Comments on: Ancient History: Big Black Nun

By: monty

monty — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:51:19 +0000

I had the unluckiness of living in a group house with fire in Northern VA for a short time…maybe around 91…a very unpleasant self involved man.

By: Dan In Kansas

Dan In Kansas — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:21:49 +0000

WOW. I LOVED Big Black Nun. I went to every show of theirs I could get to. One of the best bands in DC at the time. I saw you at the same time I saw Rusted Root in a crowded little club in Pittsburgh, and BBN was way better. For years and years I had a tape, and played it for friends, and they all LOVED “Kamikaze Porn Queen.”

By: firedean

firedean — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:45:05 +0000

Hi Val, Someone forwarded me this page…I am happy to see you are doin well although not at all surprised. Peoples lives cross at weird intersections sometimes and in our case briefly, 17yrs? ago… You’ll recall i didnt even play an instrument yet. In fact BBN was my first musical venture of any kind, ever. When we met i was just gettin started, and at a very late age (27) Having failed a music theory class the teacher told me i would never do anything musical.For a long time i believed her and others. At some point i tryed a different approach: defiance, and EGO. It worked for a while, like it does for many rappers I imagine. Its the perfect smoke screen to intence insecurity. Obnoxious yes, but being excluded from music wasnt an option. Of course got those scary voices to stop calling the shots, asked for help, learned to play gtr…life happened and things improved, inside anyhow. Regardless, please accept this blanket apology and keep churning out great music. love, fire-dean
ps: i loved seeing the pics! I believe ‘Child’ was on drums for this show (there were 13 drummers by the end)…and he most likely would have been tripping on acid.

By: mat foley

mat foley — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:48:04 +0000

besides the mugging at gunpoint,sounds like a cool experience-different bands lead to places that you just wouldnt get to any other way-and sometimes it truly doesnt matter how it ends,no?

By: Barry Newton

Barry Newton — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Norma (#!) left off one adjective that very much needs to be in the mix: Hot. Or maybe, these days, hot mama.

By: Rault

Rault — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:47:00 +0000

…I totally remember the black & blond hair. I thought it was ultra-cool and very rock & roll.

And, I still have my Big Black Nun t-shirt! (black, of course.)

xoxox

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:34:53 +0000

Great story! And to think I had the chance to see it all before it was, if only I didn’t have my nose stuck deep in the folk music scene in those days

By: David Kowalski

David Kowalski — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:37:06 +0000

Hey Val…you’ve told me various early-day stories over the years but this is the first time I’ve heard this particular one. Great stuff and, in that inimitably Groovelily way, hugely entertaining while being simultaneously a great lesson in it’s heart-on-the-sleeve openness. Keep ‘em coming! P.S. Loved the pix, too!

By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:23:26 +0000

Well, shucks. I was trying for wry humor…
and definitely NOT fishing for compliments…but I certainly appreciate your kind words. Adolescent demons are not easily banished.

By: Norma Hall

Norma Hall — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:23:24 +0000

Val, what defective mirrors you must have had. All we’ve ever seen when we are lucky enough to catch you performing is amazing energy, a phenomenal voice, incredible talent and beauty that truly comes from within and lights up the room. Even knee socks couldn’t diminish what you offer, so give yourself a break!