Rachel

Vocals and Percussion

Excited to be singing/performing/playing the cowbell with GrrlzTalk! Have always loved music and singing and started performing in cover bands in 2000. From 2000 to 2005, performed with various cover bands in the SF Bay Area as well as an original band and corporate band in Southern California.

In 2005, met Melne and then Gail and sang in the CoverGrrlz until 2011. Enjoyed performing at clubs and festivals in the Bay Area with a solid and talented line-up of musicians. Love playing the cowbell! Appreciate all musical forms, especially tunes highlighting female artists/groups.

Likes to talk about: cats, coffee, and anything from the '70s and '80s.

Gail

Guitar and Vocals

What can I say. I like bands that *SPARKLE* and GrrlzTalk does just that!

I started playing guitar as a wee lass of 14, but had already been playing multiple instruments since I was about 8… violin, clarinet, flute etc.. When I first heard the Rolling Stones, I was hypnotized by the “pirate cool” and rockin’ riffs of Keith Richards. He is why I started playing guitar!

I became miss Trixie during my time with the CoverGrrlz, a glam-rock cover band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I may have started playing guitar because of Keith, but it was Nancy Wilson who set my teenage world on fire. So, when the opportunity to be the “Nancy” of the northern California Heart tribute “Heartless” I took it! It was a great run, and an honor to play all that amazing music, but the pull to play a wider array of music beckoned. I am so excited about GrrlzTalk (and having the excuse to buy sparkly guitars)! And so many great songs!! I can’t wait to rock with you all soon!

Likes to talk about: Guitars, cats, and music history.

Melne

Guitar and Vocals

Melne started playing guitar at 9 years old. She joined her first band in 1982, and has been playing in bands ever since.

She currently plays guitar in a variety of both original and cover bands spanning a wide range of genres: rock & pop; dance/funk, soul, R&B; experimental avant-garde; punkabilly; jazz; as well as solo acoustic, and sometimes can even be found playing drums for Berkeley Jazz Workshop.

She has performed at venues such as The UC Theatre, Slim’s, Oakland Metro, Bottom of the Hill, Stockton Asparagus Festival, Alameda/Livermore/San Jose Pride, First Avenue/7th Street Entry (Minneapolis), Bluebird Theatre & Historic Stanley Hotel (Colorado), The Roxy & The Echo (Los Angeles). In May of 2023, she completed a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies at the California Jazz Conservatory.

Likes to talk about: birds, guitars, volcanoes, meteorology and obscure '80s British post-punk bands.

Barb

Keyboards, Vocals and Percussion

So happy and honored to be playing with a great group of women in GrrlzTalk!

I am a retired PreK-8th grade music teacher. I have performed with bands both cover and tribute since 2004. Highway 256 (classic rock and blues) and, more recently in Fleetwood Mask (a tribute to Fleetwood Mac) from 2012 til 2023. I was privileged to portray one of my favorite singer songwriters, Christine McVie. I’ve played in many performing arts centers, festivals and nightclubs all over California and across the US.

The music GrrlzTalk presents to our audiences will be so much fun with hits from the 1960’s to present day which surely will energize the dance floor!

Likes to talk about: music history, musical instruments, and origins and context of old “sayings.”

Jeannette

Bass and Vocals

Grew up in a musical household and fell in love with Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals at a very young age. Later years became obsessed with Kate Bush and The Who (in particular). Claim to Rock 'n Roll fame: wrote songs, sang lead vocals and played keys and in an all originals band that opened up for the one hit wonder, Icicle Works (song "Whisper To A Scream") at the Keystone in 1985.

Vocal Performance major in college (San Francisco Conservatory of Music), been teaching voice and piano ever since. Picked up bass guitar in April 2023 and feel blessed to have the opportunity to rock the house with this amazing and talented group of GRRLZ!

Likes to talk about: Golden Age musicals, Jerry Lewis (Hey LADY!), William Shatner and anything 70’s (including songs & crime dramas).

Kate

Drums

Kate’s been playing drums for five years and is a recovering WHO fanatic. She digs Soul, R&B, punk, and rock. She is excited to be in her first band with these accomplished musicians.

Likes to talk about: music, drummers, and Norwegian dark police dramas.