On: January 6 at 10:59 AM
Above, local band Better Left Unsaid performs at the benefit show for Plastics member Terri "Temptress" Sterner at the Fat Cat in Modesto. At front, Terri's chemo drip. All photos by Ariel Zambelich
Terri "Temptress" Sterner felt a pull and a snap in her shoulder as she tussled in the pit with the drunken reveler.
She didn't harbor any hard feelings towards the girl. After all, as co-founder of the Northern California Plastics, a local chapter of an international organization of "professional groupies," Sterner, 34, knows the risks of elbowing one's way to the front row at a Modesto rock show. "It happens," she said happily. But her shoulder injury wouldn't easily be fixed.
The next day, her doctor had difficulty giving Sterner her latest round of chemotherapy. Her port, which infuses liquid drugs into her blood stream, had been damaged in the pit. Sterner had to schedule an operation to have it removed in the near future. She also is set to have a mastectomy in February 2009.
Sterner was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in June.
Treatment hasn't been cheap. Despite having PPO medical coverage through her husband's job, Sterner's out-of-pocket expenses are high. She's racked up thousands of dollars in bills, and status as a fixture of the local music scene doesn't come with health benefits.
But for Sterner, the chemo drugs have to share space in her veins with rock and roll. She and best friend Tiffiny "Treasure" Bardonner have been involved in local rock for a dozen years, and recently made their love for the scene official by establishing the local chapter of The Plastics, a social club for rocker chicks — sort a sewing circle that’s subbed felt and thread for vinyl and hair dye.
The flagship Plastics group, based in Hollywood and captained by rock columnist/all-girl band leader Lexa Vonn, framed their club as a resurgence of a groupie culture that had its heyday during the era of ’60s and ’70s rock.
Taking cues from the likes of Sid Vicious’ femme fatale Nancy Spungen, Pamela Des Barres and the GTOs, and that girl from the Led Zeppelin fish rumor, the Plastics have gained their own level of notoriety by basking in the glow of rock stars. They’ve been known to work as models, show photographers and back-up vocalists in addition to performing backstage escapades.
Sterner admits the exploits of groupies — romanticized in films like “Almost Famous” and documented in memoirs of women who devoted their nubility towards the goal of bedding famous musicians — aren’t always seen in the most positive light. The international organization allows members to have sex with bands, but Sterner emphasized that sex isn’t the focus of the local chapter. She takes her role in the Plastics — and her marriage — seriously.
“[Terri] is not only a very energetic person with a wonderful drive to help the musical community, but she has become a friend of damn near everyone she meets,” said DAM frontman Mike Allsup.
The NorCal group, Sterner asserts, attempts to maintain a level of respectability while adhering to the Plastics’ official code of conduct, “The Rules of Groupie Etiquette.” They’ve adopted relatively toned-down attire when compared with the dressing habits of other chapters. Its five members, who range in age from 24 to 34, look less like Satan’s burlesque revue and more like the Pink Ladies, complete with color-coordination and matching jackets.
They’ve passed out flyers, staffed merch booths, and worked hospitality at shows, but Sterner said the most important duty of the Nor-Cal Plastics is emotional support for the local music scene.
“We get up and dance, flirt, try to make the local groups feel like rock stars,” she explained.
For the past year, Sterner and Bardonner also have been booking and promoting rock shows at Modesto’s Fat Cat on a nearly full-time basis. It forces Sterner to balance her love for the rock scene with her duties as a stay-at-home mom.
“She puts so much time and effort into it, I think she could actually make money at it,” said her husband, Richard Sterner, 43.
But being a groupie isn’t a paying gig. Fortunately, when word spread that Sterner needed help with her medical bills, the local rock scene rallied.
A concert titled “Save the Boobies” was held in November to help raise money for Sterner. The lineup featured 11 local rock groups, including DAM, Tequila Mockingbird and About Face.
“When she sent out the request for bands to play a show to help pay for some of her medical bills, there was no hesitation,” Allsup said.
Sterner said the more than $1,000 raised at the show will be a welcome relief from some of her medical costs.
“I think it was a success just because of the way the music community came together,” said Timmy Head, 41, a promoter and member of Modesto rock band Slackenloader.
“Sometimes it’s hard to offer the right type of condolence or help; the best we can do for someone is help them embrace the good times.”
