Strange Boutique: Rand Blackwell, Monica Richards, Steve Willett and Dennis Kane

Do we have to be crazy to feel our wings?

Strange Boutique rose out of the ashes of the 80's Washington DC punk scene. Singer Monica Richards, drummer Danny Ingram and guitarist Fred "Freak" Smith were looking to spread their wings beyond the harDCcore scene they had helped nurture as members of Madhouse, Youth Brigade and Beefeater.  The three had worked together briefly as the last incarnation of Madhouse before changing the name to Strange Boutique, and promptly realized a larger change was in order...

A classified ad in the weekly DC City Paper brought Steve Willett into the group; the chemistry was instant and within a short time an entirely new set of songs was written. The new material surged with the energy of the DC (post)-punk scene while embracing an unexpected sense of melody. Creating their very own eclectic brand of powerful, guitar-driven ethereal pop, with a touch of world music influence and mystical imagination, Strange Boutique had its own style: "a swirling, soaring guitar, ethereal vocals, and a pulsating rhythm section... aural heaven."

Early recordings of “Step Softly” and “Feast Your Eyes” wound up on DC-based compilations and provided a calling card for
the new lineup and sound. The band's first EP, Easter Island featuring the pulsing lead track, “Quicksand Minds” followed in May of 1989. The new record and engaging live shows prompted positive attention and momentum. The onstage energy was electric and immediate; a combination of tethered chaos (Fred), mesmerizing charm (Monica) and a cracking rhythm section
(Danny and Steve) that made the whole thing move.

"Strange Boutique was the most visually arresting of the night, displaying an affection and talent for British-inspired dark psychedelia. Stomping and swooping around the stage, singer Monica Richards intoned like a tough Kate Bush while the band constructed massive melodies behind her." - The Washington Post - 1991

Following a powerful performance supporting Killing Joke in D.C., the two bands struck an immediate friendship, and KJ gave Strange Boutique the support slot for their next UK shows. The band took the chance and flew to London, performing a number of well-received shows in support of Killing Joke.

Strange Boutique, 1991 Original Lineup with Fred "Freak" Smith and Danny Ingram

In between live shows the band worked relentlessly on new  songs. Quickly leaving the early material behind, the group found its stride in yet another new batch of songs. The new stuff had a swagger and a groove, ... the edges were soaked in reverb and Monica found a place on top of it all. A limited 7” single featuring “A Happy Death” and a cover of Magazine’s “A Song From Under the Floorboards” was released on Y&T records.

Strange Boutique entered the studio in February, 1991 to record their long-awaited debut album The Loved One. The album, which featured a new recording of their EP favorite "Quicksand Minds", was released on their own Bedazzled Records in the Fall of 1991, and at this time, Daniel Ingram left SB to explore his expanding musical interests. He joined England's Swervedriver for their 1992 world tour, and moved to London. Drummer Rand Blackwell, known as "the human drum machine", joined Strange Boutique.

The band recorded and released a new single, In A Heaven with a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" on the B-side, and the band performed extensively, touring the East Coast in support of the release.  

In November 1992, Strange Boutique began recording the Charm album, again for their own Bedazzled Records, and released it in February 1993. This album is the band's favorite; it finds SB in their most classic style. 

"The Charm CD comes closest to capturing Strange Boutique's live sound. Lots of layered, textural guitar and lovely vocals over the melodic basslines and driving percussion. Nothing less than mesmerizing." - AS IF, 1993 

The group flew to the West Coast in March of '93 for a double-bill tour with the immortal This Ascension, as well as a crowded show at San Francisco's House of Usher with Switchblade Symphony. Though quite unknown on the West Coast, SB charmed their California audiences, and returned home with a growing national fanbase. 

1993, though, was a very difficult year for the band. All members experienced personal hardships, and the strain became all too apparent. Strange Boutique continued writing and touring in the ensuing months, but for numerous personal reasons, the band decided to go on a possibly permanent respite. The band entered the studio in November, 1993, one last time to record the last songs written, which became the final album, The Kindest Worlds. 

When Strange Boutique said farewell in 1993, the band scattered across the country and found new creative outlets. Singer Monica Richards formed Faith and the Muse, guitarist Fred Smith landed in Blaxmyth and bassist Steve Willett joined DC guitar ensemble Tone.  Drummer Rand Blackwell retreated to the mountains of North Carolina. 

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In July 2004, Strange Boutique reconvened for a 10-year reunion at The Black Cat in Washington DC.  This one-off show coincided with the release of "Strange Boutique: The Collection - 1988-1994", on Metropolis Records.

Sadly, that would be the last time they performed with Fred "Freak" Smith on guitar...

Strange Boutique live reunion show, 2019

After the senseless loss of guitarist Fred “Freak” Smith in 2017, singer Monica Richards and bassist Steve Willett began reminiscing about their love of Fred and the music they wrote with him. This began a dialogue about getting together in Washington DC for an evening of music.   

In 2019, Strange Boutique reunited to begin practice for a single show in honor of Fred, yet something unexpected  happened... While rehearsing with Dennis Kane who was filling in on guitar, it became apparent that even after such an extended hiatus, all the music of Strange Boutique came naturally to the new lineup.

In June of that year, a filled-to-capacity club in Washington DC, DC9, welcomed Strange Boutique home for an evening of music and toasts as a celebration of the life of a lost friend, breathing new life into their classic songs. The warm reception for the new lineup playing the old songs and the joy of playing together made the decision to write new material an easy one.

Strange Boutique released their first new music in over 15 years, the Jet Stream e.p. in 2021.

"As the post-punk and goth/rock resurgence is in full swing, the time was perhaps just right for Strange Boutique to return, and Jet Stream does as a comeback release should – it dignifies and pays reverence to the group’s past while signifying the desire to move forward and evolve further. As such, those like this writer who did not have the opportunity to enjoy the group’s initial impact should rejoice alongside longtime fans… Strange Boutique is back!"- ReGen Magazine, 2021

More new music to come!