Kevin Bronson on October 3rd, 2019

0

Kim Shattuck, the singer-guitarist of the Muffs is being remembered by bandmates, friends and admirers as a dynamo whose artistry, charisma and often-biting wit made her a beloved figure in the punk-rock scene, as well as a role model for two generations of female rockers who followed her.

Shattuck died Wednesday at age 56 after a two-year battle with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease).

“We are very sorry to announce the passing of our bandmate and dear friend Kim Shattuck,” Muffs Roy McDonald and Ronnie Barnett said in a statement. “Besides being a brilliant songwriter, rocking guitarist and singer/screamer extraordinaire, Kim was a true force of nature. While battling ALS, Kim produced our last album, overseeing every part of the record from tracking to artwork. She was our best friend and playing her songs was an honor. Goodbye Kimba. We love you more than we could ever say.”

Her passing came just before the Oct. 18 release of the Muffs’ first album in five years, “No Holiday.” Her label, Omnivore Recordings, said they were “devastated by the loss of our friend. … We’re thinking about all her friends and fans, especially her family and bandmates. Her creative fire will endure and inspire artists of tomorrow.”

In addition to the Muffs’ new release, Shattuck collaborated with Melanie Vammen (her bandmate in the Pandoras in the 1980s) and Palmyra Delran (the Friggs) in the Coolies, who this summer released a six-song EP (all of the proceeds from the release benefit the ALS Foundation). Shattuck also had a short stint as the Pixies bassist.

“She was a genuine musician, writer and performer who committed her life for the cause,” the Pixies wrote on Twitter. “She brought all of her life force to her endeavors and we are fortunate for her sharing some of that life force with us.”

Besides her songwriting and playing, Shattuck was known for her effervescent stage presence, babydoll dresses and a voice that careened from saccharine to a screech at seemingly a moment’s notice. “Was just remarking over the weekend how Kim has the best scream in the biz,” Tim Kasher of Cursive said via Twitter.

Added Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day: “She was always so cool and tough. All my interactions with her were great. She was one of my favorite songwriters. When we recorded ‘Dookie,’ we listened to the first Muffs record constantly. We will hear that rock ’n’ roll scream from heaven.”

Behind Shattuck’s big smile lay a toughness, warmth and sense of humor that those close to her treasured. Because of her illness, she wasn’t able to participate fully in the making of the new record, but she did helm it from the sidelines.

“Two years ago, Kim Shattuck called me up and asked if I’d want to play guitar on the next Muffs record because she could no longer play due to ALS,” said Adam Schary. “I agreed without hesitation. She wanted me to ‘be her hands.’ I was honored.

“Most people would give up in the face of death, but not Kim. Over the next year and a half, I watched her continue to work and create, even when she couldn’t physically. Her dedication was awe-inspiring. I’d record a guitar part and receive a note like ‘More Harrison!’ (like a more Beatles-y lead) or ‘It sounds like Adam is jacking off!’ She never gave up on her art. She was always funny. Always Kim. She was a true inspiration in so many ways.”

||| Stream: The new song “A Lovely Day Boo Hoo”

Her moxie was never questioned. A friend, writing on Instagram, told of visiting her a year ago. “Her vivaciousness shone through even though she was only able to communicate through typing with her eyes. I doubt I could ever be as brave as her. Of course, she typed dick jokes (among other things). I remember a couple years ago I was struggling with various things and talking to her about it. She said, ‘You’ll be okay because you’re you.’ What a simple but fantastic thing to say and it really stuck with me.”

A Muffs fan remembered a concert from the ’90s when a boorish fan kept grabbing aggressively at her legs. Finally, “she reached under her skirt, grabbed her menstrual pad and slapped him across the head and face with it,” the fan said.

Writing on Facebook, Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo called Shattuck “one of my all-time great inspirations, first in music and then in real life,” adding “I fell under her spell when I saw her practically launching from the rafters, shredding both her guitar and vocal cords when the Muffs played downstairs at the Middle East in ’94. I’ve never seen a band so explosive.

“Letters to Cleo kinda worshiped the Muffs. We followed them around, covered their songs on tour, talked about them in interviews, even gushing about their influence on MTV when we hosted ‘120 Minutes.’ One time, we got to a gig somewhere in Connecticut and were excited to see an interview with the Muffs in a local zine. In it, Kim was asked about us and she called us ‘A Muffs cover band.’

“We couldn’t really be upset, because: a) she was not totally wrong; b) respect for the dick-swinging smack talk (so on-brand for Kim); and c) holy shit Kim Shattuck knows who we are!!!!!”

Hanley added: “Over the next few years of traveling in similar music circles, we became friends and allies. When I was trying to get sober, having strong, smart, ballsy women like Kim blazing a path for me to follow literally saved my life.”

Another L.A. band influenced by the Muffs were the Dollyrots. “Beyond speechless right now with this news,” Kelly Ogden wrote. “Kim, thank you for being our big sister in the scene, for always supporting our art, for singing on our records and playing shows together. … Everyone, play your Muffs records tonight.”

Brandon Jay (Quazar and the Bamboozled, The 88) filled in on drums for one brief Muffs tour and wrote: “Kim, I’m so sorry you had to suffer through ALS. I’m glad you’re with the angels now and would love to see the looks on their faces when you hit ’em with your scream before the second verse.”

And speaking of that scream …

Wrote Louise Post of Veruca Salt: “Kim Shattuck was a force of nature, a beautiful person, and a good friend. We cannot believe she has left us. Nina and I had the honor of singing our favorite Muffs songs with her in 2017. We filmed it for a video podcast that is now stuck in legal limbo, and we’re probably not supposed to show it to you, but fuck it. This is ‘Funny Face.’”*

* Stay for the end.