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For nearly seven years, the Applicators have been plugging up the Austin, Texas punk scene with their hook filled, yet trashy distorted chord progressions. It might sound like a recipe for toxic shock syndrome, but on the contrary, the Applicators have just started to find their flow.
“I’m married to four women,” jokes Sabrina Applicator, “and we’re finally all on the same page.”

It’s been a long journey for the Applicators. Formed in January 1999 in the indie-minded town of Austin, the band has only two releases in the United States. Their debut album, What’s Your Excuse, was released in 2001 on Cornerstone R.A.S. to favorable reviews and brought the band some much needed attention outside the Austin punk scene. The band toured the UK a few times as well, landing them a new manager outside of the U.S., and released an EP that never saw the light of day in America.

“We had a European manager for two years,” Sabrina explains, “but we needed a voice in America.”

Indeed. With no new material in four years Stateside, the Applicators finally recorded a new album this year that they are currently distributing themselves, and are looking for a new label to call home. It’s entitled, I Know the Truth, and it’s a garagey slice of candy coated punk pop somewhere between the Distillers, Tilt and the Ramones. Just don’t lump them into the generic girl band cookie cutter bin.

“That’s the hard thing,” Sabrina says, “As soon as people hear you’re a girl band—you’re the Donnas. We had to fight to not be put into a category that wasn’t who we were. This is our band.”

With the addition of Cookie on lead guitars and drummer Teri Lord alongside Erica on guitar and Kristina on bass, Sabrina says the band is at a place where they can be comfortable just being themselves.
“[I Know the Truth] was a huge experience of growth,” Sabrina says. “It really showed our progress. Some of the girls listen to completely different stuff.”

Recorded over a two-week period, Cookie’s lead guitar adds a layer of melody complimenting the emotional range of Sabrina’s voice. It’s poppier, but Erica’s rhythm guitar retains plenty of grit. Sabrina maintains although the sessions were tense, it served the band well, and she’s extremely proud about how it came out in the end.

Whereas What’s Your Excuse was more of a quick, lighthearted fix, I Know the Truth is a bit more substantial, lyrically as well as musically. The tempos are varied, and the beats aren’t always straight up 1,2,3,4.
The Applicators recently came home to Texas after spending a couple of weeks in Europe this November. Every night, according to Sabrina, somebody had to get in their faces about U.S. foreign policy.

“It was our first time in Sweden,” Sabrina says. “It was a little rough. They were serious. Every night we had to talk about George Bush. And we do not support George Bush… My bass player is a magnet for trouble. At our last show she freaked out. She went crazy on [a heckler]. We talked to a lot of people there. People associate you with the government.”

Sabrina says the shows, nevertheless, were amazing. People sang along despite the language barrier and it was a pogo-hopping good time.
The Applicators made it back safe and sound and are focused on their future. Having played Warped Tour this summer, they made a bunch of new friends and plan to attend the big Las Vegas Punk Rock Bowling event in January. Not only that, but they plan to tour nationally as well, along with recording a new album that they’re already working on.
With the help of Myspace, the band has pulled in more than 5,000 friends this year alone. Next year will only lead to more.

“Myspace is doing great for the band. It creates relationships with local kids, bands, promoters... It’s hard to remember all those people, but Myspace puts a face with a name.”

Asked what she likes the most about being in the Applicators, Sabrina doesn’t throw out the typical sex, drugs and rock n’ roll reference. Instead, she says it’s all about making friends and getting to hang out with her band mates.

“It’s a dream job.”