Stereo Embers The Podcast 0335: Debora Iyall (Romeo Void)

“Never Say Never”

Formed by classmates at the Art Institute in San Francisco at the sunset of the 70s, Romeo Void were one of the most dynamic, inventive and singular outfits around. Fronted by singer Debora Iyall, the classic Romeo Void lineup was Iyall on vocals, Peter Woods on guitar, bassist Frank Zincavage, saxophonist Benjamin Bossi and drummer Aaron Smith. They toured nationally, had fans that ranged from Ric Ocasek of the Cars to Ann Wilson of Heart and they signed to a major label. Things were happening. The band put out three perfect and critically acclaimed albums—It’s a Condition, Benefactor and Instincts–before calling it a day in 1984. A captivating singer, Iyall had the street mart snarl of Jim Carroll and the poetic finesse of Patti Smith and she inhabited each number with strength, vulnerably and wisdom. The songs were frank and honest and their post-punk purity and new wave muscle still sounds as vital today as it did back then. And if you want to check to see if I’m right—the band has just put out LIVE FROM MABUHAY GARDENS: NOVEMBER 14, 1980, THE BAND’S FIRST OFFICIAL LIVE ALBUM. This is a searing eleven song set that’s dynamic, urgent and rippling with power.

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