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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Short description|American Hasidic alternative rock band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bulletproof Stockings
| name = Bulletproof Stockings
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| background = group_or_band
| alias = BPS
| alias = BPS
| origin = [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]], [[New York]], USA
| origin = [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]], New York City, USA
| genre = [[Jewish rock]], [[alternative rock]], [[post-punk]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nirenberg, Michael|title=The First Hasidic Rock Band|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-nirenberg/the-first-hasidic-rock-ba_b_5668429.html|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=11 December 2015|date=Aug 13, 2014}}</ref>
| genre = [[Jewish rock]], [[alternative rock]], [[post-punk]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=Nirenberg, Michael|title=The First Hasidic Rock Band|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-nirenberg/the-first-hasidic-rock-ba_b_5668429.html|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=December 11, 2015|date=August 13, 2014}}</ref>
| years_active = {{start date|2011}}–present
| years_active = {{start date|2011}}– 2016
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Hopewell (band)|Hopewell]]
| associated_acts = PERL, New Moon All-Stars Party Band, Nehedar
| website = {{URL|bulletproofstockings.com}}
| website = {{URL|bulletproofstockings.com}}
| current_members = Perl Wolfe<br>[[Dalia Shusterman]]<br>Dana Pestun<br>Elisheva Maister
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Perl Wolfe]]<br>[[Dalia Shusterman]]<br>Dana Pestun<br>Elisheva Maister
| past_members =
}}
}}
'''Bulletproof Stockings''' is an American Hasidic [[alternative rock]] band based in [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]], [[New York]]. Formed in 2011 by lead singer Perl Wolfe and ex-[[Hopewell (band)|Hopewell]] drummer [[Dalia Shusterman]], the group independently released its debut EP, ''[[Down to the Top EP|Down to the Top]]'' the following year. They have been noted for their unique sound among [[Contemporary Jewish religious music|Jewish music]], as well as their adherence to the prohibition of ''[[kol isha]]'' by performing for female-only audiences.
'''Bulletproof Stockings''' was an American Hasidic [[alternative rock]] band based in [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]], New York City. Formed in 2011 by lead singer [[Perl Wolfe]] and ex-[[Hopewell (band)|Hopewell]] drummer [[Dalia Shusterman]], the group independently released its debut EP, ''Down to the Top'' the following year. They were noted for their unique sound among [[Contemporary Jewish religious music|Jewish music]], as well as their adherence to the prohibition of ''[[kol isha]]'' by performing for female-only audiences.


== Band history ==
== Band history ==
===Origins (2011-2012)===
===Origins (2011–2012)===
In 2011, lead singer Perl Wolfe began writing music. She moved from [[Chicago]] to [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]] neighborhood determined to form an all female band to perform her original music for female audiences. <ref name="Times of Israel">{{cite web|title=Ladies (and not gentlemen): The Bulletproof Stockings!|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/girls-just-want-to-have-fun/|publisher=''[[Times of Israel]]''|accessdate=26 March 2013|author=Ghert-Zand, Renee|date=Oct 2012}}</ref> Wolfe was introduced by a mutual friend to ex-[[Hopewell (band)|Hopewell]] drummer [[Dalia Shusterman]], and the two formed Bulletproof Stockings in December 2011.<ref name="Times of Israel" /><ref name=beast>{{cite web|author1=Shire, Emily|title=The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic Rockers|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/30/the-sisterhood-of-bulletproof-stockings-it-s-ladies-night-for-hasidic-rockers.html|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=Sep 30, 2014}}</ref>
In 2011, singer-songwriter [[Perl Wolfe]] moved from Chicago to [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]] neighborhood.<ref name="Times of Israel">{{cite news|title=Ladies (and not gentlemen): The Bulletproof Stockings!|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/girls-just-want-to-have-fun/|newspaper=[[Times of Israel]]|accessdate=March 26, 2013|author=Ghert-Zand, Renee|date=Oct 2012}}</ref> There, she was introduced by a mutual friend to ex-[[Hopewell (band)|Hopewell]] drummer [[Dalia Shusterman]], and the two formed Bulletproof Stockings in December 2011.<ref name="Times of Israel" /><ref name=beast>{{cite web|author1=Shire, Emily|title=The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It's Ladies' Night for Hasidic Rockers|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/30/the-sisterhood-of-bulletproof-stockings-it-s-ladies-night-for-hasidic-rockers.html|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>


===''Down to the Top'' EP (2012-2015)===
===''Down to the Top'' EP (2012–2015)===
The band independently released their first official recording, ''[[Down to the Top EP]]'', on April 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Down to the Top|url=http://www.amazon.com/Down-to-the-Top/dp/B007YO51ZO|publisher=[[Amazon.com]]|accessdate=31 March 2013}}</ref> They subsequently announced plans for a full-length album.<ref name="Times of Israel" />
The band independently released their first official recording, ''Down to the Top EP'', on April 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Down to the Top|website=Amazon|url=https://www.amazon.com/Down-to-the-Top/dp/B007YO51ZO|accessdate=March 31, 2013}}</ref>


A documentary about the band, ''The Bulletproof Stockings'', was screened at the 2013 [[DOC NYC]] film festival.<ref name=wsj>{{cite web|author1=Sara Trappler-Spielman|title=Hasidic 'Rocker Chicks' Bulletproof Stockings Seek Broader Audience|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/hasidic-rocker-chicks-bulletproof-stockings-seek-broader-audience-1407351090|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=August 6, 2014}}</ref> On August 7, 2014, the band performed at [[Arlene's Grocery]] in the [[Lower East Side]]. The show was filmed by the [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen Network]] for the reality show ''Living Different''.<ref name=wsj /><ref>{{cite web|author1=Ohlheiser, Abby|title=Here’s what happens when an all-female Hasidic rock band bans men from its audience|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2014/08/08/heres-what-happens-when-an-all-female-hasidic-rock-band-bans-men-from-its-audience/|website=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Euse, Erica|title=Hasidic Rock Band Bulletproof Stockings Just Want an All Girl Party|url=http://www.vice.com/read/hasidic-rock-band-bulletproof-stockings-just-want-an-all-girl-party|website=[[Vice (magazine)|VICE]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=August 29, 2014}}</ref>
A documentary about the band, ''The Bulletproof Stockings'', was screened at the 2013 [[DOC NYC]] film festival.<ref name=wsj>{{cite web|author1=Sara Trappler-Spielman|title=Hasidic 'Rocker Chicks' Bulletproof Stockings Seek Broader Audience|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hasidic-rocker-chicks-bulletproof-stockings-seek-broader-audience-1407351090|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=August 6, 2014}}</ref> On August 7, 2014, the band performed at [[Arlene's Grocery]] in the [[Lower East Side]]. The show was filmed by the [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen Network]] for the reality show ''Living Different''.<ref name=wsj /><ref>{{cite news|author1=Ohlheiser, Abby|title=Here's what happens when an all-female Hasidic rock band bans men from its audience|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2014/08/08/heres-what-happens-when-an-all-female-hasidic-rock-band-bans-men-from-its-audience/|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Euse, Erica|title=Hasidic Rock Band Bulletproof Stockings Just Want an All Girl Party|url=https://www.vice.com/read/hasidic-rock-band-bulletproof-stockings-just-want-an-all-girl-party|website=[[Vice (magazine)|VICE]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=August 29, 2014}}</ref>


===National tour and ''Homeland Call Stomp'' (2015-2016)===
===National tour, ''Homeland Call Stomp'', and separation (2015–2016)===
In the spring of 2015, the band launched a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to fund their debut full-length album, announcing that they had begun recording at Strange Weather Studios with producers Marc Alan Goodman and Howie Feibusch and would soon release the album's first single, "Mind Clear".<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulletproof Stockings's First Full Length Album|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bulletproofstockings/bulletproof-stockingss-first-full-length-album/description|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Dreyfus, Hannah|title=Chasidic Female Rock Band Kickstart First Album|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/chasidic-female-rock-band-kickstart-first-album|website=[[The Jewish Week]]|accessdate=25 August 2015|date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> The campaign was successful, with the album set for release in late January 2016.<ref name=inn>{{cite web|author1=Raphael Poch|title=Hassidic girl rock band makes waves across US|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/205734#.Vo85l1ly3IV|website=[[Arutz Sheva]]|accessdate=8 January 2016|date=Dec 31, 2015}}</ref>
In the spring of 2015, the band launched a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to fund their debut full-length album, announcing that they had begun recording at Strange Weather Studios with producers Marc Alan Goodman and Howie Feibusch and would soon release the album's first single, "Mind Clear".<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulletproof Stockings's First Full Length Album|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bulletproofstockings/bulletproof-stockingss-first-full-length-album/description|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Dreyfus, Hannah|title=Chasidic Female Rock Band Kickstart First Album|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/chasidic-female-rock-band-kickstart-first-album|website=[[The Jewish Week]]|accessdate=August 25, 2015|date=March 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930221517/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/chasidic-female-rock-band-kickstart-first-album|archive-date=September 30, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The campaign was successful, with the album set for release in late January 2016.<ref name=inn>{{cite web|author1=Raphael Poch|title=Hassidic girl rock band makes waves across US|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/205734#.Vo85l1ly3IV|website=[[Arutz Sheva]]|accessdate=January 8, 2016|date=December 31, 2015}}</ref>


In December 2015, the band embarked on their first national tour, the Homeland Winter tour, beginning with a [[Hanukkah]] concert at [[Webster Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Victoria Irwin|title=Bulletproof Stockings Announces Winter Tour|url=http://fangirlnation.com/2015/10/06/bulletproof-stockings-announces-winter-tour/|publisher=Fangirlnation|accessdate=8 January 2016|date=Oct 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=tablet>{{cite web|author1=Tess Cutler|title=Bulletproof Rock|url=http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/195712/bulletproof-rock|publisher=[[Tablet (magazine)|Tablet]]|accessdate=8 January 2016|date=Dec 10, 2015}}</ref> The tour included stops in [[New York]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], [[San Francisco]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Chicago]], and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].<ref name=inn />
In December 2015, the band embarked on their first national tour, the Homeland Winter tour, beginning with a [[Hanukkah]] concert at [[Webster Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Victoria Irwin|title=Bulletproof Stockings Announces Winter Tour|url=http://fangirlnation.com/2015/10/06/bulletproof-stockings-announces-winter-tour/|publisher=Fangirlnation|accessdate=January 8, 2016|date=October 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name=tablet>{{cite magazine|author1=Tess Cutler|title=Bulletproof Rock|url=http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/195712/bulletproof-rock|magazine=[[Tablet (magazine)|Tablet]]|accessdate=January 8, 2016|date=December 10, 2015}}</ref> The tour included stops in New York City, [[Philadelphia]], Washington, D.C., [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], San Francisco, Los Angeles, and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].<ref name=inn />

On April 8, 2016, the band announced via Facebook that they had disbanded, and that members would be "[moving] on to new chapters."<ref>{{cite web|title=Dearest fans, friends and family...|url=https://www.facebook.com/BulletproofStockings/photos/a.236941926394638.60174.199190220169809/1016437341778422/?type=3|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Members of the group subsequently formed the projects PERL and the New Moon All Stars Party Band.


== Musical style and performances ==
== Musical style and performances ==
Bulletproof Stockings was an [[alternative rock|alternative]]/[[indie rock]] band<ref name="Times of Israel" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Indie band Bulletproof Stockings refreshingly original|url=http://thejewishchronicle.net/view/full_story/19814790/article-Indie-band-Bulletproof-Stockings-refreshingly-original|publisher=''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]''|accessdate=31 March 2013|author=Tabachnick, Toby|date=Aug 2012}}</ref> with influences from [[Punk rock|punk]], [[pop music|pop]], [[jazz]], [[blues]], and [[funk]].<ref name=tablet /><ref>{{cite web|author1=Antoaneta Roussi|title=Bulletproof Stockings, World's First All-Female Hasidic Rock Band, Gets Debut Album|url=http://forward.com/culture/327803/bulletproof-stockings-worlds-first-all-female-hasidic-rock-band-gets-debut/|website=[[The Forward]]|accessdate=27 December 2015|date=Dec 24, 2015}}</ref> They also incorporated their [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] faith and tradition, even using the [[musical form|melodic structures]] from traditional [[Chabad Niggunim|Chabad ''nigunnim'']].<ref name="New Yorker">{{cite web|title=Abrahamic Rockers|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/12/abrahamic-rockers.html|publisher=''[[The New Yorker]]''|accessdate=31 March 2013|author=Osgood, Kelsey|date=Dec 10, 2012}}</ref>
Bulletproof Stockings was an [[alternative rock|alternative]]/[[indie rock]] band<ref name="Times of Israel" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Indie band Bulletproof Stockings refreshingly original|url=http://thejewishchronicle.net/view/full_story/19814790/article-Indie-band-Bulletproof-Stockings-refreshingly-original|newspaper=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|accessdate=March 31, 2013|author=Tabachnick, Toby|date=Aug 2012}}</ref> with influences from [[Punk rock|punk]], pop, [[jazz]], [[blues]], and [[funk]].<ref name=tablet /><ref>{{cite web|author1=Antoaneta Roussi|title=Bulletproof Stockings, World's First All-Female Hasidic Rock Band, Gets Debut Album|url=http://forward.com/culture/327803/bulletproof-stockings-worlds-first-all-female-hasidic-rock-band-gets-debut/|website=[[The Forward]]|accessdate=December 27, 2015|date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> They also incorporated their [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] faith and tradition, even using the [[musical form|melodic structures]] from traditional [[Chabad niggunim|Chabad ''nigunnim'']].<ref name="New Yorker">{{cite magazine|title=Abrahamic Rockers|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/12/abrahamic-rockers.html|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|accessdate=March 31, 2013|author=Osgood, Kelsey|date=December 10, 2012}}</ref>


Their sound has been compared to that of [[Adele]], [[Nina Simone]], [[Fiona Apple]], and [[Florence and the Machine]], while the band themselves has cited influences including [[Radiohead]], [[The White Stripes]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], and [[Jane's Addiction]].<ref name="Times of Israel" /> Lead singer Perl Wolfe has said that her lyrics, while not always explictly religious, are nevertheless inspired by "[[Torah]] and by [[Chabad|Lubavitch]]’s version of Hasidic faith".<ref name="New Yorker" />
Their sound was compared to that of [[Adele]], [[Nina Simone]], [[Fiona Apple]], and [[Florence and the Machine]], while the band themselves cited influences including [[Radiohead]], [[The White Stripes]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], and [[Jane's Addiction]].<ref name="Times of Israel" /> Lead singer Perl Wolfe was quoted saying that her lyrics, while not always explicitly religious, were nevertheless inspired by "[[Torah]] and by [[Chabad|Lubavitch]]’s version of Hasidic faith".<ref name="New Yorker" />


In [[concert]], the band is known for adhering to the rabbinic prohibition of ''[[kol isha]]'' by only admitting women to their live shows. Wolfe argues that this is beneficial to their audience: "Women will party and rock out in a completely different way when there’s nobody there but women."<ref>{{cite web|title=Hasidic girl band Bulletproof Stockings lights up Crown Heights|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/unorthodox_dtXvx36DDgZSgg8a37eTAI|publisher=''[[New York Post]]''|accessdate=31 March 2013|author=Marsh, Julia|date=Oct 2012}}</ref>
In concert, the band was known for adhering to the rabbinic prohibition of ''[[kol isha]]'' by only admitting women to their live shows. "The band can't legally prevent men from attending", says Shusterman, "but people are amazed by the fact that we put the word out and it's pretty much respected." Wolfe argued that this was beneficial to their audience: "Women will party and rock out in a completely different way when there’s nobody there but women."<ref>{{cite news|title=Hasidic girl band Bulletproof Stockings lights up Crown Heights|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/unorthodox_dtXvx36DDgZSgg8a37eTAI|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|accessdate=March 31, 2013|author=Marsh, Julia|date=Oct 2012}}</ref>


== Band members ==
== Band members ==
* Perl Wolfe — [[lead vocals]], [[piano]]
* [[Perl Wolfe]] — songwriter, lead vocals, piano <small>(2011–2016)</small>
* [[Dalia Shusterman]] — [[drummer|drums]], [[vocals]]
* [[Dalia Shusterman]] — drums, vocals <small>(2011–2016)</small>
* Dana Pestun — [[violin]]
* Dana Pestun – violin <small>(2013–2016)</small>
* Elisheva Maister — [[cello]]
* Elisheva Maister – cello <small>(2012–2016)</small>


;Touring members
;Touring member
* Laura Kegeles — cello
* Laura Kegeles – cello


== Discography ==
== Discography ==
;Albums
;Albums
*''Homeland Call Stomp'' (2016)
*''Homeland Call Stomp'' (2016; unreleased)


;EPs
;EPs
*''[[Down to the Top EP]]'' (2012)
*''Down to the Top EP'' (2012)


;Singles
;Singles
Line 65: Line 68:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.bulletproofstockings.com Official website]
* {{Official website|http://www.bulletproofstockings.com}}
* Iris Mann, "[http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/article/bulletproof_stockings_chasidic_women_rock ‘Bulletproof Stockings’: Chasidic women rock]", ''[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|The Jewish Journal]]'', January 2015
* Iris Mann, "[http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/article/bulletproof_stockings_chasidic_women_rock ‘Bulletproof Stockings’: Chasidic women rock]", ''[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|The Jewish Journal]]'', January 2015
* Simi Lampert, "[http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/164032/lady-hasidic-alt-rockers/ Lady Hasidic Alt Rockers]", ''[[The Forward]]'', October 2012
* Simi Lampert, "[http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/164032/lady-hasidic-alt-rockers/ Lady Hasidic Alt Rockers]", ''[[The Forward]]'', October 2012
* "[http://on.aol.com/video/youve-got-bulletproof-stockings-517669734 You've Got Bulletproof Stockings]", [[AOL]] video interview, February 2013
* "[http://on.aol.com/video/youve-got-bulletproof-stockings-517669734 You've Got Bulletproof Stockings]", [[AOL]] video interview, February 2013


[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:American Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:American Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Jewish musical groups]]
[[Category:Jewish musical groups]]
[[Category:Jewish rock groups]]
[[Category:Jewish rock groups]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from New York]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2011]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2011]]
[[Category:People from Crown Heights, Brooklyn]]
[[Category:People from Crown Heights, Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Jewish feminists]]
[[Category:Orthodox Jewish women musicians]]
[[Category:2011 establishments in New York City]]

Latest revision as of 05:17, 13 April 2023

Bulletproof Stockings
Also known asBPS
OriginCrown Heights, New York City, USA
GenresJewish rock, alternative rock, post-punk[1]
Years active2011 (2011)– 2016
Past membersPerl Wolfe
Dalia Shusterman
Dana Pestun
Elisheva Maister
Websitebulletproofstockings.com

Bulletproof Stockings was an American Hasidic alternative rock band based in Crown Heights, New York City. Formed in 2011 by lead singer Perl Wolfe and ex-Hopewell drummer Dalia Shusterman, the group independently released its debut EP, Down to the Top the following year. They were noted for their unique sound among Jewish music, as well as their adherence to the prohibition of kol isha by performing for female-only audiences.

Band history

[edit]

Origins (2011–2012)

[edit]

In 2011, singer-songwriter Perl Wolfe moved from Chicago to Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood.[2] There, she was introduced by a mutual friend to ex-Hopewell drummer Dalia Shusterman, and the two formed Bulletproof Stockings in December 2011.[2][3]

Down to the Top EP (2012–2015)

[edit]

The band independently released their first official recording, Down to the Top EP, on April 1, 2012.[4]

A documentary about the band, The Bulletproof Stockings, was screened at the 2013 DOC NYC film festival.[5] On August 7, 2014, the band performed at Arlene's Grocery in the Lower East Side. The show was filmed by the Oxygen Network for the reality show Living Different.[5][6][7]

National tour, Homeland Call Stomp, and separation (2015–2016)

[edit]

In the spring of 2015, the band launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their debut full-length album, announcing that they had begun recording at Strange Weather Studios with producers Marc Alan Goodman and Howie Feibusch and would soon release the album's first single, "Mind Clear".[8][9] The campaign was successful, with the album set for release in late January 2016.[10]

In December 2015, the band embarked on their first national tour, the Homeland Winter tour, beginning with a Hanukkah concert at Webster Hall.[11][12] The tour included stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Portland.[10]

On April 8, 2016, the band announced via Facebook that they had disbanded, and that members would be "[moving] on to new chapters."[13] Members of the group subsequently formed the projects PERL and the New Moon All Stars Party Band.

Musical style and performances

[edit]

Bulletproof Stockings was an alternative/indie rock band[2][14] with influences from punk, pop, jazz, blues, and funk.[12][15] They also incorporated their Hasidic faith and tradition, even using the melodic structures from traditional Chabad nigunnim.[16]

Their sound was compared to that of Adele, Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, and Florence and the Machine, while the band themselves cited influences including Radiohead, The White Stripes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jane's Addiction.[2] Lead singer Perl Wolfe was quoted saying that her lyrics, while not always explicitly religious, were nevertheless inspired by "Torah and by Lubavitch’s version of Hasidic faith".[16]

In concert, the band was known for adhering to the rabbinic prohibition of kol isha by only admitting women to their live shows. "The band can't legally prevent men from attending", says Shusterman, "but people are amazed by the fact that we put the word out and it's pretty much respected." Wolfe argued that this was beneficial to their audience: "Women will party and rock out in a completely different way when there’s nobody there but women."[17]

Band members

[edit]
  • Perl Wolfe — songwriter, lead vocals, piano (2011–2016)
  • Dalia Shusterman — drums, vocals (2011–2016)
  • Dana Pestun – violin (2013–2016)
  • Elisheva Maister – cello (2012–2016)
Touring member
  • Laura Kegeles – cello

Discography

[edit]
Albums
  • Homeland Call Stomp (2016; unreleased)
EPs
  • Down to the Top EP (2012)
Singles
  • "Frigid City" (Down to the Top; 2012)
  • "Mind Clear" (Homeland Call Stomp; 2015)
  • "Homeland Call Stomp" (Homeland Call Stomp; 2015)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nirenberg, Michael (August 13, 2014). "The First Hasidic Rock Band". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Ghert-Zand, Renee (October 2012). "Ladies (and not gentlemen): The Bulletproof Stockings!". Times of Israel. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Shire, Emily (September 30, 2014). "The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It's Ladies' Night for Hasidic Rockers". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "Down to the Top". Amazon. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Sara Trappler-Spielman (August 6, 2014). "Hasidic 'Rocker Chicks' Bulletproof Stockings Seek Broader Audience". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  6. ^ Ohlheiser, Abby (August 8, 2014). "Here's what happens when an all-female Hasidic rock band bans men from its audience". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  7. ^ Euse, Erica (August 29, 2014). "Hasidic Rock Band Bulletproof Stockings Just Want an All Girl Party". VICE. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  8. ^ "Bulletproof Stockings's First Full Length Album". Kickstarter. 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Dreyfus, Hannah (March 9, 2015). "Chasidic Female Rock Band Kickstart First Album". The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Raphael Poch (December 31, 2015). "Hassidic girl rock band makes waves across US". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Victoria Irwin (October 6, 2015). "Bulletproof Stockings Announces Winter Tour". Fangirlnation. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Tess Cutler (December 10, 2015). "Bulletproof Rock". Tablet. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  13. ^ "Dearest fans, friends and family..." Facebook. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  14. ^ Tabachnick, Toby (August 2012). "Indie band Bulletproof Stockings refreshingly original". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  15. ^ Antoaneta Roussi (December 24, 2015). "Bulletproof Stockings, World's First All-Female Hasidic Rock Band, Gets Debut Album". The Forward. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Osgood, Kelsey (December 10, 2012). "Abrahamic Rockers". The New Yorker. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  17. ^ Marsh, Julia (October 2012). "Hasidic girl band Bulletproof Stockings lights up Crown Heights". New York Post. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
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