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With
a steady ensemble of about 20 women, give or take a gal, the
Velvet Hammer was born from Carrs ventures into local
nightspots in the southland. And among its denizens, she found
inspiration.
Well, to make a long story short, Carr says, I
used to love to hang out in really trashy strip bars with my
friends to knock back a few, have some laughs. We would really
get into tipping our favorite gal, according to music selection,
costume and pole tricks. So, of course being a girl, I would
sit there and fantasize about what I would do if I were a stripper.
An aficianado of the era and artform, Carr says that her imagination
would result in a grandiose vision, prompting her to question
why the girls she was watching did not put a little more moxie
on their acts.
I really wanted to see that, she continues. Keep
in mind that, for as long as I can remember, I have been an
avid collector of old mens magazines that featured burlesque
stars and pin-up queens.
Then the obvious struck.
Instead of sitting around wishing I could see a burlesque
show, why not get off my ass and do it myself. Thats where
the blackmail and intimidation come in. I will realize my vision!
Five years later, the Velvet Hammer continues to create their
lovingly detailed acts on their own. According to Carr, luckily
one of the ensemble is a costumer who can help the girls realize
some of their more complicated designs. While the girls have
free reign to create their routines, they must
maintain a certain uniformity to keep the Velvet Hammer essence
intact. |