The Genders are a four-piece based in Tel Aviv; formed in 2004 they proceeded to record their debut, "Rockin' in Ramallah" in their home studio. In September 2004 they went on a 3-week mini tour of the US and Canada (17 dates), immediately drawing the attention of hip Canadian label AMP Records. In November 2005 AMP released The Genders' debut, "Rocking in Ramallah" and the band embarked on a 46 date coast-to-coast North American tour. Upon returning from the tour, the band added a second guitarist, rounding out their sound. They began work on their second release, entitled "Virgin No. 72". Another US tour kicked off in October of 2006, taking them again from coast to coast, a total of 39 dates.
Currently the band is in Israel, planning the release of "Virgin No. 72" with the Israeli label "Dead Sea Records" in April, and a major world tour kicks off in June 2007 this tour will take them to the US, Canada and Western Europe and will last until November 2007 (at least).
Here are some snippets from their reviews…
"The Genders deliver their angry Punk-Rock with style and humor. They navigate with great skill between sub-genres including Metal and Garage, displaying musical ability in par with the most talked-about college bands of the hour. Notable pearls: "Horatio", about a settler from Brooklyn who keeps a female settler on every hill and never sheds a tear when Tel Aviv gets bombed; "Mute Button", featuring a line that every man can identify with, "You should have come with a mute button, baby" and the title track, featuring lines like "Had a girl up in Nablus, don't see much of her these days, cause there must be about nineteen roadblocks between here and there, or so they say". It sounds better in English, even if the message is oftentimes disturbing. The Genders are great; no words describe them better. Try to catch them in November, somewhere between the East and West Coasts." (Shai Lahav, Ma'ariv, September 2005)
"Straight outta Tel Aviv (!) the bomb-dodging Genders are the slinkiest, kinkiest, ass-rockingest cock n' roll sensation in the Middle East… What is a surprise is how fuck-on-the-floor BAD ASS the Genders' opening salvo, "Horatio", is. Coming on like some bleary-eyed cross 'tween the Cramps and the Hellacopters, "Horatio" is a swaggering, full-throttle cock rock ode to oral sex, complete with free-flowing cowbell, Johnny Thunders-esque solo, and this chorus: "Hey baby, my name is Horatio/I perform cunnilingus in return for fellatio". How's THAT for a rhyming scheme? It's anybody's guess where the Genders are going with all this top-shelf sleaze, but one thing's for sure, wherever the fuck it is, I'm going with 'em." (Sleazegrinder Demo of the month, August 2004)
"A well balanced CD of out and out raw RNR no frills, no MTV, no million $$$ budget and no consideration for others, crank up everything to maximum and let's tear down your house and then the neighbours house!, this is reckless abandon the louder you wind up the dial the more the enjoyment, it's not 100mph grinding power, its bluesy sleazy RNR, male, female or other your gender isn't important, this band has ALL species covered if you like your RNR let's get it on!" (Marco Moronne, Leatherboyz, August 2004)
"Wow. Who woulda thought that a kickass DIY band like this would hail from Tel Aviv, Israel? …Hmmm. Maybe I have not been clear enough. THE GENDERS ARE COOL! The music is good! Don't believe me? Check out the tunes at www.thegenders.com and hear for yourself."
(Mark Hughson, Now Wave, May 2004)
"This eight song EP proves that The Stooges, The Stones, The Troggs and The Velvet Underground are alive and well in the hearts of West Bank scenesters, a fact that I find infinitely heartwarming… While The Genders are not afraid to laugh at themselves, they also have some serious rock carnage roaring through their guts…The Genders remind us once again that rehashed "punknroll" (again, their word) has a definite place in the world of music." (Sarah Silver, Splendid, May 2004)
Website
http://www.thegenders.com
Discography
The Genders (EP) (sold out) - Self Release
Rockin' in Ramallah (CD) - 8thNote/AMP Records
Virgin No. 72 (CD) - Dead Sea Records (to be released in April 2007)
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