Nita Strauss Reflects on Touring as a Teen: “We Made No Money, We Were Hungry and Tired”

Nita Strauss on Her First Tour: “We Made No Money, We Were Hungry and Tired”

Nita Strauss, a celebrated rock guitarist known for her work with Alice Cooper and her successful solo career, has opened up about the challenges she faced in her early years on the road. While she is now recognized as one of the most influential female guitarists in rock and metal, her journey to success was anything but easy.

During a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Nita reminisced about her first experiences touring as a teenager and the struggles that came with it.

From Small Gigs to the Road

Before her rise to fame, Nita worked tirelessly to establish herself as a musician. Reflecting on some of the odd jobs she took to support her passion, she shared:

“I was working at the MAC make-up counter at the mall and taking any gigs I could get my hands on. I’d do shows around LA with little bands or play with singer-songwriters who needed an accompanist. I had one gig where I’d go to a hip-hop studio and play guitar riffs that they’d turn into beats and try to sell to rappers.”

One of her early ventures included forming a band called Kill Slowly, inspired by her long-standing dream of assembling a female metal supergroup. However, before that, she had already hit the road with her first band, Lia-Fail.

The First Taste of Touring at 15

At just 15 years old, Nita was part of Lia-Fail, an all-female band that managed to secure a spot on the Warped Tour after winning a Battle of the Bands competition. What started as a short run of shows quickly turned into a full-fledged tour:

“We won another Battle of the Bands—we did a lot of them—and the prize was to play four or five shows on the Warped Tour. So, in our infinite wisdom, we thought, ‘Well, we’re already borrowing a van and trailer – we should go on and do our own tour.'”

However, the experience was far from glamorous.

“It was rough. We made no money, we were hungry and thirsty and tired. Two of the girls were old enough to drive, so they took turns while the other two of us navigated. We had no crew members, it was just four girls slugging it out on the road. We were eating food from gas stations, cramming into hotel rooms, outrunning tornados…”

Support from Family, Hesitation from Others

Nita revealed that while her own parents were supportive of her musical ambitions, not all of her bandmates had the same level of encouragement.

“They were. They understood the idea of paying your dues. The other girls’ parents… maybe a little bit less! Ha ha ha! It was difficult, but it’s still the most fun experience I’ve ever had.”

Overcoming Shyness Through Music

Looking back, Nita described herself as painfully shy during those years. She recalled feeling like an outsider at school, often isolating herself to practice guitar.

“I was the kid at school who would go and sit by myself at lunch and play guitar by myself. I didn’t have a boyfriend until I was in my 20s. But I had a realization when I started playing shows at such an early age that my method of communication was playing guitar. That’s how I related to people. I could perform and emote onstage in a way that I was completely uncomfortable doing on a one-on-one basis.”

Coping with the Scene and Struggles with Alcohol

As a young musician trying to fit into an older crowd, Nita admitted to using alcohol as a way to feel accepted in the music scene.

“That’s also why I started drinking so much at a young age. Drinking meant I could relate to older kids on the scene. No one wanted to hang out with a 15-year-old girl who was brand new to the scene, but alcohol was the equalizer: ‘Yeah, she’s young but she’s drinking, so she’s cool.’ That’s how I started using alcohol as a crutch for so many years.”

A Journey of Growth and Success

Despite the hardships of her early years, Nita Strauss persevered and built an incredible career in the music industry. From playing small gigs and struggling to make ends meet to becoming the first female signature artist with Ibanez and touring the world, her dedication and resilience have made her a true rock icon.

Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians, proving that passion, hard work, and determination can turn even the most challenging beginnings into extraordinary success.