Broadzilla

Biography

Broadzilla got its start in 1996 as an all-female metal/punk outfit founded by Detroit singer-guitarist Rachel May. The original members were bassist Michelle Chapman (then going by Michelle Fields), guitarist Marlene Hammerle, and drummer Jen Moffitt. That same year, they put out a four-song self-titled EP on cassette. Drummer Angie Manly came aboard in 1997. By 1999, just before the band’s first full-length album, Melody Baetens (performing as Melody Licious) filled the second guitar slot. The album, Broadzilla vs. the Tramp-o-Lean, dropped on CD in October 1999 and included a cover of Feisty Cadavers’ “No More Fun.” Though Baetens appeared on the album cover and was credited with guitar and backing vocals, she actually only sang backup on the track “Cum Guzzlin Whore.” Bassist Kim Essiambre joined in early 2000, and soon after Baetens left the band, with no replacement hired. Baetens later played in the Detroit glam band the Sirens and also turned up in the garage punk group Gore Gore Girls, which also featured former Broadzilla guitarist Marlene Hammerle. In April 2001, Broadzilla won its first of nine Detroit Music Awards in the best hard rock/heavy metal category. Their second album, Lady Luck, came out in October 2001 and has sold over 20,000 copies. The album’s lead track, “Ecstasy,” had a full music video; it also included a cover of Diana Ross and the Supremes’ 1968 song “Love Child,” plus two remixes of the original track “Liquor Snatch” by Detroit techno DJ Sean Deason. Broadzilla toured England for the first time in August 2003, followed by two more UK tours in fall 2003 and summer 2004. Those summer tours featured high-profile slots at the Bulldog Bash music festival. The band kept racking up Detroit Music Awards, winning best hard rock/heavy metal artist in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (they were ineligible in 2004).