05/11/2023
We have probably played more shows with The Bad Ideas than any other band. Whether it was in town or on the road, we were thick as thieves for a while. A large part of Red Kate’s success and longevity can be attributed to that time. Britt and Dawn introduced us to younger fans of punk and rock and roll that we had yet to find ourselves. Shows with them were always fun and unpredictable. They made people move, react, get involved, whether it was for their set or the other bands’. None of the jaded, arms folded, too cool for school nonsense was allowed when The Bad Ideas were on the bill. Sure, they started out rough, but the passion and commitment were always there, so the improvement was constant and fast. By the time George came on board, you could really start to see what the band was capable of. Britt’s sideways guitar riffs, a product of being self-taught and unconstrained by formal training, just got weirder and more kickass. Dawn came into her own as a front person, commanding the audience’s attention better than frontmen twice her stature. You didn’t passively attend a Bad Ideas show. You were either in the middle of it, or you left. And pity on those few who would leave because when this band was on, they could spin your fu***ng head around.
The Bad Ideas pushed us to be a better band, to write harder, faster, weirder songs, to take more risks, and to remember why we started doing this in the first place. Britt, in particular, pushed us to keep going when various obstacles prompted thoughts of hanging it up. (Hell, her never-say-die spirit was influential inspiration for starting Black Site). She hooked us up with touring bands she knew we’d like. She connected us to promoters and clubs in other towns. She showed a bunch of cynical Gen X punks that there was still a DIY scene out there full of “kids” who liked punk rock music. But it wasn’t just us; she helped everyone. It’s been noted by others many times already, but it bears repeating, Britt was genuinely nice to everyone (even sometimes to those who probably didn’t deserve it). She was an inscrutably ethical booker at a time when that couldn’t be said about all DIY bookers in this town. As a true lover of rock and roll, her open-minded, welcoming nature fit the highest ideals of punk rock. None of that "house punk" vs. "bar punk" elitist bu****it with Britt. It was about building a bigger, better, more inclusive music culture, not walling it off for the hip or the holier than thou. Everyone deserved a chance and a seat at the table when Britt was involved.
Much more could be written by others who knew her better in recent years, so I’ll let them. But this is what I know.
Britt, you made this band better; you made your friends and family better; you made the music scene better. For that, we’re forever grateful. And while we’ll all be worse off now that you’re gone, it’s up to the rest of us to carry on your spirit and continue building the community that we want to see.
Have all the fun, Rocker. Catch you on the flip side.