Timeless punk diva
Debora Lyall (Photo courtesy Tony Smith) An interview with Debora Iyall as Romeo Void’s 1980 live recording is finally released GREGG SHAPIRO | Q MusicGreggShapiro@aol.com Recorded in 1980, Romeo Void’s Live From Mabuhay Gardens, November 14, 1980 (Liberation Hall) is finally seeing the light of day in 2023 — on April 22, to be precise — as a Record Store Day release.
The previously unreleased 11-track live set, on opaque blue galaxy vinyl, features songs such as “Nothing For Me,” “Confrontation,” “White Sweater” and “Talk Dirty To Me,” that would later make their way to the San Francisco-based band’s exceptional 415 Records debut It’s A Condition.
Unquestionably, it was lead singer Debora Iyall’s distinctive vocals, which alternated between impassioned and indifferent (remember later singles “Never Say Never” and “A Girl in Trouble”?), that set Romeo Void apart from other bands of the era.
Debora was gracious enough to make time to answer a few questions before the release of the new album. Gregg Shapiro: Debora, I’d like to begin by asking you to confirm the story behind the band’s name Romeo Void.
