“I Miss My Hoons”: A Q&A with Vicki No Mates

Many of us remember Vicki from her time as guitarist in 5 Girls, the dirty, noisy punk/rock band initially active between 1993 and 1997, formed by a group of friends from Hamilton Girls High School. They reformed for a few years from 2016, this time afflicted with a split personality – sometimes they played their older, louder songs, and at other times they possessed a new alt-country style. But now Vicki has lost her old bandmates. Vicki now is ‘Vicki No Mates’.

​We talked with Vicki about her sound, the challenges and joys of being a solo performer, dogs, ram raids, and more! 

HUP: Vicki, your style changed over the years with 5 Girls. Where does the vibe sit now for Vicki No Mates?

Vicki: I would say my vibe is slightly different playing solo. It's more about the songwriting and less about the party perhaps. I tend to write with a slightly sluggish feel. I am inspired by murderfolk and country rock bands such as Amigo the Devil, The Johnnys and Blaze Foley, so maybe that's where it comes from.
 
HUP: What challenges or advantages do you find in being a solo performer rather than part of a band?

Vicki: There's huge advantages in the way I can practice when I want, write the song exactly the way I imagine it, and play any gig I want to. The huge disadvantages are I am truly Vicki No Mates before and after the gig; I miss my hoons when I have pre-show nervous energy/after show buzz and nobody to share it with.
 
HUP: Have you written a whole set of new songs, or do you slip the odd 5 Girls song?

​Vicki: I have my own set, but I do bust out ‘Beach Babe Bogan’, which I can't resist. [continued below]

Photo by Ryan Greenwood (provided)

HUP: Tell us about some of your songs. Do you explore any particular lyrical themes? Are there any songs you are particularly proud of that we should listen out for? 
 
Vicki: I am definitely not one to write about my life problems...  Although I do admit my newest song is an honest and heartfelt song about how I like dogs better than people ;).  I do love playing my song 'Ram Raid', and another fave is 'A Good Keen Man'. I do love storytelling.
 
HUP: You are playing at the Contact 50th anniversary gig. What did Contact mean to you back in the day?
​
Vicki:  Contact was a home for so-called weirdos really. It gave us somewhere to belong I suppose, to totally embrace the kind of music and attitude we had, and to meet/listen to others who were also misfits of the mainstream. Contact gave us a platform to play, be heard on the air, and offered us great gigs. I think back fondly of those Wailing Bongo, Contact parties and Ward Lane days. Congrats to 50 years!  Look forward to seeing some old faces at the gig!

with Ian Duggan