There comes a time in every rock chicks life when even the most badass of the bunch needs a little refresher course on self-empowerment and simple life maintenance like properly preparing absinthe. Enter the new book from entertainment journalist and rocker wife Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna, titled Cherry Bomb: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Flirt, a Tougher Chick, and a Hotter Girlfriend, and to Living Life Like a Rock Star.
With chapters on Tour Bus Etiquette, Bottle Service and Infidelity Pacts, Borzillo-Vrenna flips the idea of a girl guide head over spiked heels and delivers an encyclopedia of awesomeness for gals who arent afraid to take life into their own hands and live by their own rules. Cherry Bomb also features contributions, advice and tips from Tori Amos, Dita Von Teese, Betsey Johnson, Kat Von D and our very own NicoleLee Suicide, among others.
SuicideGirls had to get the scoop because, as Carrie would say, Admit it. Wed all like to be just a little bit cooler.
Cherry Bomb is out now. Buy it here.
Erin Broadley: Lets start by talking about why you wrote this book. What do you think is important for other women to absorb and take away with them after reading it? Its fun but there's also a lot of serious advice and messages about believing in yourself and living life to its fullest. Do you think these messages get mixed and/or lost in the bombardment of mainstream media?
Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna: I kept coming across girl guides and they started pissing me off. A lot of them had pink covers and dished out generic advice to the everywoman as if all girls or women think the same, want the same thing, and need the same advice. I never came across a book that spoke to me and my friends. So, I wanted to dish out some alternative advice to girls like me girls who are a bit edgier, a bit darker, a bit left of center, and a bit more wild. But in doing so, I found myself still maintaining a nice girl attitude. You dont have to be a bitch to be a strong, fierce, cool chick and that is the underlying message in the book. Sure, theres a lot of sex, drugs and rock and roll in the book, but its really about feeling strong and confident and getting what you want out of life whether its a backstage pass or a cool new job.
EB: Tell us a little bit about your background as a female rock journalist.
CBV: Ive been a rock journalist since age 17 when I covered local bands in Connecticut for free fanzines. Since then, Ive worked for or written for Billboard, Spin, Rollingstone.com, People, Us Weekly, Alternative Press, and others. Balancing having fun in the industry and being respected was the biggest challenge.
EB: What are some of the experiences you have had as a woman in the field that informed the chapters in this book?
CBV: Ive pretty much done everything in the book, except for a few fetishes, tattoos, and piercings. For the areas I didnt live and breathe, I called in the experts. But its mostly a culmination of my experiences for the past 20 years being an entertainment journalist, author, rock wife, and just living it.
EB: Any particular challenges or funny anecdotes stand out you'd care to share?
CBV: I dont remember writing the first chapter in the book, the chapter on absinthe, because, well, I was drunk on absinthe that day.
EB: Are you still working as a journalist or has your focus shifted to books?
CBV: Im trying to balance the two because I LOVE magazines but its really hard to write a book AND freelance at the same time. I have to say, after doing this book all I can think about is my next book.
EB: How did you go about selecting the awesome contributors to Cherry Bomb?
CBV: I had my wish list and then I wrote everyone a love letter explaining why they are perfect for the book and simply couldnt say no. Thank God, they obliged! (I dont believe in God, by the way, but there isnt a good alternative for that feeling yet, is there?)
EB: You make a point in the book that women dont have to use their bodies to barter their way backstage... that they dont have to be whores to hang out with their favorite band. Why do you think so many chicks do take the whore route? Needing to feel "special"? Lack of creativity?
CBV: Let me first say that Im actually not against women using their bodies for anything. I truly believe prostitution should be legal and that porn stars get a bad rap. But, thats a different book. For Cherry Bomb, I wanted to show girls how to get what they want the smart way. And, that being cool is better than being slutty any day.
EB: What was your favorite band growing up? Any creative ways you ever snuck backstage?
CBV: Where do I start?! In grade school I loved the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and the Grease soundtrack. I moved onto AC/DC and Judas Priest and then Im embarrassed to say, hair bands in the 80s. The 90s were all about everything from Nirvana to Marilyn Manson to Radiohead. As for sneaking backstage, I snuck backstage at an Iron Maiden concert by asking the security guard to please let me in so I can get an autograph. He did and I still have that signed Heineken beer bottle today.
EB: I love the Anas Nin quote in Cherry Bomb, "Good things happen to those who hustle." What are some tips to stay motivated and inspired?
CBV: Try to accomplish something every day. You might not always be inspired, so dont wait for that to come. Even if youre just not feeling it, try to be productive in some way every day.
EB: How did you meet NicoleLee Suicide and what was it like working together on this book for the chapter on piercings?
CBV: I met her through her husband who manages the band A.I., who my husband worked with. Weve become great friends with A.I. and in turn with Nicole and Kyle. She rocked her chapter on piercings. I dont have any myself, so it was nice to have an expert like her chime in.
EB: What do you think the most obvious but most overlooked tip is to becoming a radder chick and living life like a rock star?
CBV: Dont be afraid to make a fool of yourself or have others judge you. If you care about what others think, youll never feel comfortable being yourself.
Book Signings:
You are invited to a Book Signing, Celebration, & Art Show with CHERRY BOMB author Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna & the books illustrator Liz Adams.
Cherry-flavored libations & nibbly bits will be served. 3-7 p.m. RSVP: CherryBombBook@gmail.com
August 9 2008 Book Signing/Art Show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90027. Cost : Free
August 16 2008 Book Signing/Art Show at Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California 90232. Cost : Free
With chapters on Tour Bus Etiquette, Bottle Service and Infidelity Pacts, Borzillo-Vrenna flips the idea of a girl guide head over spiked heels and delivers an encyclopedia of awesomeness for gals who arent afraid to take life into their own hands and live by their own rules. Cherry Bomb also features contributions, advice and tips from Tori Amos, Dita Von Teese, Betsey Johnson, Kat Von D and our very own NicoleLee Suicide, among others.
SuicideGirls had to get the scoop because, as Carrie would say, Admit it. Wed all like to be just a little bit cooler.
Cherry Bomb is out now. Buy it here.
Erin Broadley: Lets start by talking about why you wrote this book. What do you think is important for other women to absorb and take away with them after reading it? Its fun but there's also a lot of serious advice and messages about believing in yourself and living life to its fullest. Do you think these messages get mixed and/or lost in the bombardment of mainstream media?
Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna: I kept coming across girl guides and they started pissing me off. A lot of them had pink covers and dished out generic advice to the everywoman as if all girls or women think the same, want the same thing, and need the same advice. I never came across a book that spoke to me and my friends. So, I wanted to dish out some alternative advice to girls like me girls who are a bit edgier, a bit darker, a bit left of center, and a bit more wild. But in doing so, I found myself still maintaining a nice girl attitude. You dont have to be a bitch to be a strong, fierce, cool chick and that is the underlying message in the book. Sure, theres a lot of sex, drugs and rock and roll in the book, but its really about feeling strong and confident and getting what you want out of life whether its a backstage pass or a cool new job.
EB: Tell us a little bit about your background as a female rock journalist.
CBV: Ive been a rock journalist since age 17 when I covered local bands in Connecticut for free fanzines. Since then, Ive worked for or written for Billboard, Spin, Rollingstone.com, People, Us Weekly, Alternative Press, and others. Balancing having fun in the industry and being respected was the biggest challenge.
EB: What are some of the experiences you have had as a woman in the field that informed the chapters in this book?
CBV: Ive pretty much done everything in the book, except for a few fetishes, tattoos, and piercings. For the areas I didnt live and breathe, I called in the experts. But its mostly a culmination of my experiences for the past 20 years being an entertainment journalist, author, rock wife, and just living it.
EB: Any particular challenges or funny anecdotes stand out you'd care to share?
CBV: I dont remember writing the first chapter in the book, the chapter on absinthe, because, well, I was drunk on absinthe that day.
EB: Are you still working as a journalist or has your focus shifted to books?
CBV: Im trying to balance the two because I LOVE magazines but its really hard to write a book AND freelance at the same time. I have to say, after doing this book all I can think about is my next book.
EB: How did you go about selecting the awesome contributors to Cherry Bomb?
CBV: I had my wish list and then I wrote everyone a love letter explaining why they are perfect for the book and simply couldnt say no. Thank God, they obliged! (I dont believe in God, by the way, but there isnt a good alternative for that feeling yet, is there?)
EB: You make a point in the book that women dont have to use their bodies to barter their way backstage... that they dont have to be whores to hang out with their favorite band. Why do you think so many chicks do take the whore route? Needing to feel "special"? Lack of creativity?
CBV: Let me first say that Im actually not against women using their bodies for anything. I truly believe prostitution should be legal and that porn stars get a bad rap. But, thats a different book. For Cherry Bomb, I wanted to show girls how to get what they want the smart way. And, that being cool is better than being slutty any day.
EB: What was your favorite band growing up? Any creative ways you ever snuck backstage?
CBV: Where do I start?! In grade school I loved the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and the Grease soundtrack. I moved onto AC/DC and Judas Priest and then Im embarrassed to say, hair bands in the 80s. The 90s were all about everything from Nirvana to Marilyn Manson to Radiohead. As for sneaking backstage, I snuck backstage at an Iron Maiden concert by asking the security guard to please let me in so I can get an autograph. He did and I still have that signed Heineken beer bottle today.
EB: I love the Anas Nin quote in Cherry Bomb, "Good things happen to those who hustle." What are some tips to stay motivated and inspired?
CBV: Try to accomplish something every day. You might not always be inspired, so dont wait for that to come. Even if youre just not feeling it, try to be productive in some way every day.
EB: How did you meet NicoleLee Suicide and what was it like working together on this book for the chapter on piercings?
CBV: I met her through her husband who manages the band A.I., who my husband worked with. Weve become great friends with A.I. and in turn with Nicole and Kyle. She rocked her chapter on piercings. I dont have any myself, so it was nice to have an expert like her chime in.
EB: What do you think the most obvious but most overlooked tip is to becoming a radder chick and living life like a rock star?
CBV: Dont be afraid to make a fool of yourself or have others judge you. If you care about what others think, youll never feel comfortable being yourself.
Book Signings:
You are invited to a Book Signing, Celebration, & Art Show with CHERRY BOMB author Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna & the books illustrator Liz Adams.
Cherry-flavored libations & nibbly bits will be served. 3-7 p.m. RSVP: CherryBombBook@gmail.com
August 9 2008 Book Signing/Art Show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90027. Cost : Free
August 16 2008 Book Signing/Art Show at Billy Shire Fine Arts, 5790 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California 90232. Cost : Free
VIEW 9 of 9 COMMENTS
lavenderrr:
WANT.
zerothdegree:
I read this book. Couldn't resist. Chris Vrenna's wife wrote a book! I had too. It was interesting. Obviously not meant for me to read, but interesting none the less. 