hype should surround Go Betty Go after strong showings at Hard Rock Cafe and Emo's Annex" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Line-up changes
In February 2006, lead vocalist Nicolette Vilar left the band causing the band to cancel the end of their current tour. After holding auditions, in May 2006 a replacement was found in Emily Wynne-Hughes.In August 2007, bassist Michelle Rangel posted an announcement on the band's web site stating that she was leaving the band. A replacement was found in Phil Buckman
Phil Buckman
Phil Buckman is a musician, voiceover artist and actor. He is currently the bassist for the rock band Filter.-Early life:Originally from Queens, New York, Phil Buckman arrived in Los Angeles after living in Baltimore, Boston and San Diego.-Music career:...
, who is currently playing bass with Filter
Filter (band)
Filter is a rock group formed in 1993 in Cleveland by singer Richard Patrick and guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. Filter has released five studio albums, the most recent being The Trouble with Angels, which was released on August 17, 2010....
.
American Idol
In January 2009, the band's lead singer, Emily Wynne-Hughes, auditioned for American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
during its eighth season
American Idol (season 8)
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...
, where she sang "Barracuda"
Barracuda (song)
"Barracuda" is a song written and recorded by the rock band Heart. It was released as the first single from the band's second album Little Queen .-Reception:...
.
She passed the audition but was eliminated during the Hollywood round.