Last Will & Petra Core recently caught up with Juanita & Juan (Alice Bag & Kid Congo Powers) when the duo played Thee Stork Club in Oakland during a tour for their new album, Jungle Cruise (In The Red). Tune in on Tuesday, April 29th @ 7pm to hear their conversation.
Juanita and Juan is a dynamic musical duo formed by Alice Bag and Kid Congo Powers, two influential figures in the punk and alternative music scenes who first crossed paths in 1977 during the early days of the Hollywood punk movement. Their friendship, rooted in a shared passion for raw, boundary-pushing music, has led to a new creative partnership that transcends genres and defies labels, although the two refer to their sound as “Loud Lounge.”
Alice Bag, a founding member of the pioneering punk band The Bags, is known for her fierce stage presence and unapologetic, feminist approach to punk music. She has spent decades championing the voices of women in rock and advocating for social justice, both through her music and activism. Kid Congo Powers, an original member of The Gun Club, and a key player in The Cramps, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, as well as his own band, Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds, brings his audacious blend of noisy, psych-infused rock with a touch of glam. His unique guitar playing and distinctive style have made him a beloved figure in underground music circles.
Together, Juanita and Juan blend their influences—Bag’s fiery vocals and penchant for dark melody with Powers’ atmospheric, reverb-laden guitar tones—creating a musical landscape that is both nostalgic and fresh-sounding. Their collaboration captures the adventurous spirit of their punk roots while embracing new sonic territory.
The duo’s chemistry is undeniable, with their musical partnership serving as both a testament to their enduring friendship and the spirit of musical exploration that began for the pair in 1976, proving that punk is not just a genre, but a lasting, ever-evolving attitude.
Photo: Christopher Carlone
