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"I was really inspired by the old Hayley Mills movie The Parent Trap', Ms. Rumbol explains. 'When I saw Hayley Mills playing the guitar, I knew that was what I wanted to do." Ms. Rumbol has since strayed away from the wholesome image Ms. Mills portrayed in the movie. Make no mistake: the Suburban Wives Club goes to great lengths to maintain a “tough" image. "I wear leotards, high boots.. and leather jackets on stage,” Ms. Rumbol says. The Suburban Wives Club is a high-energy, new wave, all-women trio. In addition to bass guitarist Cherie Rumbol, the group consists of drummer Ann Francis and lead guitarist Reesa Marchetti. Ms. Marchetti, the only married member of the band, thought up the name for the group as a gimmick. All of the members maintain day jobs. Ms. Marchetti delivers singing mailgrams, while Ms. Francis recently started her own newspaper. Their music is a blend of original songs, like their current single, “Casual Cat at a Laundromat” and 1960's standards. The group's own songs are humorous ballads that suburban housewives easily understand. "We always perform our original songs, 'Fat Thighs' and 'Chocolate Freak-Out,' ” Ms. Rumbol says. “These songs reinforce our image as ‘runaway housewives.’ " A native of Gloucester City, New Jersey, Ms. Rumbol recently purchased a house in Pitman, New Jersey, with money earned working part-time at Caesars. Before joining the Suburban Wives Club, Ms. Rumbol worked with Ms. Marchetti in Reesa arid the Rooters, which featured male and female musicians. Ms. Marchetti also organized the current group. "Suburban Wives Club came to Reesa out of nowhere," Ms. Rumbol recalls. "It's been a tremendous help in getting us publicity." The group was featured on TV's "Evening Magazine" last month, and recently taped a segment for WPVI-TV's "Prime Time" show. Their tunes have received raves from the Philadelphia Inquirer, and several other newspapers. Since she's never been married. Ms. Rumbol admits that she doesn't really relate to the group's namesake. “That's OK, though," she says, "as long as it get us publicity and jobs." The Suburban Wives Club has played in numerous nightclubs in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Rhode Island, Maryland, and at Blondie's in Pleasantville. They are now hoping for a record contract on a major label. An all-women band has its advantages and disadvantages, Ms. Rumbol explains. They are a novelty which helps the group get jobs, but it also encourages hecklers in the audience. “We get hecklers. But we handle them well," Ms. Rumbol notes “We embarrass them good-naturedly." Ms. Rumbol describes the group as "basic rock.” Her favorite band is Foreigner, not The Go-Gos, but she admits that her group must resemble the more famous all-women bands because it’s expected of them. Ms. Rumbol feels confident that the Suburban Wives Club will be successful, even if it takes a few years.
by Rosalyn Lifshin
Cherie is willing to work hard at her music career and to let the chips fall where they may |
"I
feel we have something special here," she says, "and with a lot of work and
some luck, we'll make it."
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