Brassy (band)
Brassy were an English rock/hip hop band active between 1994 and 2003 featuring American singer Muffin Spencer, younger sister of Jon Spencer (of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), as lead vocalist.
History
Spencer had formerly been the lead singer with The Exuberants. She relocated to the UK and formed Brassy in Manchester. Other members of the band were Stefan Gordon (guitar), Karen Frost (bass guitar, vocals), and Jonny Barrington (aka DJ Swett, drums). Influenced by The Smiths, their early material also drew comparisons with Elastica. Later they incorporated hip hop and punk rock influences and were compared to Beastie Boys, Plasmatics and Biz Markie.
Their earliest material was released on the Costermonger label (home to Gene). The band found favour with John Peel for whom they recorded a radio session in June 1996, with a return visit in May 2000. With financial difficulties affecting Costermonger they moved on to Wiiija where they released their debut album Got It Made in 2000. Their 2000 track "Play Some D" was re-released in 2003 after it was used in the 'hellomoto' ad campaign by Motorola, leading to renewed interest in the band, and the recording of a second album, Gettin Wise. Gettin Wise received a mixed response from critics, and proved to be their final album, with the band members all finding themselves in debt after recording it.
