6 QUESTIONS with AMIE MIRIELLO.

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Author: Conniff, Tamara

Dirtie Blonde lead singer Amie Miriello sucks the air out of Pianosâ€"a small club on Manhattan's Lower East Side. She belts out "Walk Over Me," the first single off the band's self-titled Jive Records debut. Dirtie Blonde, which features Jay Dmuchowski and Sean Kipe on guitar, Dean Moore on bass and Tim Perez on drums, just came off the road with INXS and is now opening for Teddy Geiger. Miriello hopes to be the next strong and independent female voice in rock. She's off to a good start.

Q: Is there room in today's market for a female-fronted rock band?

A: I feel like we are filling a niche that needs to be filled. There was Gwen Stefani, but she's on her own [for] now. There's Evanescence, but that's more metal. I feel there is a place for us. We just need to capitalize on that right now.

Q: How does it work for the band to have the frontwoman be such a focus?

A: I think if you keep the internal morale within the band high, it really is the only way to do it. On the outside, people are going to look at me as the frontwoman, but internally, it's a democracy. I think that's the only way we are really going to last. We all have important roles. I like to perform, but I'm not necessarily the social butterfly of the band, whereas these guys are great at that.

Q: How do you deal being on the road with four guys?

A: Well, I grew up with three brothers so I'm used to what comes with hanging out with guys. But I definitely miss girls. I'm a girl's girl. I like hanging out with girls and going out for wine and cheese and trash talking. I used to be a tomboy when I was a kid, but now I really do appreciate women. I love working with women. I love women in the industry, I love that Jive Records has so many women working for them, it's important to women empowerment. I love men, but I'm not a feminist, although I have feministic views. You can't use being a woman as a scapegoat, and I believe that is something people do a lot.

Q: What was your process in writing this album?

A: I concentrated on writing songs with structure that could be on the radio. Lyrically, it's as good as anything I've ever written. It has an immediate feel when you listen to it because it was written in 12 days. I was bartending in New York City, and everything was crazy. I was making no money, it was a really desperate time. I think that comes out in the lyrics and comes out in the record.

Q: You've been a songwriter since you were 15 years old. What made you sign with Jive?

A: I mean, if I wanted to sign a record deal at 16 and be like everyone else, I would have done that. In this process, no one tells us what to do, they tell us what they think works. They give us input.

Q: What is your favorite song on the album?

A: "Stay." Lyrically, it is the most powerful one for me. It reminds me of songs that I listened to when I was younger.

PHOTO (COLOR): MIRIELLO

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By Tamara Conniff