In my book, they’re a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll. However, their musical comedy is anything but Donnie & Marie when it comes to content. The REFORMED WHORES present bawdy, controversial material in the most warm, serene and inviting way imaginable. RW members Marie Cecile Anderson and Katy Frame are gifted not only with the voices of angels and envious writing ability, but they can also play the hell out of a musical instrument. Between them I’ve counted 8 instruments that they can ease beautiful music out of. Impressive! The duo sing the funniest and possibly dirtiest country tunes around that dabble in feminism, sexuality and sometimes politics. They’ve put out two albums, Ladies Don’t Spit and their new LP Don’t Beat Around The Bush: Songs That Hit The Spot, which had me giggling for days with tunes like Hump-A-Lot Bear and Eating Out. Reformed Whores have played The Improv in Atlanta, BAM in Brooklyn, The Meltdown in LA, Punch Line in SF, the NY Comedy Festival, Wild West Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest, Piccolo Spoleto, and the Charleston Comedy Festival at Theatre 99. The ladies will be headlining Zanie’s in St. Charles starting TOMORROW April 14th through April 16th. Get to know these gifted ladies a little more this minute! (WARNING: Some NSFW, foot-tapping melodies await you!)
COMEDY CAKE: How did you ladies find one another?
REFORMED WHORES: ’Twas fate really, if you believe in that kind of stuff! We met in Brooklyn at a party where we bonded over hors d’oeuvre and fancy cocktails. We talked for hours about boys, acting, and music and by the end of the night we had major girl crushes on each other. Marie said she played the uke and Katy the accordion, so they decided to start a band to continue their budding friendship.
CAKE: What’s the story behind the creation of the name “Reformed Whores?” Do you often make audiences blush?
RW: We love the name of our band!!! It plays with the double standards that women face sexually. We’re fighting against the notion that as a lady if you embrace your sexuality you’re considered a whore. We hope the name makes you blush and teaches you to respect us modern gals! ;)
CAKE: Girl power!
CAKE: Did you always wish to perform musical comedy?
MARIE: I sang in the church choir back home for 15 years. I’ve always loved music, especially gospel. It’s been fun to merge it with comedy since I love Hee-Haw and Flight of the Conchords so much!
KATY: I started out as a musical theatre nerd, but I’ve always loved Weird Al, Tenacious D and Flight of the Conchords. Musical comedy has turned out to be a great way to blend my love of comedy characters and music.
CAKE: How many instruments do you each play and which would you take with you if stranded on a desert island?
MARIE: I used to play the piano really well, but now I suck. I currently can play the ukulele, contra bass clarinet, harmonica, and coconuts. If on a desert island I’d be cool with just my coconuts!
KATY: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and I too played the piano for about 11 years before I picked up the accordion and the guitar and I dabble in the washboard. If I could only take one of those with me on a desert island it would be the washboard so I could keep my clothes clean and stay looking hot until I get rescued by a handsome sailor… Sorry, got lost in my favorite fantasy…
CAKE: You’re forgiven.
CAKE: What have been some of the inspirations behind the songs on your current LP “Don’t Beat Around The Bush?”
RW: Well, one of our favorite songs on the album, “Eating Out,” we wrote in direct response to the Garfunkel and Oates song “College Try.” Their song is about going down on a lady and how gross it is. We felt like that song was a pretty big dig on our lady parts, so we wanted to come back with a song that celebrated our bodies and didn’t crap on them.
CAKE: What was it like opening for the rock great Alice Cooper?
RW: Amazing! If you ever get to see him live do it! Even at 70, he knows how to rock out!
CAKE: Adding it to the bucket list this instant!
CAKE: Marie, can you tell us about your stint as a model on Dr. Oz. Inquiring minds must know!
MARIE: I hit rock bottom doing that job, but it paid well and I was on TV! Oh the jobs you’ll do in NYC as an actor to survive. It’s so much fun!
CAKE: We respect your fortitude.
CAKE: Katy, can you tell us about your most memorable moments studying Music & Dance at Barnard?
KATY: My most memorable moments came from the dance part of my major because I’m not a very good dancer. The dance department at Barnard is one of the best in the country and I basically weaseled my way in. I took choreography class with one girl that had come directly from the Russian School of Ballet and another girl who was in Alvin Ailey at the time. I was totally an imposter, but I loved every second of it!!!
CAKE: What are some musical comedy groups you currently admire?
RW: Adira Amran is one of our favorites. We also love our buddies Stuckey and Murray and though they’re not exactly a musical comedy group, we love Cocoon Dance Central!
CAKE: Can you tell us about your upcoming appearance on the second season of the series “Plant?”
RW: We’re thrilled to talk about this awesome project we got to act in! Our good friend Andrew Neilson wrote and directed this comedy web series/mockumentary about opening a church in NYC. Marie did the music for Season 2 and plays a series regular and Katy is featured wearing a badass unibrow and steals the show!
CAKE: What are you looking forward to the most headlining at Zanies St. Charles?
RW: Hanging out at the resort and filming funny things! We always have a blast together while on tour and Zanies knows we love Bud Light, so they’re preparing for our arrival!
CAKE: What is hands down your go-to dessert of choice and why?
RW: Cream Pies ;) We think you know why…
CAKE: Wink.
Mentions: Buy tickets for the Reformed Whores show in St. Charles HERE. Buy their album and get even more deets HERE.