Holly and the Italians

Holly and the Italians were a female led American punk pop band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1978 by Chicago-born singer, songwriter and guitarist Holly Beth Vincent. The members were Los Angeles drummer Steve Young, and later joined in the UK by bassist Mark Sidgwick. The band was based in London, England where, after playing on the pub circuit extensively they quickly came to prominence. They were opening act for fellow Americans Blondie and were signed to BBC disc jockey, music historian Charlie Gillett's record label, Oval Records Through Oval Records, Holly and the Italians released the single "Tell That Girl to Shut Up" which was a hit in the UK and elsewhere, helping to create a buzz about the band and resulting in offers from several labels. The band eventually signed a two-album deal with Virgin Records.

The single, written by Holly, again became a hit in 1988 when it was covered by Transvision Vamp.

Holly and the Italians recorded the album, The Right to Be Italian, at The Record Plant studio in New York City, produced by Richard Gottehrer who replaced the originally chosen 60's girl-group producer Shadow Morton when he suddenly departed. The album was then given a final remix in the UK by producer John Brand. The chaos surrounding the debut album experience affected Holly and her writing greatly. The second album reflects this, a moodier more introspective and 'alternative' album titled "Holly and the Italians ".

The first album, recorded in NYC, featured musical backing by several members of what later became "The World's most Dangerous Band": Paul Schaffer, Anton Fig, and Will Lee, now better known as the house band for the Late Show with David Letterman.

In August 1980, Holly & the Italians played the major Heatwave festival near Toronto. The band notably toured with ska band The Selecter, The Clash during their Combat Rock album release (pre- Bonds shows in New York City) and several shows around the U.S. with The Ramones.

In 1982, Holly Beth Vincent released her second Virgin Records album entitled Holly and the Italians. The album, produced by Mike Thorne was critically acclaimed and the subsequent video gained some airtime on MTV. Later that year, Vincent recorded a duet of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" with Ramones frontman Joey Ramone. Neither of the "Holly and the Italians " albums produced a major hit and when the two-album deal was fulfilled the contract was finished. Holly then returned to the US, to New York City.

After a brief period during which she replaced Patty Donahue in The Waitresses, she sang in a combo called the Wild Things with Anthony Thistlethwaite (The Waterboys) and Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) and recorded an album, America, under the name The Oblivious for Amy Ray's label Daemon Records. In 1995, Holly toured and teamed up with Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano for a musical side project entitled Vowel Movement.

In 2007, Holly released the album Super Rocket Star and in 2009, Minnesota-California.

Of note- In May 2012,Holly Beth Vincent is appearing as guest lead and background vocalist with other musicians and singers on the second and final posthumous release of Joey Ramone titled Ya Know? on BMG.

Holly lives in Los Angeles,Ca. and is active writing songs,playing and recording.

Holly Beth Vincent//and the Italians discography

• "Tell That Girl to Shut Up" b/w "Chapel of Love", 1980, Oval Records
• Miles Away, 1980, Virgin Records
• The Right to Be Italian, 1981, Virgin Records (reissued with bonus tracks 2002 by Wounded Bird Records)
• Holly and the Italians, 1982, Virgin Records (reissued with bonus tracks 2002 by Wounded Bird Records) Credited to Holly Beth Vincent.
• America, 1994, Daemon Records
• Vowel Movement, 1995, Mammoth Records
• Demos Federico, 2003, Wounded Bird Records
• Super Rocket Star, 2007, CD Baby
• Minnesota-California, 2009, iTunes

External links

• Holly and the Italians at Trouser Press