Hell’s Belles – Crazy Awesome: the one and only all female AC/DC tribute act. Presenting music from both AC/DC eras!
“The best AC/DC band I’ve ever heard?
There was an all-girl band in America, Hells Belles.”
– Angus Young, Blender (2003)
Interview conducted Nov. 21, 2021
by Dan Locke
HELL’S BELLES are first and foremost dedicated AC/DC fanatics. This is what we all have in common. We’re all part of a huge community of devotees to one of the greatest rock-n-roll bands in the world. This is who we all are, and this is what HELL’S BELLES strives to deliver with mechanical precision and passionate fury. Endorsed by Angus Young himself (Blender Magazine, 2003), HELL’S BELLES are the closest one can get without actually moving to Australia and joining AC/DC’s road crew.
Simona Bressi: drums
Adrian Conner: lead guitar
Jess Coram: rhythm guitar
Nicole Ridge: bass guitar
Megan Rüger: vocalist
What is your upbringing?
Middle class private schools until High school . I had a sheltered childhood. Wasn’t a loud to go to concerts until 18. Huge bummer. But I stayed safe and sheltered.
Adrian- How did you discover music?
From my Mom! She played ABBA and SIlverWind. And I would sit in the back of the Buick with my ear pressed up to the speaker singing.
How did you start to write music?
I didn’t start to write music until I learned how to play guitar.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
No. It was a terrible first guitar. It hurt my hands to play. It was an acoustic Epiphone guitar.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
It depends on what band I’m going to play in.
If it’s my original music or another project I’ve been hired to play on, then I tend to use the Teye Super Coyote Guitar.
But if It’s Hell’s Belles I will only play the SG like Angus Young.
How was it to work with Kathy Valentine of the Go-Gos in 2011?
It was stressful. I made it a way less fun experience by feeling unworthy- like the whole time. Kval was great. Patient. She def helped me hone my lyrical skills.
You are a female AC/DC cover band. How did you get this started?
I didn’t start the band. The band was started by Om Johari and Amy Stolzenbach in summer 1999 i think. They did not have an official line up until 2000. I tried out for the part of Malcolm in their first attempt to create the band. But they decided to hire Sylvia Wiedemann. She quit after about a year and then I was finally in the band Sept 2001.
How did you get your bands name?
I didn’t name it. If you mean Hell’s Belles. The original name was Venus with Arms.
What was your first performance at like?
Stressful. I had two weeks to learn 90 minutes of AC/DC music due to them needing to fill the Malcolm position at the last minute.
Angus Young loves you band. How did he discover your band?
Hell’s Belles met AC/DC once on the Stiff Upper Lip tour and again at on the Black Ice tour via a friend name Wade.
Your band has toured everywhere from Jordan to Japan, to Singapore, Canada and the United States. Which tour was your best and worst?
Canada was the worst! But it wasn’t Canadas fault!
On you rider you have a list on your backline. Have that caused any problem once you got to the club?
Of course. Sometimes it’s not there. Sometimes it’s the wrong stuff. And for the drummer that can cause back problems. Sometimes it’s just perfect! You gotta be able to roll with the punches in rock ’n roll!
What makes a good songwriter?
Gee I don’t know. Loving music for sure. It’s very mysterious and magical. I think that is a wonderful thing about being alive.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I was in a band with two other dudes at 16. I just played power chords. The song was called Pushing Up Daisies. I didn’t know what that meant at the time. we didn’t record it. we sucked!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
It’s definitely a lot easier to check out new bands. But it’s overwhelming. The upside is everyone can make and put out music. The downside is everyone does make and put out music. hahaha
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
Context of the # is where it takes it’s meaning. I honestly don’t think of # as a sharp unless it’s on a music staff OR on my notes for a song I’m learning.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Well i own vinyl and I put out a vinyl record last year Hiss Kiss Hiss. But I rarely take the time out to put the vinyl on the record player and put the needle to the record. If I do – it’s to play an album that i specifically like to hear only on vinyl. Which is Rumors and Fleetwood Mac Self Titled, Pyromania, Thriller. Tacocat NVM There’s more.. I digress.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I guess Heat of the Moment. It reminds me of the 80s and all the art, fashion culture of the 80s. How there were so many different kinds of genres that were in Top 40. So many different looks. To NOT sound or look like someone else was how you stood out. Which is very much different today. It’s better to sound like others.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music?
RE: the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Not for musicians. We just moved to live streaming. So if the music listener can’t adapt to that format – then maybe Covid has killed live music for the listener. Musicians , songwriters will play as long as all our limbs are working because it’s a soul calling. We will find a way. Will the listener?
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
That future is here. From what I”ve seen: it’s put the musicians/ bands in the middle of those who won’t mask / get vax / or show proof of vax and those who don’t feel safe if masks or safety measures aren’t enforced. Every venue is different with their covid safety procedure. I am often getting troll posts from either side of the fence placing blame on the band. It’s annoying. We are just trying to play and make our living. I don’t include myself dictating in what the club feels is the best policy for their clientele I feel very safe playing live. Despite the animosity from folks directed towards the band.
Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?
It definitely has given more life to my original music. I live stream every Wednesday 9pm cst on Facebook YouTube and Twitch. I’ve never ever made as much consistent income with my original music. I’m not saying it’s in any way coming close to cover my bills. But it has become consistent. And I’ve become so much better at singing and playing live because I created this opportunity for myself.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Streaming and writing a couple songs. I have a new song coming Dec 3rd that was written during and due to the pandemic called Victoria.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I’m not sure I was being healthy. But I kept swimming laps. Exercising is very important to me. So if i wasn’t swimming laps and I was taking long bike rides or walk/runs. Plus I have a voracious spiritual seeking life.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
not really. hahahhahsha – learning the art of coming back into presence after a big mind momentum stream.
Recently the virus has come back with the Delta outbreak, which as cause many people in the industry to worry about the future of live music.
How would you like live shows to be held and still keep you and fans safe.
I have no idea. People can’t even agree on what is safe. I would like to see a little more unity among folks. instead of this constant victim identity.
How was your cruise?
I’m really glad we were not on the cruise when Covid hit. Or we would have been out on the water quarantined for who know how long. We were actually scheduled to be on the Cruise when Covid Hit. Fortunately we withdrew because of other reasons and wayyyyy before Covid was considered officially existing.
I didn’t really like the cruise. It’s fun to get to go to the new places that they dock. And the work was extremely easy. We would work 3 days out of the seven. But after a week – it’s the same thing week after week. I’m glad to have had the experience. And am not needing to do that type of gig again.
Is pay to play still a thing?
Of course. There’s so many forms of pay to play. Let’s start with the listener or person watching the musician. Do you tip a band or pay the cover when you see them? Because it costs those musicians money to drive to the gig. To have insurance. To pay for string and supplies. Lights and electricity to practice. Food. ect ect.
Some people go out on the street to play – and just hope to make tips. IF they don’t get any tips, they just paid to play. If you don’t get anyone showing up to watch your band at the club. you just paid to play. Pay to play IS a thing. If our culture doesn’t value music i.e. Never tip or pay a cover. Then the pay to play model continues to be supported.
I’ve been asked to $500 to play a stage during SXSW back in 2007. We declined. But some people don’t.
Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour. –
yep those are called tour buy ons. I knew a band who almost tried it.
The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with.
Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense
Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas .
If the cost was down to the point you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?
YES!! That a would be rad!
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
Acting. I’ve been taking acting classes and doing background work since Sept 2019. Background work is super easy money. I even got a part in a movie that wasn’t considered background work – and I got an IMDB credit out of it.
What is your happy place?
Hangin’ with my cat Oreo in a cuddle.
