PAM'S STORY

I began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 14, inspired by the folk music I grew up around. My parents valued civil rights and equality, and we were often in the presence of musicians, poets, and activists. My father was an activist as well.

At one point in 1984 I was working in the iconic North Village Sub Shop in Columbia, MO, near Ernie’s Café and a local bar that became the hub of socializing for several overlapping groups of bohemian artists. I knew Teri Ciacchi at that point, as a marvelous poet and artist, but only knew of Ann and Sheila peripherally. Teri walked in to the Sub Shop one day when I was baking bread in the back, and told me Ann and Sheila wanted to hear my song, “Me and My Little Fingers.” I was thrilled, as was already a fan of their new band, Art Sluts. That song opened the door for me joining the band, and the rest is herstory, brief though it was.

Art Sluts was a mix of many things, but ultimately our music reflected the individual and collective expressions of who we were as young women, living in the early ‘80s, with our myriad of sometimes exciting and sometimes distressing and painful experiences. We felt empowered together as a band, and sought to address sexism, stereotypes, and taboo topics related to women, often through humor and parody.

We eventually dissolved the band due to our agreement that we would stop when it was no longer “fun.” I sometimes wonder if that was the right decision. As a young woman, I didn’t fully realize the importance of working through conflict. We had disagreements about the direction of the band, and I think we may have been able to resolve those. That said, we each went on creating our own paths in the world and are now reconnecting to bring that music to a wider audience. We hope you enjoy it.

Pam Demonium (Dougherty) later produced two independent albums, Shine A Light and Feeling So Alive. She now lives on the Central Coast in California and works in higher education.  She has a daughter in graduate school.

Read ANN'S STORY

Read TERI'S STORY