Interview with NWoBHM Legends Girlschool vocalist/guitarist Kim McAuliffe
Cosmick View: Hello, Kim! Welcome to The Cosmick View! Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It’s greatly appreciated.
Kim McAuliffe: It feels a bit unreal to be honest. If you d have told us in 1981 that we would still be at it in 2026. We would have thought you were nuts!
Reading Festival is still one of the highlights of our career.
CV: Plus, Girlschool is set to release a total of five archival live albums. Do you feel the recorded live performances capture something unique to the band that isn’t found in the studio records?
KA: Well in the old days (ha ha!) with Vic - before all this digital stuff was invented - we always recorded as live - playing altogether in the studio.
None of this click track nonsense - Vic was just interested if the take had a good feel.
So yeah I think it has always suited the band.
CV: After all these years, is there a different approach to live performing than how the band tackled it back in 1981? Does it still hold the same excitement and mystery for you?
KA: No not really - we still just get up there and go for it!
Of course it's still fun otherwise we wouldn't bloody do it ha ha!
CV: Given all the distractions with today’s lifestyles, do you feel modern music audiences are often not as present and engaged as they once were at live concerts?
KA: Well not having a smart phone myself - I refuse to - I still wouldn't dream of filming a gig and missing out on the actual bloody experience!
Also You can t get away with anything these days without getting filmed!
CV: Many artists want to give their concert-going fans the biggest bang for the buck, creating a memorable spectacle of a show. However, critics today feel more energy is spent on the theatrics of the show than on the music itself, even prompting some artists to utilize backing tracks. How does Girlschool maintain such a high standard of both music and visual delivery? Is there a trick to keeping things balanced ?
KA: I think the whole miming thing and using backing tracks is shocking but when seeing other bands I do like a bit of a show ‘tho.
These days I'm afraid you just get us as we are!
CV: Over the years, a lot of noise has been made about “Rock being dead,” suggesting that music today is missing substance and emotional connectivity. With Girlschool maintaining a regular touring schedule, do you feel there is any merit to this type of sentiment, and would such a concern be more of an artist issue with how they write or an audience issue on how they choose to listen?
KA: Rock has never been dead and never will be. Over the years it has gone a bit out of fashion - not a bad thing - but is now stronger than ever.
As our manager Giles is always bloody saying... "Keep Rock Alive!"
CV: Times have greatly changed, especially in the music world. What do you feel is the biggest boundary an artist can push these days giving them an edge?KA: Yeah things have changed a hell of a lot since we began.
I really have no solutions or advice except to say -as we always have-
If you really want it you just have to go for it!
I'm just so pleased that we had our career when we did.
It's so much harder now for bands.
CV: Even with many of the ups and downs and ins and outs associated with having a professional music career, what do you believe being in music gave you that no other career path would have?
KA: Yeah there have been many ups and downs mainly ups thank goodness! But what a bloody amazing life music has given our band!
CV: In addition to the new live single, what more can fans expect to see coming from Girlschool as the new year quickly approaches?
KM: Well we’re getting ready to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2028 with a new album and all sorts of who knows what!
CV: Thanks again, Kim, for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.
Check out Girlschool at:
Official: http://girlschool.co.uk
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, author, show host, big dreamer & guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice & a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books & now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar & showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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