Fashion Club Entertainment
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Daria. Credits belong to Glenn Eichler, Susie Lewis Lynn and MTV.
La la la la laaaa...
Suburban queens
New chicks on the scene
And we're going for the kill
We do it for the thrills
Fancy clothes, fast cars
Cute boys, cuter toys
Take a look at us now
We're all superstars
Fix my makeup and my hair
You're gonna see us everywhere
Front page, on the billboards
The Fashion Club, you will adore
And we never needed any pity
Catch us partying in your city
'Cause me and my girls
Just wanna be popular and pretty...baby
Cruising through Lawndale
Got the top down
Shades on, I'm a rockstar
You can never top us
Record labels wanna sign
We're gonna shine bright
Go out at night, play a set
Strut around sexy all day, everyday
Yeah, that's a bet
Fix my makeup and my hair
You're gonna see us everywhere
Front page, on the billboards
The Fashion Club, you will adore
And we never needed any pity
Catch us partying in your city
'Cause me and my girls
Just wanna be popular and pretty...baby
Me and my girls just wanted to be popular and pretty...
PRESENT DAY
"And we're back, on Lady Legends of Rock! Today's special guest is the one and only Quinn Morgendorrfer, co-vocalist and guitarist of the multiple Glammy nominated band The Fashion Club! We're so excited to have you!" the host said.
"Thanks for having me." Quinn waved.
"I've gotta ask, Quinn...what did it feel like to be a part of one of the most popular and best selling female bands of all time?" the host asked.
"..." Quinn smiled.
TEN YEARS EARLIER
Quinn, Sandi, Stacy and Tiffany all were attending their first year of Lawndale Community College, each going for the same major; cosmetology of course. Sandi ordered that year's chapter of the college's fashion club inner circle to a meeting, it was also the college's first fashion club with Sandi and the girls all being co-founders, retaining their respective positions.
"The meeting of the presidential line of the LCC Fashion Club has commenced. Ladies, I've brought you here because something has been brought to my attention...we aren't doing enough with our roles as LCCFC leaders. We need to bring more attention to ourselves and our mission cause. I am open to suggestions." Sandi stated.
"We can start a fundraiser!" Stacy chimed in.
"Yeahhh, caaar waaaash..." Tiffany drawled.
"No, no, that's all been done. We need something fresh, something unique!" Sandi scoffed.
"We could start a band."
The three other girls all stared at Quinn in complete silence.
"Gee Quinn, that's probably the worst idea I've ever heard! But wait...what if we all start a band?" Sandi retorted.
"Sounds like fun, Sandi! You're a genius!"
"Sooo raaaad."
"How do you come up with these things, Sandi..?" Quinn sighed, sarcastically.
"So it's unanimous. There is one thing however...do any of us know how to play any instruments? I've taken piano lessons but I don't think it will be that kind of band. I volunteer to be lead vocalist as president of The Fashion Club which I assume will be our band name?" Sandi inquired to the group.
The girls shook their heads in agreement on the name and that they all had no talents in musical instrumentation.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. As for learning instruments, we could probably learn from Daria's friend's brother? He's in a band. I can learn guitar!" Quinn confirmed.
"I've actually always wanted to learn bass!" Stacy brought up.
"I guessss I'm on the stiiiicksss..."
"It's settled. Tomorrow afternoon we all meet at Quinn's then make our way to see if...what was that guy's name again, Quinn?" Sandi asked.
"His name's Trent."
"Right, Trent. We'll commission him and his band to teach us, money shouldn't be an issue." Sandi finished.
THE NEXT DAY
The ladies made their way from Daria and Quinn's house over to the Lane residence and knocked. Trent opened the door.
"Can I help you? Oh, hey Daria's sister." Trent yawned mid-speech.
"Actually you can help us. I'm Sandi Griffin, and these are my Fashion Club cabinet members, you of course already know Quinn. We would like you to teach us on how to become a band. We are prepared to pay you and your group, uh..."
"Mystik Spiral. But we're thinking about changing the name." Trent told.
"Right, Mystik Spiral or whatever. We're willing to commission you by the hour, name your rates." Sandi relayed.
"Hmm. Forty bucks should do it. From each of you." Trent said.
The girls each gave him the money and invited them in.
"Follow me, ladies."
They headed down to Trent's basement where he would often practice with his band.
"Hey fellas, looks like we've been commissioned. This is Daria's sister and her friends, they wanna start a band." Trent informed his band.
The dudes all said their "heys" and wassups" to the girls and got with their individual teachers.
"Hi! I'm Stacy, I wanna learn bass."
"'Sup Stacy, I'm Nick. Let's get you started."
"I'm Tiffanyyyy, teach me the way of the druuuumsss."
"Uh, cool, yeah, you got it Tiffany. I'm Max. Have a seat right over here by the kit."
"So I take it I'm teaching you two?" Trent says to Sandi and Quinn.
"I am the lead vocalist of the band, but Quinn is our lead guitarist and backing vocalist. Stacy will also provide backing vocals as bassist but Tiffany will not." Stacy assured.
"What kind of sound are you looking for?" Trent wondered aloud to them.
"What genres are trendy and popular nowadays?" Quinn asked.
"I concur. Tell us, Trent." Sandy spoke up as well.
"Well, considering the look of you guys, I'd say your style could be something like indie rock with a touch of indie pop?" he explained.
The girls agreed and handed Quinn a spare guitar, grabbing his own.
"Let's get started." Trent said.
ONE YEAR LATER
By this time, the girls had either gotten their certifications or associate degrees in cosmetology from LCC and were a garage band, playing open mics but not any professional gigs quite yet. They all sat around watching TV.
"What happens when a spirit reincarnates into window fabrics and terrorizes a family by strangling them every time they walk by? The Drapes of Wrath, coming up next on Sick, Sad World!"
An ad came on.
"Local artists, the Annual Lawndale Rock-Off is making its way back around. Winning band gets a check for a thousand dollars and their performed song played on Z93 Mental In The Morning! Sign your band up today and let's get ready to rock!"
"The band that wins gets a grand in prize money and the winning song played on Z93?!" Quinn squeaked.
"Two fifty each and our song on the airwaves? Show of hands we go through with it?" Sandi raised her hand, as did the other members of TFC.
"It's unanimous. Quinn, do you have a song written already?" Sandi asked.
"I do have one, I think it'll be a hit. It's personal and raw." Quinn replied.
"This little rock-off competition isn't ready for The Fashion Club. Come on cabinet members, practice makes perfect." Sandi snapped her fingers as to rush and motivate her band.
THE ANNUAL LAWNDALE ROCK-OFF
There were more than a dozen bands playing at the event, but one band stuck out to the Fashion Club.
"Trent?! You and Mystik Spiral are competing too?" Quinn was first to talk, stunned to see them there.
"Well, if it isn't our old star pupils. This has just gotten interesting." Trent commented.
"I trust when The Fashion Club thrashes Mystik Spiral and the rest of these bands there won't be any hard feelings, will there?" Sandi sassily pondered audibly to her former teacher.
"Sandi, c'mon, be nice." Stacy giggled.
"Nah, it's okay. It would be a win-win in my opinion." Trent chuckled.
"A winnn-winnnn?" Tiffany repeated, confused.
"I mean, yeah, it'll just show that we taught you all well. May the best band win, good luck Fashion Club." Trent sincerely promised.
"Oh, what a sweetheart..." Stacy blushed.
A while later all the bands played, including Mystik Spiral who had just left the stage. Now it was the moment of truth.
"This is it, ladies. Time to blow the roof off this place. Fashion Club on three...one, two, three-"
"FASHION CLUB!"
"And for our last band, we have The Fashion Club! Let's hear it for these girls!" the announcer cried out to the crowd.
The girls walked onto the stage.
"We're The Fashion Club and we came to rock out, kick ass and shade our mascara...and we never run out of shade and mascara. Two, three, four!" Sandi began to sing.
You come by my crib
I show you how I live
You do it by the books
I don't judge you by your looks
We've got our history
But a little less chemistry
Next chapter's on Waterloo
While I'm thinking of what I'd do to you
I'm in love with a tutor geek
He don't care if my nails are on fleek
His nerdy style is just what I need
Ooh, I'm in love with the tutor geek
Thick glasses, pocket protector
And I just wanted to know things
But really, know him better
Hold my hand when we cross the street
I'm in love with a tutor geek
Says I need more depth, but he's got me all wrong
Guess I showed him, when I wrote this song
Session's started, so I take my seat
Next to this really cute tutor geek
I'm begging to be with him
Practically on my knees
But all he's worried about
Is if I pass my SATs
Did I mention my nails were on fleek?
Know who doesn't give a damn?
That damn tutor geek
I'm in love with a tutor geek
He don't care if my nails are on fleek
His nerdy style is just what I need
Ooh, I'm in love with the tutor geek
Thick glasses, pocket protector
And I just wanted to know things
But really, know him better
Hold my hand when we cross the street
Ooh, I'm in love with the tutor geek
The song ended and the applause was boisterous. Even Daria and Jane in the crowd were impressed.
"Damn, Quinn's band is actually pretty good." Daria gushed.
"Yeah, who knew the infamous Fashion Club could actually shred? Life is strange." Jane added.
"Alright folks, the judges and the crowd seem to be even on their response...the winner of the Annual Lawndale Rock-Off is: The Fashion Club!"
The band group hugged, screamed and cried tears of joy.
"I love you all, we did it, we really did it!" Sandi sobbed.
Trent came out to congratulate them.
"Congrats ladies, we of Mystik Spiral are proud of your band. Looks like we have nothing more to teach you guys." Trent told them.
The girls thanked Trent and took their check home. They had their song played on the radio the following week.
"Gooood afternoon, this is Bing and the Spatula Man on Zeeee 93 and we are Mental In The Morning! We've got a good one for you today Lawndale, this band and song has never before been played on the radio! Introducing the all-female indie rock band The Fashion Club playing their debut single 'Tutor Geek' on Z93 FM!" Bing broadcasted.
A good number of Lawndale's population and a few other nearby towns heard The Fashion Club that day. One of the people that heard happened to be an owner of an independent record label called Liquorish Pizza Records and sent an email to the band.
To,
The Fashion Club
Hello! This is Tom Sloane, the founder of Liquorish Pizza Records. Heard you guys on the radio, you rock! Was wondering if I could interest you in a deal with my company? We'd love to sign The Fashion Club and distribute any record you put out! In case you don't know who we are, our label was the first to sign Platinum-selling band The Bed Sheets, pop sensation Cheerleader Brittany and many others. Below is a standard contract. Hope to work with you!
Best,
Tom Sloane
A&R, co-CEO, Founder
Sandi received the email and passed on the news to her band in a meeting of the Fashion Club elite.
"Alright girls, big news. Some bro wants to sign us to his indie label, apparently he signed The Bed Sheets and Cheerleader Brittany." Sandi stated to her team.
"Oh my God, this is huge! They're both legendary Lawndale artists! Which label?" Quinn gawked.
"Liquorish Pizza Records, the exec's name is Tom Sloane."
"...Daria's ex-boyfriend?!" Quinn gasped.
The girls gasped along with her.
"So does that mean we shouldn't sign with his label?" Stacy moaned.
"What a twiiistttt..." Tiffany whispered.
"Let's just go check out the label ourselves. If anything we can use them to one day start our own record company or get signed to a major one. Besides, wasn't your sister's relationship end with him at least fairly amicable?" Sandi suggested.
"I think you might be right." Quinn thought aloud.
The quartet eventually pulled up to the record label and were greeted by a receptionist.
"Hello, we are the band The Fashion Club and Mr. Sloane's 2:30 appointment." Sandi introduced herself and the group.
"Mr. Sloane will see you now, just take that elevator to the highest floor and his office is the last door on the right." the receptionist said.
They went up to the level Tom was on, knocked and were buzzed in the door.
"Come in ladies, come in!" Tom beckoned. "So I take it you've considered the deal?"
"We have, Mr. Sloane. One thing comes to mind, though." Sandi started.
"Please, call me Tom. What's your concern?" he asked.
"Do you remember me, Tom?"
"Of course I do, Quinn! Your sister is the one who sent me your demo EP after I heard you all on the radio." Tom surprised Quinn.
"Whoa, Daria sent it? I didn't expect that." Quinn looked back and forth at her band members, shocked.
"Well, she is your sister and she loves you. She wants to see you succeed and why not work a bit of my mojo to do that for an old girlfriend's family and her cool band?" Tom asked.
"Girls, a brief pow-wow." Sandi led her band in a huddle and whispered.
"Okay, Tom. Is it really true you produced Cheerleader Brittany's first single?"
"First single and extended play." Tom swore to them.
"Okay. You've convinced us. We'll sign." Sandi went up to shake his hand along with the rest.
"Let's make some fantastic music together." Tom said.
The Fashion Club crew had just scored their first record label deal. Months went by and they were playing bigger shows across the States at better venues, making music videos and even landed a song in a video game soundtrack. But the bigger you are, the harder you may fall. Sandi was beginning to sleep around a lot, laid down for a night's rest with a bottle of hard alcohol and woke herself up often with drugs. Coke, Xanax, painkillers and such, living the rockstar mythos. This would cause a certain steady rift within the band. And all just as they were about to have their album release party, on a familiar and popular national television show.
JRL HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK CITY
"What's good Big Apple, it's the J boys on ya network and we are taking your requests live! But first, it is our honor and privilege to have a band play live right here for you on New Year's Eve; we got our very own high school homies The Fashion Club here to drop a single off their new eponymous debut album. This is the Fashion Club with "Keep Me (In Your Heart)" on JRL! Take us home, ladies!" the JRL boys Jamie, Jeffy and Joey clapped and rooted for them. Sandi was about to go in.
Uh huh, uh huh, hello
As I'm tripping off the words you said
Uh huh, uh huh, you know
You only want me when I'm in your bed
So let's just keep it real
Your girl just cut a deal
I know you're pissed
I know you're mad upset
The shit is chess, not checkers
You know better
Fucked around and now a mate got checked
Check out the kid's glow
All the boys, they stop and stare
Check out the kid grow
Touring from Hollywood to nowhere
Riding down an avenue
Got the pedal to the metal
Nothing else to do
Party 'til the sunrise
Like we never had a clue
Steady sippin' on some cognac
You're taking shots too
Marijuana in the ashtray
We could have a four-way
We can do it your way
If we ever split apart
Or I keep you in the dark
Play me in your car
Maybe keep me in your heart?
Uh huh, uh huh, you know
You know I really should've stayed in bed
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh
It feels like daggers swimming in my head
So meet me in the booth
While we're still rockin' our youth
'Cause one day we might just wake up dead
Forget about the past
Just have a little class
And baby, get that bread
Check out the kid's glow
All the boys, they stop and stare
Check out the kid grow
Touring from Hollywood to nowhere
Riding down an avenue
Got the pedal to the metal
Nothing else to do
Party 'til the sunrise
Like we never had a clue
Steady sippin' on some cognac
You're taking shots too
Marijuana in the ashtray
We could have a fourway
We can do it your way
If we ever split apart
Or I keep you in the dark
Play me in your car
Maybe keep me in your heart?
The song ended and the JRL dudes greeted the band while the crowd was still cheering.
"That was sick! The Fashion Club, ladies and gentlemen! Tell us now, Quinn, what was the process in writing this song?" Joey asked.
"We're all ears, Quinn!" Jeffy added.
"Quinn, marry me!" Jamie jumped in.
"I...well, uh..." Quinn stuttered.
"I'll take it from here, boys." Sandi interrupted. "I wrote the single. Mostly off of my personal feelings and the direction I think some things like to go. You know, stuff like that." Sandi huffed.
The Fashion Club looked at each other uncomfortably as one of the JRL guys stepped in.
"You heard it here first, people! This is JRL, we're live and we'll be right back after a word from our sponsors, laters!"
The rest of the Fashion Club followed Sandi to backstage witnessing her snorting a line off the green room table.
"Sandi, I think you've had enough." Quinn told her.
"Gee, Quinn...didn't really want to be sober when I broke the news, I suppose...Sonny Music Group wants to sign me and make a pop record. Cheerleader Brittany will feature and co-produce it. If you so chose, they'll give you all a distribution deal while I'm away, you'll still be signed to Liquorish Pizza. You won't lose any money, if anything you'll make more." Sandi quietly dropped on them.
"That's why you chose to write that song, you never usually write them...so, what? You're just gonna ditch us? Ditch everything we've worked for so you can sell out to pop music? We've all known each other since high school and cosmetology college and we all graduated together and now you just wanna up and leave? Don't we mean anything to you?! This is SO cliche!" Quinn interrogated in dismay.
"Oh, come the hell off it Quinn. This is what you've always wanted and it's what I've always wanted. You're president of the Fashion Club now and I get to be the pop star, instead of the indie rock frontgirl! That's always been you! You can play guitar and sing, I can't, at least as not as good as you, right?!" Sandi began to cry.
"Oh, Sandi..." Stacy whispered, tearing up.
"You think this was just about me wanting to take your place, you vain bitch? About success, money and record deals? This was about US, making good music, making people proud!" Quinn started to yell while shedding tears.
"Then GO, Quinn! Be all you can be, you're in charge now! You don't NEED me!" Sandi yelled, wiping away tears and rushing out the door.
"Sandi, don't leave like this!" Stacy cried.
"Sooo not cooool Sandiii..." Tiffany muttered, sadly.
Sandi cried more in the limo that drove her away. Time would pass and the Fashion Club, now a trio, would go on their world tour. But so would Sandi. They'd get nominated for a Glammy or two, but so would Sandi. Their label Fashion Club Entertainment would come up off the ground and sign artists that made several Gold certified singles and records, while Sandi was in movies, TV shows and doing modeling gigs. Things just weren't the same.
PRESENT DAY
"I've gotta ask, Quinn...what did it feel like to be a part of one of the most popular and best selling female bands of all time?"
"It was an honor and a privilege. The band was...they were my girls, man. People say I got lucky with my career over the years. There was a bit of luck, I'll admit that. But overall...I'm blessed." Quinn sincerely spoke, beginning to tear up slightly.
"Well, Quinn, it just so has it, we happen to have another blessing for you. We have the rest of The Fashion Club right here in the studio! Oh, girls?" the host announced.
"You didn't!" Quinn gasped.
The girls all went up to greet and hug each other.
"I missed you guys." Quinn sobbed.
"It's so good to see you after all these years." Stacy sobbed as well.
"We missed you toooo..." Tiffany said in her usual tone.
"And oh, looks like we've got a caller coming in." the host told.
"Hi, Sandi Griffin here. Long time viewer, first time caller." Sandi transmitted over the hotline.
"Sandi?" Quinn orated, flabbergasted.
"Hey Quinn. Hey girls. I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you guys, I'm currently in Switzerland. Say, when I come back stateside, how's about the original Fashion Club have one more show? Like, one last hurrah?" Sandi asked.
"...hmm, well what do you think, chicas?" Quinn turned to the two.
They shook their heads in agreement.
"There you have it folks! One last show by The Fashion Club, they haven't played together in ten years! History is being made right here America!" the host exclaimed.
The Fashion Club did play their last reunion show in a sold out Madison Square Garden. Afterwards, they were presented with their first Glammy, an honorary award for contribution to the music industry, then much later subsequently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Sandi, Quinn, Stacy and Tiffany are still friends to this day.
The End