We have a love-hate relationship, me and technology. Right now, I'd marry it. Had it not been for Apple's iSight, the three front-ladies of BETTY, a two-decade-old estrogen rock(ish) band, would've had trouble connecting with Between The Lines before two local gigs – together, at least. Amy Ziff is in Sweden (apparently "gettin' jiggy"), Elizabeth Ziff is helping write the upcoming sixth season of "The L Word" in L.A. and Alyson Palmer is in New York with her kids. Still, we got the trio, because, after all, what's a BETTY interview without all the leading ladies? I'll tell you: Like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich – without the jam.
What should folks expect at your two Michigan gigs?
Elizabeth Ziff: Bad sound and good hair.
Alyson Palmer: (Laughs) No, it's gonna be rocking! And great hair.
Amy Ziff: Great new songs from their fave band, BETTY.
Alyson: Detroit is close to my heart; my grandma lived there and I loved coming to visit. We'd go out to Belle Isle or cruise around in her giant car and she'd tell me stories of the old days. Coming back is like coming home. I can't wait!
What's the worst part about touring with two other women? The best?
Amy: The worst: Not enough mirror time. The best: Someone always has a spare tampon.
Elizabeth: There is no worst. The best is having someone around to make sure you don't O.D.
Alyson: Ah, I think it's the ever-changing boundaries. With guys, they're fixed and set. Women can draw you in and then slam the gate. That's the best and the worst.
How did "The L Word" change your career – and your bank accounts?
Elizabeth: It really hasn't.
Alyson: I agree. BETTY has been together for 22 friggin' years! So much has happened since 1986, up and down. "The L Word" has been such a fun and challenging experience, but it's another thrill on a very long rollercoaster.
Amy: More exposure. More pressure to keep up with the joneses, so, of course, money just drops by the wayside!
Alyson: (laughs) Also, it's an honor to see the devotion fans have for the show and know that we have a teeny bit to do with it. To have an entire audience screaming the words to the theme song we wrote gives me goosebumps every time.
How did it feel being on a show with a bunch of women who are being lusted over by just about every lesbian?
Amy: The same as being in a band with the same kind of sex appeal.
Elizabeth: (laughs) Ditto!
You've covered so much in your 20-plus-year career – equal rights, AIDS, the pro-choice movement – so, what's left to talk about?
Amy: We have to keep talking, and singing, and doing, until things are the way they should be – for everyone!
Elizabeth: We have a long way to go. We've got the worst administration in the history of America. Corporations are taking over. People are desensitized.
Alyson: So – we'll be singing for a while to come.
What are some topics you won't discuss in your music?
Amy: Everything is fair game, I think.
When should we expect a new album? What kind of material and sound do you foresee?
Amy: Soon! We are so excited about our new stuff.
Alyson: We're doing a lot of experimenting with electronics and really taking our time to explore where sounds are taking us. We've got 10 songs written and recorded so far, but we're not rushing it. People can follow the progress at our MySpace site, www.myspace.com/bettymusic.
Since you've been in a band for so long (and two of you are sisters), just how well do you know each other?
Alyson: You have no idea what we know about each other.
Elizabeth: And you never will.
Alyson: But sometimes when we get in a state on stage, the truth spills out.
Elizabeth: And it ain't pretty.
INFO BOX
BETTY
9 p.m. May 16
Club Pink, Detroit
8 p.m. May 17
The Ark, Ann Arbor
