The Super-Group THE COOLIES Open Up About Forming, Their Forthcoming Self-Titled EP and More!

The Muffs, Pandoras and Friggs, (Palmyra Delran, Kim Shattuck and Melanie Vammen), have joined together to form The Coolies, an East Coast meets West Coast super-group with a mission to combat ALS.

The Coolies will be releasing a six song, self-titled EP featuring fuzztastic power poppers next Friday, July 19. The first single is called “Uh Oh,” a magnetic garage pop track infused with heavy instrumentals.

The Coolies EP, which features a 3-D album cover + glasses, will be released on a transparent emerald green 10” vinyl. As a group, The Coolies have decided to donate 100% of proceeds from the record sales to support research for the ALS Association, whose mission is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

Here is the Pre-Order Link: https://geni.us/TheCoolies

Learn more about The Coolies in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are into the 7th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 is treating the band so far? What have been some goals this group has had this year? How close are you to reaching them?

Kim: Enjoy our EP, because it was our goal

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could agree on? Has anything surprised you about this musical journey so far?

Kim: It was the most easy band name ever!

Melanie: Kim, Palmyra and I were chatting, and Kim said, “I wish we could be a band” and Palmyra said “well…” and that was it. Our new band!

Palmyra: We formed in 3 seconds.

How does being in The Coolies compare to being in your other 3 bands?

Kim: It’s been so great, and I wanted to be in a band with Melanie since we have been friends again since 2011.

Melanie: I love playing with Kim again! It’s what we’re meant to do. We’re musical soulmates! I’ve also been playing live with Palmyra when she plays out on the West Coast. She’s badass and I love playing with her! Getting to play with both of them in The Coolies is amazing!

Palmyra: It’s comical how effortless this project was! Definitely meant to be!

How do you think your hometowns have influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? If not, what do you think does influence this group?

Palmyra: I don’t think our hometowns influenced our music at all. We each draw from the music that we grew up with and dig now. It just so happens that we were sparked by similar music – on either coast.

I always like to ask bands if you all hang out socially apart from the music? In other words, when you aren’t working on music, do you guys enjoy hanging out for fun?

Melanie: Um yes, all the time! Kim & I have sleepovers every Friday night. We speaker call Palmyra and talk some good trash!

Kim: We love hanging out with each other and the best time in the world is hanging out with all three of us!

Palmyra: Sometimes I get separation anxiety! We’re always in contact one way or another, especially through music. Kim puts together great iTunes playlists that we all listen to, or we’ll send silly photos or video clips to each other, which makes me feel connected to them.

Let’s talk about your new self-titled EP. What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?

Melanie: It was amazing and fun! We all work so great together! This is such an important and special recording we’ve made.

Kim: Nothing surprises me with these girls!

Palmyra: Working through cyberspace was super fun, too! I’m looking forward to our next batch of songs!

Why did you decide to give all the proceeds for this EP to ALS research? Why is this so important to you all?

Kim: This disease runs severely in my family on my dad’s side. When doing this EP, we had in mind of giving all proceeds to the ALS Association. ALS needs a cure!

Melanie: People enduring this horrific disease are my heroes. A cure needs to be found now!

Palmyra: And every bit helps – donations and to raise awareness.

How do you think that your first single released from this EP, “Uh Oh” prepares listeners for the full EP? What was the inspiration for this track?

Kim: It’s about friends who talk shit on each other.

Palmyra: A hint of what’s to come.

Generally, how do you go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately?

Melanie: Separate and together.

Kim: We love writing songs and they have poured into our lives.

Palmyra: No rules, no stress.

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

Melanie: Being able to make music and play live is the greatest thing in the world. Getting to do it with my best friends makes it complete!

Kim: Definitely the studio!

Palmyra: I go in phases – writing, recording, & gigging. All are important if ya wanna be a musician.

Where can fans see you perform next? What do you think makes for an ideal show for this group?

Palmyra: We’re scheming!

What has been a favorite show of yours in the past?

Palmyra: We all have a long history of gigging with our various bands. It would be hard to pick! But I gotta say, as a music fan myself… I haven’t missed a Muffs show within driving distance since their first tour for their first album!

How has social media impacted this band? How often are you all on your different sites interacting with fans?

Kim: I love when people love us!

Melanie: Social media is great! I love posting and interacting with fans!

Palmyra: It’s the way to do it these days, isn’t it? It’s like, a cool pic or funny post will connect us with new & cool people! Or even stir the pot and cause controversy.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now, so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians, and in this band, still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

Kim: “Ignoramus” is based on Trump and there’s nothing like entertainment to cure politics.

Palmyra: So is “Come Spy With Me” from my latest album. Ya gotta see the comedy or you’re doomed.

What musicians have really been inspiring you since you first started making music?

Kim: I’m really inspired by the early Kinks

Melanie: I love Big Star – Alex Chilton and Chris Bell really inspire me.

Palmyra: That’s a loaded question!

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

Kim: A little bit of melody

Palmyra: A connection with each other. Songs can mean different things to people. I love hearing what the songs mean to different people. And we want our songs to be stuck in your head!

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about this group?

Palmyra: We are happy to be a band and hope you dig our music! The Coolies love you!