The SoapGirls

The SoapGirls are a South African based punk band consisting of French-born, South African-raised sisters Noemie Debray ("Mie") (guitar, vocals) and Camille Debray ("Mille") (bass guitar, vocals). Camille is the eldest by 11 months. The sisters are the only full members of the band, using various session drummers when touring and recording (see band members section). The band have achieved press coverage in the music magazines Planet Rock,[1] and Vive Le Rock[2] as well as website Louder Than War.[3]

The SoapGirls
OriginCape Town, South Africa
Genres
Years active2004–present
Labels
Members
  • Camille Debray
  • Noemie Debray
  • (See band members section for others.)

Early in their professional career, The SoapGirls was a dance-pop act signed to the South African branch of Universal Music Group.[4]

History

The Debrays began their music career as child street performers at ages 8 and 9[5] (c. 2004) in South Africa, singing while selling hand made soap for charity,[6] from where they acquired their band name.[7][5] They have been managed by Sam Debray since 2004.

At ages 12 and 13 (c. 2008) they took up an offer to record some songs in a studio.[8] One result of this recording session was the inclusion of a track (Boys Boys—Mix 2) on a Japanese compilation disc (Do The Independence (And Bridge Build Burn By Yourself.), 2009).[8][9] They also acquired pink, Hello Kitty branded acoustic guitars as a result of sponsorship by Marshall.

At ages 14 and 15 (c. 2010), following interest in the song on the Japanese compilation disc, they were signed to Universal Records[8] where they scored a South African number one hit album Xperience (2011) and four South African Top 5 singles[10][4] with exposure on a number of South African TV shows, compilation CDs,[11] and national tours.[10] The band became disillusioned by the "TSG Movement" image[10] and their lack of creative control while signed to Universal. In a 2019 interview with Jude Benjamin of Camden Live Music Blog, Camille observed: "We hated it. We were always fighting for creative control, it was a fucking nightmare. For four years we were stuck. We had songs on the radio and it was very successful but at the end of the day if you don’t believe in what you’re doing, what’s the point?".[8]

Once their contract with Universal had terminated, the band went to New York, recorded two released singles (Lie To Me and Looking For Love) and other tracks for an unreleased album, but turned down another record deal because of the same problems with lack of control that they had previously with Universal.[8] They returned to South Africa to continue releasing music on their own terms, including uploading music to YouTube.[8] All singles and albums from 2014 to present have been self-released. 2014's single release Hater marks a turning point to a more punk or (as they call it) "Revolt Rock"[3] musical style and image. They used a female drummer during this period, who can be seen briefly (in cartoon form) in the video for the single release Champagne Cocaine (2015).[12]

In 2015, the band took up an offer to tour the UK, quickly finishing the album Calls For Rebellion, their debut album as a punk band[4] so they would have something to tour with.[8] For the tour, they added session drummer Arya Goggin, who is the drummer for Welsh punk band Skindred. The band have been touring for about 6 to 7 months of each year with various session drummers since 2015.

The band received attention after an incident at a gig during November 2015 in Hastings where venue staff attacked the band with a bucketful of stage blood.[13][1] Noting their reputation, Camille observed in 2019: "As women we are labelled and if we don't fit the stereotypical role, we are seen as beeches (sic) who need to be tamed."[1]

Summer and autumn of 2016 were spent on the Disturbd tour of UK and Europe.[14] The single Bad Bitch was also recorded and released in 2016. It was written two days after the stage attack in Hastings of the previous year.[15] This was included as a bonus track on the Societys Rejects album (2017).

Second punk album Societys Rejects was released in 2017. Hugh Guiland awarded the album 6/10 in Vive Le Rock magazine, noting that although there were "no major music revelations to be found here, admittedly," nonetheless there was "an attitudinal swerving of unwavering fuck-you hard rock, unstintingly high on the energy levels ... sometimes you've just got to let it all out."[2] Online magazine Rock 'N' Load awarded the album 9/10, noting "Production is first class ensuring you live every kick of the drum and thrash of that guitar."[16] Interviewed by Alexandra Hawkins for Louder Than War, the duo explained their philosophy: “We create Revolt Rock music that provides a space for people to celebrate their uniqueness and to stop taking shit from a seemingly heartless judgmental society. Both our stage shows and music addresses and encourages people to get out of their shells and forgo labels that society has imposed on them. Our message is all about freedom and being fearless enough to be a non-conformist and proud of it and if it makes you a society's reject then embrace it!”[3]

Summer and autumn of 2017 were spent on the Party In Hell tour of UK and Europe.[17] The 2017 tour used several session drummers, including Samuel Ogden for some gigs in the last half of the tour. He has also played with the band extensively on the 2018 and 2019 tours.

The band spent most of 2018 on the Stinks Like Punk tour of UK and Europe.[18] Most of 2019 was spent on the Sniff My Strap tour of UK and Europe.[19] 2019 also saw the release of a double-length third punk album Elephant in the Room.[1] They are currently recording their fourth album due for release in 2021 along with singles to be released pre tour 2021

Band members

Members

Guest Artists
  • Redd Valentino Debray - guest vocals

Session Drummers
  • Arya Goggin
  • Samuel Ogden
  • Daniel Ryan

Discography

Studio albums
  • Xperience (Universal Records South Africa, 2011) #1 South African album charts.[4][10]
  • Calls For Rebellion (The SoapGirls, 2015)[20]
  • Societys Rejects (The SoapGirls, 2017)[20]
  • Elephant in the Room (The SoapGirls, 2019)[20]

Singles
  • Sour (Universal Records South Africa, 2011)[21]
  • Lucky Tonight (Universal Records South Africa, 2011)[21]
  • Hurricane (Universal Records South Africa, 2012)[22]
  • In My Arms (Universal Records South Africa, 2012)[21] (a.k.a. "In Your Arms"[10])
  • Lie To Me (Divine Order Entertainment, LLC, 2013)[23]
  • Looking For Love (Divine Order Entertainment, LLC, 2013)[23]
  • Hater (digital release, December 2014)[21]
  • Champagne Cocaine (digital release, 2015)[21]
  • Bad Bitch (digital release, 2016)[23]
  • Rather Be Dead! (digital release, 2016)[21]
  • One Way Street (digital release, 2019)[23]
  • Heart in Bloom (digital release, 2020)[21]

Compilations
  • Boys Boys—Mix2, Do The Independence (And Bridge Build Burn By Yourself.) (Bridge Build Burn Corporation, 2009 – GoTo-0000)[9]
  • Sour, NOW That's What I Call Music! 59 (South Africa edition) (EMI, 2011 – CDNOWD(WEE)59)[11]
  • Champagne Cocaine (Justin Mercelina Trapmix), Wood Trip Hop, Vol. 1 (Catwalk Records, 2017 – CATWALKCOMP099)[24]

References
  1. The Soap Girls New Music profile by Alice Clarke, Planet Rock magazine, February 2020 p16
  2. The Soap Girls Society's Rejects album review by Hugh Guiland, Vive Le Rock, Issue 47 p91
  3. "The SoapGirls - interview". Louder Than War. 13 August 2017.
  4. "The Soapgirls". Vocalzone.
  5. "Band Interview: The Soapgirls". Off the Record blog.
  6. The SoapGirls (beginning years) on YouTube
  7. "Introducing: The Soap Girls". Essentially Pop.
  8. Jude Benjamin (2019). "The SoapGirls - Interview - Naked And Raw". Camden Live Music Blog.
  9. "Various – Do The Independence (And Bridge Build Burn By Yourself.)". Discogs.
  10. "The Soap Girls – The Portland Arms". Theportlandarms.co.uk. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  11. "Various – NOW That's What I Call Music! 59 (South Africa)". Discogs.
  12. The SoapGirls - Champagne Cocaine on YouTube
  13. "Punk rock sisters '˜emotionally scarred' after buckets of fake blood were thrown at them during topless Sussex gig". The News (Portsmouth). 7 September 2016.
  14. "Disturbd Tour Dates 2016 - The SoapGirls". The SoapGirls.
  15. Neil Johnson (21 July 2016). "The SoapGirls unveil debut UK video BAD BITCH". WithGuitars.
  16. "The Soap Girls – 'Society's Rejects' – Album Review". Rock 'N' Load.
  17. "The SoapGirls - Tour Dates 2017". The SoapGirls.
  18. "The SoapGirls - Tour Dates 2018". The SoapGirls.
  19. "TSG - April Tour Dates". The SoapGirls.
  20. "The Soap Girls". Discogs.
  21. "The Soap Girls". Apple Music.
  22. "Book The SoapGirls". Standing Ovations Entertainment.
  23. "The SoapGirls". Apple Music.
  24. "Various – Wood Trip Hop, Vol. 1". Discogs.
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