Video Fridays/Bands You Should Know: The Mo-Dettes

Since we're on the subject of the founding mothers of punk...

The Mo-Dettes were formed in London in 1979 by American guitarist Kate Korus/Korris (an original member of the Slits), along with bassist Jane Crockford, June Miles-Kingston on drums, and Swiss-born Ramona Carlier on vocals. The band would later be augmented by Melissa Ritter on second guitar, and for the last six months before the band's dissolution, Sue Slack on vocals.

(Inconsequential, but interesting: like the Slits, the Mo-Dettes were oddly connected to the Sex Pistols. June worked on the film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, which is where she met Kate. June's brother Bob Kingston was the guitar player for Ten Pole Tudor, featured on the soundtrack for the film. Jane had reportedly shared a squat with Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious at one point, and June bought her first drum kit from Paul Cook. We won't mention their connection to other notable names in punk, but look up Shane MacGowan and the "Cannibalism at Clash Gig" incident and see if you can't spot our girls.)

Frequently overlooked in the annals of punk/post-punk and the history of women in rock for bands that were more ostentatious, more aggressive, more overt in their feminism, or simply more prolific, the Mo-Dettes were nevertheless a solid band, notable for their hooky, melodic bass lines, sparse, angular guitar riffs, and a simple yet irresistable backbeat.

In their three short years of existence, they released only a handful of singles and one full-length album, The Story So Far. Fortunately, Cherry Red released a remastered version of the album on CD last year. It includes B-sides and non-album tracks, such as their first single and possibly best known song, "White Mice," (featured below) as well as extensive liner notes outlining the history of the band.

Enjoy!