(Article was previously published in My City Magazine.)
“I’m actually a pretty fiery individual.”
When asked
if she was an angry person, that’s how Tiff Tantrum described herself.
“I focus on happiness and
being positive now. I do still get angry, but I direct it all into my music
now, so that when dealing with the individuals or situations that angered me......I
can just smile and treat them the same as I would anybody else. With love.”
And that answer was given,
by the way, without even mentioning Tantrum’s name.
“I really like No Anger Control,” was another
don’t-think-just-answer quip from Robert Childers at Snug Harbor.
Even with all the fans coming out and the support of her friends, Tantrum still can’t seem to believe her luck.
“Honestly, it's still hard to wrap my head around comments like these. I always get embarrassed when my friends tell people we have just met to check my band out or that we are awesome. I guess I will always see myself as just another person in the crowd, enjoying the music, and sometimes being lucky enough to be the one making the music.”
Described by friends as “an
amazing lady with a big heart” one of the most surprising things to learn about
Tantrum might be that she has earned a Child Development degree, interned at Wake Medical Center as a student and
has a day job as a nanny here in Charlotte.
“To see her get up on stage and belt those lyrics like she owns that stage! I have never met anyone like her before!” says fan and close friend, Sarah Reinhart, who books shows for The Common Market.
For a woman that has been playing music in various bands and on many stages for the past twelve years, the ultimate goal would appear to be a major label contract or national tour. With influences ranging from The Ramones and The Cramps to David Bowie and The Psychedelic Furs, big-time success would appear to be on the agenda.
“I used to want fame. To be known by everyone, everywhere. I wanted to literally spend my life touring and creating new music. I can still tour and create new music without being famous though. I think now I just want to have fun, to spend time creating incredible music with my bandmates, to learn from their talent, and to grow from all of these experiences. I am very lucky to be working with some very gifted guys, and writing and working with them is amazing.”
And that talent is, in fact, amazing. But the stand-out ferocity of Tantrum can’t be denied in the band’s live shows. It’s ironic that a performer who sees herself as a “nerd on stage like Joey Ramone” could bring forth the kind of power needed for songs like “Mom’s Basement” and “Slut Shaming” on their self-titled first album.
“I once mentioned that I wanted to become famous by talent, and not by how much skin I could show off. I had somebody tell me I was a slut shamer for saying this, and it angered me. I have never had a problem with how others live their lives, and in that statement I spoke of nobody but myself. I figured if I don't care how you live your life, than you shouldn't have a problem with how I want to live mine either. Unfortunately people will find any reason to get angry at you, so I bit my tongue, and wrote a song instead. If that person were to ever show up at a show; I would secretly be smiling when I sang that song.”
Even though Tantrum may be enjoying telling someone off in a song, no one could deny her sweet nature off the stage as evidenced by her swath of friends and supporters. Particularly, female supporters in other bands or who see No Anger Control’s shows and become instant fans.
“The women in Charlotte are
incredible! I have never felt any competition, and constantly feel like I have
nothing but support. I have had many females approach me out at our shows, or
just at shows in general, to let me know that I'm inspiring. I have actually
been told before that seeing me on stage allows other females to feel like they
can be in a band too, particularly punk.”
"When it comes to women in
the music scene I get so pumped,” says Reinhart. “’F*** yeah, girl power!’ is what runs through my head when I see
females make a huge impression in the punk scene. It melts my heart and makes
me so proud.”
But Tantrum and No Anger Control have plenty of male friends
and fans too. And Tantrum says “I’m out
there for everybody.”
Even with all the anger, sweat and sleeping on floors, Tantrum’s positivity and energy just can’t be tamped down. Maybe it's all that nanny sweetness in her downtime.
“I'm very blessed. I guess if anything I just want to be remembered. I just want to make a difference to somebody, even if it's just one person. I'm just happy to be able to be in a band. It's the best thing I ever did for myself, having the guts to pick up that mic and sing in front of people. I don't think I'll ever stop.”
“I’m actually a pretty fiery individual.”
For a person
who labels herself as the singer and “screamer” for a local Charlotte punk band
called No Anger Control the quick assumption would be one of the angry
female. But after talking with Tantrum’s
friends and fans and with Tantrum herself, that assumption would be quickly
squelched.
Fronted by Tantrum on
vocals, Levi Erickson on guitar, Jason Damiano on bass and John Pppppp on drums
No Anger Control is a punk rock band with a lot of buzz in the underground
music scene of Charlotte playing at venues like The Chop Shop, various clubs in
the Plaza Midwood neighborhood and recently taking part in the 8th
Annual Punk Rock Picnic at Tremont Music Hall.
When asked about women in
the local music scene, Mark Lynch of the band, The Chalkies, had this quick
response, “do you have a specific question or should I just tell you how great
Tiff Tantrum of No Anger Control is?”
Even with all the fans coming out and the support of her friends, Tantrum still can’t seem to believe her luck.
“Honestly, it's still hard to wrap my head around comments like these. I always get embarrassed when my friends tell people we have just met to check my band out or that we are awesome. I guess I will always see myself as just another person in the crowd, enjoying the music, and sometimes being lucky enough to be the one making the music.”
 |
| Tantrum on stage. Photo by Gene Lazo. |
“To see her get up on stage and belt those lyrics like she owns that stage! I have never met anyone like her before!” says fan and close friend, Sarah Reinhart, who books shows for The Common Market.
For a woman that has been playing music in various bands and on many stages for the past twelve years, the ultimate goal would appear to be a major label contract or national tour. With influences ranging from The Ramones and The Cramps to David Bowie and The Psychedelic Furs, big-time success would appear to be on the agenda.
“I used to want fame. To be known by everyone, everywhere. I wanted to literally spend my life touring and creating new music. I can still tour and create new music without being famous though. I think now I just want to have fun, to spend time creating incredible music with my bandmates, to learn from their talent, and to grow from all of these experiences. I am very lucky to be working with some very gifted guys, and writing and working with them is amazing.”
And that talent is, in fact, amazing. But the stand-out ferocity of Tantrum can’t be denied in the band’s live shows. It’s ironic that a performer who sees herself as a “nerd on stage like Joey Ramone” could bring forth the kind of power needed for songs like “Mom’s Basement” and “Slut Shaming” on their self-titled first album.
“I once mentioned that I wanted to become famous by talent, and not by how much skin I could show off. I had somebody tell me I was a slut shamer for saying this, and it angered me. I have never had a problem with how others live their lives, and in that statement I spoke of nobody but myself. I figured if I don't care how you live your life, than you shouldn't have a problem with how I want to live mine either. Unfortunately people will find any reason to get angry at you, so I bit my tongue, and wrote a song instead. If that person were to ever show up at a show; I would secretly be smiling when I sang that song.”
Even though Tantrum may be enjoying telling someone off in a song, no one could deny her sweet nature off the stage as evidenced by her swath of friends and supporters. Particularly, female supporters in other bands or who see No Anger Control’s shows and become instant fans.
 |
| Tantrum with Felly Castelow of Smelly Felly. Pic by Elizabeth Perkins. |
According
to Mike Benson, a long-time rock guitarist in bands like 1three4, Queen City
Rejects and From the Gun, “Tiff is like a caged animal pacing the stage, ready
to pounce, while the band blares out riff after riff of punk rock mayhem. Then,
out of nowhere, she attacks!”
Maybe what makes Tantrum such a great performer is that she’s such a big fan herself. “If anything, I just know I love music, and will get my hands on more local bands’ stuff and touring bands’ stuff nowadays before ever going for "bigger" bands. I want to hear the dirty, underground, hardworking, blood sweating, sleeping on floors kind of bands.”
Maybe what makes Tantrum such a great performer is that she’s such a big fan herself. “If anything, I just know I love music, and will get my hands on more local bands’ stuff and touring bands’ stuff nowadays before ever going for "bigger" bands. I want to hear the dirty, underground, hardworking, blood sweating, sleeping on floors kind of bands.”
Even with all the anger, sweat and sleeping on floors, Tantrum’s positivity and energy just can’t be tamped down. Maybe it's all that nanny sweetness in her downtime.
“I'm very blessed. I guess if anything I just want to be remembered. I just want to make a difference to somebody, even if it's just one person. I'm just happy to be able to be in a band. It's the best thing I ever did for myself, having the guts to pick up that mic and sing in front of people. I don't think I'll ever stop.”