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Jessicka
Musical artist

Jessicka (born Jessica Fodera on October 23, 1975) is an American singer and artist who is best known for her bands Jack Off Jill and Scarling.


Early life

Jessicka grew up in the town of Sunrise, Florida. She was raised as an only child by her mother Nancy after her mother divorced her husband, Joseph. While attending elementary school Jessicka was placed in the school's gifted program, where she excelled in theatre, art, and creative writing. After high school Jessicka had immersed herself in music, Goth-culture, gay iconography, and feminist literature. At seventeen she decided that she wanted to start her own band.

Music career

Jack Off Jill 1992-2000

Main article: Jack Off Jill

After a few failed attempts at starting a band, Jessicka met Tenni Arslanyan while attending high school in Sunrise, Florida. They had begun writing songs, but had not yet formed a complete band when Robin Moulder and Michelle Oliver joined them to create the band Jack In Jill. In 1992, Jack In Jill got their start when they were asked to open for fellow Floridian and long time friend Marilyn Manson and his band, Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids at a Davie, Florida nightclub called The Plus 5 Lounge. Before advertisements for the show were printed, Manson suggested a name change to Jack Off Jill, which the foursome accepted. In 1993, Jack Off Jill released their first recording titled, "Children 5 And Up", produced by Marilyn Manson. Dreadlock-clad Jessicka was the center of all the hype and attention that JOJ received. In early 1993, Jessicka and Manson formed Mrs. Scabtree. Scabtree was a side project where Manson played drums, while Jessicka shared vocal duties with Jeordie White. He and Jessicka met while working at a Florida based record store called CD Exchange.

In late December 1993 while on tour, Jessicka spent a night in jail when she and Manson were arrested after a concert in Jacksonville, Florida, after being arrested for breaking the town's adult entertainment codes. Both singers were charged with misdemeanors.Though Jessicka's onstage behavior was often labeled as shocking,. she's never claimed to be a shock rocker. In fact, Jack Off Jill had more in common musically with riot grrl acts such as Babes in Toyland and Bikini Kill than they did with Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. The band themselves were popular with fans of other grungy bands like L7 and 7 Year Bitch, but it was Jessicka's relationship with Twiggy Ramirez, that was in the spotlight, making critics' comparisons draw even closer to Marilyn Manson. Noticeably, most of Jeordie White’s signature early “Twiggy Ramirez“ look, down to the multi colored dreadlocks, was taken directly from Jessicka and previous Manson bassist and Gidget Gein.

Jack Off Jill released several independent records and several 7" singles on Jessicka's own label Rectum Records, all before her 21st birthday. It was not until she played a benefit show on April 7, 1994 with legendary Minneapolis based grrl band Babes in Toyland and 7 Year Bitch at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach, that Jack Off Jill caught the eye of record labels. Jack Off Jill signed with Los Angeles based Risk Records, in January 1997. The band released their first full-length Sexless Demons And Scars, on September 9, 1997, then hit the road on several tours in the United States and Canada.

On July 17, 2000, JOJ released their second full-length CD, Clear Hearts Grey Flowers, just as their label was preparing to close its doors. Due to pressure, poor publicity for C.H.G.F, several line up changes, tension between founding members Jessicka and Robin, and management problems, Jack Off Jill played its last show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles in April 2000. They were joined onstage by guitarist Helen Storer of the UK band Fluffy and producer Chris Vrenna on drums. JOJ officially called it quits in late 2000.

Scarling. 2002 - present

Main article: Scarling.

After taking a break and making Los Angeles her permanent residence, Jessicka was invited in 2001 by guitarist Christian Hejnal to perform guest vocals on his solo album. The pair had only met a few months earlier through their mutual friend Lisa Leveridge at a Los Angeles night club. They began recording and rehearsing together and eventually recruited the musicians who would form the first and very short-lived lineup of Scarling. in 2002. In early 2002 Jessicka was introduced to Long Gone John, owner of Sympathy for the Record Industry, by mutual friend Mark Ryden. On March 19, 2003 Scarling.'s debut single, "Band Aid Covers the Bullet Hole", was released on John's label. Its cover featured an illustration entitled "Wound 39" by artist Mark Ryden. In April 2004, Scarling released their first album, the seven-song, thirty-three-minute Sweet Heart Dealer, which again utilized the team of Ryden and Vrenna.

In the autumn of 2004, Jessicka was featured on the cover of ROCKRGRL magazine's vocalist issue. Scarling. was invited to join the lineup of the Robert Smith-curated Curiosa Festival, performing on select West Coast dates alongside Jessicka's long-time favorite, The Cure. Three weeks before joining the Curiosa tour, drummer Samantha Maloney filled in and was soon replaced by Beth Gordon.

Smith described the band's music as "dark, desperate, chaotic, gorgeous pop music, the sound of the end of the world" and nominated "Sweet Heart Dealer" for the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize.

After a series of 7" singles on Sympathy, Scarling. announced in early 2005 that their second album, So Long, Scarecrow, would appear later that year; it was preceded by the single "We are the Music Makers" and was released on August 23, 2005. So Long, Scarecrow was co-produced by Rob Campanella and received much critical praise. Alternative Press gave the album a 5 out of 5 rating. Simon Price from The Independent said, "Fodera has always had a knack for acronyms and catchphrases,'Manorexic' is one which will be lapped up by the goth kids, but her intriguing lyrics, sung in a voice pitched midway between Kate Bush sweetness and Siouxsie Sioux stridency, cut deeper than mere punning.

In December 2005, Scarling. embarked on its first UK tour, creating a buzz for themselves and selling out most venues. While in Europe, Jessicka attended long-time friend Manson's wedding to burlesque performer Dita Von Teese on December 3, 2005, in a non-denominational ceremony at Gottfried Helnwein's castle in County Tipperary, Ireland. In 2006 Jessicka continued to tour in the US and Europe with Scarling, touring with such bands as UK shoegaze outfit Amusement Parks on Fire and opening for The Wedding Present and Depeche Mode. In 2006, Scarling. released their fourth single Staring to the Sun. The album cover featured a potrait of Jessicka done my Los Angeles photographer Piper Ferguson. Scarling. are currently working on their new album.

Between bands

Post-Jack Off Jill Jessicka worked with Kevin Haskins , producer Chris Vrenna on American McGee's Alice soundtrack, drummer Samantha Maloney , and horror comic and magician Roman Dirge. Fodera also made a cameo appearance in the film Ellie Parker.

In 2008 Jessicka was one of the contributors to Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's book Cherry Bomb. She gave tips on how to start a band.

In 2009, Jessicka contributed quotes to the books I Love Geeks: The Official Handbook by author Carrie Tucker and Girls Against Girls by author Bonnie Burton.

Jessicka is currently working with designer Jared Gold and Clint Catalyst. She appeared on Germany's Next Top Model hosted by Heidi Klum, on March 5, 2009.

Personal life

Jessicka purports to be bisexual and has discussed sexual experiences with both men and women.

On February 14, 2006, (Valentine's Day) while on a break from touring, she and guitarist Christian Hejnal were engaged. Their wedding took place on October 13, 2007 at the Oviatt Penthouse in Los Angeles. The couple changed their surname to Addams. Ryden's wedding gift was a miniature portrait of the couple, a faithful adaptation of Jan Van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait," that was reproduced on the invitations.

Artwork

On April 25, 2008 Jessicka unveiled her artwork to the public at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery in Los Angeles, California. The multi-artist show called "depARTed" was curated by actor Daniel Franzese and featured art inspired by stars that died before their time. The event was sponsored by Flaunt magazine.

On February 7, 2009 Jessicka attended artist Mark Ryden's exhibition "The Snow Yak Show" at the Tomio Koyama Gallery in Tokyo along with well known artists Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman, Chris Berens, Junko Mizuno,and Marion Peck. Jessicka was listed as one of Ryden's muses for the show.

In April 2009, Jessicka was shot by photographer Austin Young for the Bettie Page "Heaven Bound" art show.

Discography

Jack Off Jill

Cassette demos

  • 1993: "Children 5 And Up" (Seven songs)
  • 1994: "Boy Grinder Session" (Five songs)
  • 1995: "Cannibal Song Book" (Eleven songs)
  • 1996: "Cockroach Waltz" (Seven songs)
indicates un-released demo.

Albums and EPs

Scarling.

Guest contributions

Soundtrack

Filmography

Sources

References

  1. Chicago Music Guide Scarling. Interview -Noreen Sobczyk
  2. Pelletier, George."Paying The Rant" Miami New Times feature, November 27, 1997.
  3. Kissel, Ted. Manson: The Early YearsMiami New Times, January 21, 1999.
  4. MTV.com1:MTV news March 22, 1999". URL accessed June 18, 2007.
  5. Anthony, Todd. Miami New Times, July 07, 1993.
  6. Baker, Greg. Miami New Times, February 09, 1994.
  7. Baker, Greg. Program Notes 48 Miami New Times March 16, 1993
  8. Henriques, Christina. "Big Things in Store" Miami New Times, July 07, 1993.
  9. Miscreant Archive 2005
  10. The Alternakids 2007
  11. Take 40 Manson Biography
  12. Baker, Greg. Miami New Times, January 5, 1995.
  13. Pelletier, George."Paying The Rant" Miami New Times feature, November 27, 1997.
  14. Jack-off-Jill-Biography
  15. Scratch Records Jack Off Jill information
  16. Blue beat Artists in Riot Grrrl
  17. List Of Riot Girl Bands
  18. The Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time, A–G Issue #35 Venus Magazine March 1st, 2008
  19. Jack Off Jill Biography sing365.com
  20. RIP Gidget Gein (October 9, 2008) Bassist For Marilyn Manson- The Music’s Over October 9, 2008
  21. Baker, Greg. "The Hits Just Keep on Coming" Miami New Times, April 06, 1994.
  22. MTV news June 8, 1999
  23. MTV news March 04, 2000
  24. ^ The OFFICIAL Jack Off Jill - Website :: Archive :: Store
  25. Chicago Music Guide Scarling. Interview -Noreen Sobczyk
  26. Morrissey, Callye. Venus Magazine Issue# 26, December 1, 2005
  27. ROCKRGRL magazine Vocalist issue featuring Jessicka
  28. Curiosa Festival 2004 JULY 9, 2004
  29. Hochman, Steve. Los Angeles Times -August 30, 2004
  30. MTV news July 7, 2004
  31. Vernon, Rebecca. Slug Magazine, February 2, 2005
  32. BBC Norfolk review Amusement Parks On Fire/Scarling.December, 5, 2006
  33. MTV news August 28, 2004
  34. Finalists For The Shortlist Music Prize 08.24.2004
  35. Shortlist Listmakers Longlists Listed August 5, 2004
  36. Seaver, Morley. Scarling - So Long Scarecrow Review
  37. Tucker, Carrie. Filter Magazine So Long, Scarecrow review
  38. Scene Point Blank Review
  39. Pettigrew, Jason."Less screamy, more dreamy." Alternative Press Magazine Jan. 31, 2006
  40. Price, Simon. The Independent on Sunday (London, England) September 4, 2005
  41. Bowles, Hamish. "The Bride Wore Purple" Vogue, The Bride Wore Purple. February 14, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  42. Maeve Quigley, "Rocker ties Knot with Dita", Sunday Mirror, UK, December 4, 2005
  43. BBC.co.UK Gig List
  44. Stylefeeder.com Staring to the Sun
  45. http:www.scarling.com Official Scarling. Site
  46. MessyMusic.com July 25, 2000
  47. Chris Vrenna American McGees Alice MP3Download
  48. The Ingenues
  49. Dirge, Roman. Lenore: Wedgies. ISBN 0943151317. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  50. LA WEEKLY July 30, 2008
  51. "WHO SAYS COOLNESS CAN'T BE TAUGHT?". skope mag.com. 2008-05-07. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  52. Tucker, Carrie. I Love Geeks: The Official Handbook. ISBN 1605500232. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  53. Burton, Bonnie. Girls Against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change. ISBN 097901736X. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  54. In Utah This Week 2009-02-26 No more swinging from the Black Chandelier
  55. Riotgrrrlonline Jessicka quotes
  56. Rice, Boyd. "Seconds Magazine Interview with Jessicka" 1998
  57. "This bride definitely wears black"Los Angeles Times October 28, 2007
  58. bridezilla "Weird Wedding Photo #5: "Amore A La Addams Family"
  59. Flaunt Magazine » daniel franzese
  60. S.F. News depARTed show
  61. http://www.tomiokoyamagallery.com/index/eng/frame.html
  62. Anderson, Kristen."hifructos Magazine Online Mark Ryden's "The Snow Yak" show in Tokyo" February 12, 2009
  63. The Snow Yak Show (Mark Ryden) in Tokyo Opening Night February 11, 2009
  64. Wolfson, Julie. LAist.com "Lenora Claire on her 'Bettie Page: Heaven Bound' Art Show"April 30, 2009

External links

Jack Off Jill
Albums
Extended plays
Compilations
Scarling.
Albums
Extended plays
Singles
Categories: