The essence of punk rock speaks truth to power.
The original punk ethos — as opposed to the watered-down and mainstream-approved 21st century version — embraced not just fighting oppression but fighting the oppressors themselves.
San Antonio’s Fea keeps its approach to punk refreshingly old-school.
The all-woman band’s latest album, The Nerve — due out digitally this Friday and on vinyl later this summer —features nine tracks that speak truth to power, explicitly challenging an American dream built upon the disenfranchisement of the less fortunate.
The release immediately sets its thematic tone with lyrics that rail against a system designed to keep us in compliance while allowing politicians to rewrite history and marginalize people at the fringes.
From the first line of the leadoff track “Careful,” it is obvious Fea has something important to say: “Hey, better be quiet / Watch what you say now / Make sure that everyone’s OK.”
Indeed, the video for “Careful,” directed by Fea bassist Jenn Alva, explores the dystopian consequences of unchecked power, even as it pays winking homage to Bette Midler’s “Oh Industry” from the film Beaches.
In Fea’s version, the C. C. Bloom character — portrayed by vocalist Letty Martinez — takes on toxic masculinity. The other members of the band — Alva, drummer Phanie Diaz and guitarist Adrian Conner — join her as Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and Joan of Arc, respectively, who embody powerful women archetypes: a fearless explorer, a resilient nonconformist and a divine warrior.
The Nerve is the first album to feature guitarist Adrian Conner, who joined the band in 2022 and also performs in the AC/DC tribute act Hell’s Belles. Originally coming on temporarily, she found a home in the group and eventually relocated to San Antonio.
Though the lineup is new, the release represents musical continuity for Fea, capturing the quartet’s passion for hard-driving drums, melodic bass, blistering guitar riffs and lyrical honesty.
At the same time, The Nerve feels like a statement from four musicians who have matured as individuals, faced adulthood through the America-First era and stand ready to pointedly speak out against hypocrisy.
Martinez, who works as a paralegal for an immigration firm, told the Current her lyrics are literal and direct — delivered from the heart.
For example, “Poison” — a song that skewers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other health-focused fearmongers — evolved through Martinez’s personal experience grappling with her son’s autism diagnosis.
“Everything is poison,” Martinez sings. “Gimme additives, food dyes and preservatives / For all the kids and their cognitive development.”
The song “Paco” deals with the tragic loss of a family member and the remorse survivors carry in its aftermath. It’s one of several Fea tunes Martinez wrote and sang in Spanish.
Years in the making
The lifelong relationship between Alva and Diaz, who started Fea from the ashes of recently reborn San Antonio alt-rock favorites Girl in a Coma, lies at the core of the band behind The Nerve.
Alva told the Current that she and Diaz frequently argue during the creative process, but it’s always in pursuit of the best product. Though Alva’s bass riffs function as the songs’ foundation, they include contributions from every member.
While The Nerve was four years in the making, the music feels worth the wait.
Why so long?
For one, the members of Fea all have adult responsibilities. Martinez is married with a full-time job and a young child. Alva is married with teenagers. Diaz owns and operates three venues in San Antonio. And Conner still performs with Hell’s Belles while maintaining a long-distance relationship.
Beyond that, the reunion of Girl in a Coma has demanded time from Diaz and Alva. The pair has been writing, recording and touring for that band over the past year-and-a-half, limiting how much energy they could devote to Fea.
Although time is limited, the members often spend bonding time together outside of the band.
Diaz affirmed that the friendship between the four is the key to Fea’s success and longevity. The members of the band check in with one another and share stories and camaraderie before running through songs at practice. Outside of rehearsals, they spend time together when they can.
New label, new prospects
In addition to the grind of daily life, the changing music-business landscape held up the release of The Nerve.
Like Girl in a Coma, Fea was originally signed to legendary rocker Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records label. Indeed, the band recorded two original albums and an EP of covers during their time with Jett’s imprint.
However, Fea hadn’t released new recordings since the pandemic.
Over time, Blackheart Records has moved away from growing new artists to focus on Jett, who tours constantly, according to the members of Fea. The label’s methodology for development and promotion, now antiquated, also did not fit with the band’s goals for the record it had worked so hard on.
Diaz reached out to old friend Gil Gastelum of Southern California-based Cosmica Artists. Although the label’s roster, which includes both U.S. and Latin American bands, skews heavily toward Latin sounds, he embraced Fea instantly.
Fea deemed Cosmica’s approach more forward-thinking and adaptable to the evolving music landscape, and the label’s inclusivity-focused code of ethics was an added bonus.
With the full backing of Cosmica, Fea plans to aggressively promote and tour nationally with hopes of spreading its message far beyond San Antonio.
The Nerve provides a solid and uncompromising springboard for that ambition.
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