Debsey Wykes' Memoir Captures the Chaos of 80s Girl Power with Unflinching Honesty.
In her memoir Teenage Daydream, singer and bassist Debsey Wykes takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of forming an all-girl band in the early 1980s. Wykes recounts how Dolly Mixture's rambunctious energy, inspired by punk and girl groups, captivated critics like John Peel and NME, earning them spots opening for iconic acts like the Jam, Madness, and U2.
The band's story is one of perseverance in the face of sexism and financial hardship. Wykes chronicles their struggles with male executives who rejected their input, leading to a defiant decision to self-release an album instead. This bold move paved the way for future female-fronted bands, including riot grrrl.
Wykes' writing is infused with the devil-may-care optimism of adolescence, which led her and her bandmates, Rachel Bor and Hester Smith, to pursue music despite having little experience. The book is also filled with vivid depictions of their chaotic lifestyle, from living in cramped conditions to performing in front of hostile crowds.
However, some sections feel like they're stretching the narrative a bit too thin. Wykes often includes fan letters that don't add much to the story, disrupting the flow. Nevertheless, Teenage Daydream remains an essential read for anyone interested in the history of 80s girl power and the struggles faced by women in music.
The final chapter brings the book full circle as Wykes reunites with her old bandmates in Brighton, reflecting on their wild adventure and the lasting impact of Dolly Mixture's legacy. Despite not achieving mainstream success, they managed to stay friends and create a lasting influence on future generations of musicians.
Wykes' unwavering dedication to telling Dolly Mixture's story is a testament to the enduring power of 80s girl bands like no other. With unflinching honesty, Teenage Daydream offers an unforgettable glimpse into a bygone era of rebellion and creativity.
In her memoir Teenage Daydream, singer and bassist Debsey Wykes takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of forming an all-girl band in the early 1980s. Wykes recounts how Dolly Mixture's rambunctious energy, inspired by punk and girl groups, captivated critics like John Peel and NME, earning them spots opening for iconic acts like the Jam, Madness, and U2.
The band's story is one of perseverance in the face of sexism and financial hardship. Wykes chronicles their struggles with male executives who rejected their input, leading to a defiant decision to self-release an album instead. This bold move paved the way for future female-fronted bands, including riot grrrl.
Wykes' writing is infused with the devil-may-care optimism of adolescence, which led her and her bandmates, Rachel Bor and Hester Smith, to pursue music despite having little experience. The book is also filled with vivid depictions of their chaotic lifestyle, from living in cramped conditions to performing in front of hostile crowds.
However, some sections feel like they're stretching the narrative a bit too thin. Wykes often includes fan letters that don't add much to the story, disrupting the flow. Nevertheless, Teenage Daydream remains an essential read for anyone interested in the history of 80s girl power and the struggles faced by women in music.
The final chapter brings the book full circle as Wykes reunites with her old bandmates in Brighton, reflecting on their wild adventure and the lasting impact of Dolly Mixture's legacy. Despite not achieving mainstream success, they managed to stay friends and create a lasting influence on future generations of musicians.
Wykes' unwavering dedication to telling Dolly Mixture's story is a testament to the enduring power of 80s girl bands like no other. With unflinching honesty, Teenage Daydream offers an unforgettable glimpse into a bygone era of rebellion and creativity.
think about it like this, when Debsey Wykes' all-girl band Dolly Mixture faced those male executives who didn't want to give them a chance, they could've easily given up or compromised their art. but instead, they chose to self-release an album and take control of their own destiny 
it's not always easy to stand up for yourself, but sometimes that's exactly what you gotta do to create something truly remarkable 
their story is like a beacon of hope, proof that even when faced with sexism and financial struggles, you can still make your mark on the world 
and wykes' decision to self-release an album was like totally revolutionary for its time 
it's so inspiring to see how she and her bandmates held onto their vision despite all the obstacles in their way 
I'm not buying that this memoir is entirely accurate... or at least, she's not revealing the whole story 
. There are some pretty convenient coincidences with famous acts like U2 opening for her band, and it seems a bit too perfect to be true 
. Where are these fan letters coming from? Is Wykes trying to create a narrative that'll appeal to the '90s grunge crowd as well? Not buying it... need some actual sources before I start celebrating the legend of Dolly Mixture 
The part about self-releasing the album and rejecting male executives is just WOW what a bold move!! 
. Sure, some sections feel a bit thin but overall this book is SO worth reading 
The only thing I wish was different is a bit more editing to get rid of those extra fan letters, but overall it's an absolute must-read for anyone into 80s music history. The reunion chapter at the end is just perfect - it's so beautiful to see how Dolly Mixture's legacy lives on even if they didn't achieve mainstream success. 
. And what about all those fan letters she includes in the book? Just a bunch of BS to make her look like the victim, if you ask me 
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. The truth is always more complicated than what we're told, and I'm here to uncover it 
.
like, I thought I had bad adulting problems but girlz on tour got some real issues... and btw what's up with all these fan letters taking up space? felt like they were just there to pad the page 
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200 words is way too much to scroll through every time someone posts. It's like, I know I want all the deets but come on! How about just keeping it to 2-3 paragraphs max and we're good to go? 
!
. And can we talk about how bold they were to self-release an album? That's some serious trailblazing right there 
. My only gripe is that some sections feel a bit meandering, but overall, I think Teenage Daydream is a must-read for anyone who loves 80s music or just wants to learn more about the history of female-fronted bands 
they went through so much struggle in the music industry back in the 80s but still managed to create this iconic legacy