Melanie Vammen: Full Life Interview

In this oral history, Melanie Vammen discusses growing up in the mod scene of LA. She talks about how her family supported her entry into music, getting her first electric guitar, and joining the Pandoras. Vammen delves into the experience of being one of the first all girl bands to sign with a major label, leaving the Pandoras, and starting the Muffs. She also talks about reuniting with her best friend Kim Shuttack. The interview concludes with her thoughts on gender in the music industry, parenting, and her greatest accomplishments. Melanie Vammen is a bassist, guitarist, and keyboardist who is most well known for founding the Muffs. She also played with the Pandoras, the Leaving Trains, and White Flag. She currently lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and two children. Learn more at: WomenofRock.org Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College—one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history. #rock #punk #interview #music #history