The Papsmears

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Papsmears


Img_capt = Left to Right: Fiona Axelsson, Terra Stevenson, Jodi Dunlop, Jordan Dunlop
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Gimli, Manitoba, Canada
Genre = Punk rock Pop-Punk
Years_active = 2002 – Present
Label = Independent
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/thepapsmears/ www.myspace.com/thepapsmears]
Current_members = Terra Stevenson, Jodi Dunlop, Jordan Dunlop, Fiona Axelsson
Past_members = Laurie Lamb

The Papsmears are a four-piece, all girl punk band from Gimli, Manitoba. The band consists of Terra Stevenson (lead vocals), fraternal twin sisters Jodi Dunlop (Drums) and Jordan Dunlop (Lead Guitar), and Fiona Axelsson (Bass, Backup Vocals). They are currently working on their second studio EP as a follow up to their 2007 release Love Chords.

History

Early Years

The band was first formed in 2002 by the Dunlop sisters and bassist Axelsson, under the name "Forward", when the 3 girls were all aged 12, only in Grade 7. They had no vocalist at the time and none of the girls wanted to sing, so they remained an instrumental group for a period of time. In 2006 the group was renamed The Papsmears with the addition of vocalist Laurie Lamb. Axelsson said in 2008 in an interview "How we knew about Pap smears in eighth grade I don't know," [cite web
url = http://www.uptownmag.com/2008-03-20/page1909.aspx
title = Power Pop for Now People
author = Don Beat
publisher = Uptown Magazine Online
date = 2008-03-20
accessdate = 2008-04-16]

Love Chords

In April of 2007, the girls went into the studio with world famous studio engineer Ron Obvious. Over the period of two months, The Paps recorded a total of 4 songs at the "Aspire Theatre" and The Dressing Room Studio for their debut EP, Love Chords. The CD was released at a party at the Aspire Theatre in Gimli over two nights, the first night being mostly for a more adult crowd, and the second night being for a younger, generally 25 and under crowd that was much more rowdy. The girls had special permission from many bar and club owners as well as their parents to start playing shows in 18+ establishments around Manitoba, mostly in the city of Winnipeg. They gained popularity quickly and grew a cult following, especially in the Interlake area where the were based.

Vocalist Change/Second EP

Near the end of the year 2007, the band parted ways with singer Laurie Lamb, citing musical differences as the problem. The Papsmears quickly found a new frontwoman in the form of Terra Stevenson, a singer from Winnipeg with several credits to her name, including a successful audition on Canadian Idol which lead her to the second round. Joining the band was a welcome change for Terra, who has been noted as saying she was tired of being in bands with guys because girls were so much neater and more organized. The band is currently in the process of their second EP, once again with Ron Obvious as their producer. Currently the EP is unnamed, but Axelsson hinted in a recent interview that the band was leaning towards calling it "One More Time Girls", which is also one of the known track names.

Discography

*"Love Chords" - July 12, 2007 (independently released)
*"The Papsmears Second EP" - still unreleased, presumably in the summer of 2008

Rerefences

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/thepapsmears The Papsmears on Myspace]
* [http://www.thepapsmears.com Official Site]