The Tune Up Sessions: Jackie Chambers

A Tune Up Session with Jackie “Jax” Chambers (Girlschool, Syteria)

Brian Basher
Program Director, WTYU.rocks

We’re kicking things off The Tune Up Sessions with a true rock veteran—Jackie “Jax” Chambers of Girlschool and Syteria. With nearly three decades in Girlschool, countless tours, and a side project that blends pop-punk energy with melodic rock hooks, Jax has seen it all—and still loves every minute. We caught up with her for a quick-fire round of questions covering everything from Lemmy mishaps to her guilty pleasure playlist.

Did you ever meet Ozzy?

JAX: Briefly but not really properly—the others did. I’ve played with and met Dio, though.

This October marks the anniversary of your Girlschool debut. Does it feel like it’s been a long time?

JAX: It’s 26 years for me now—I started in 1999, so almost 27. Time has gone fast. I’ve known the girls 30 years this year (met them in 1995). I’ve loved it all and still do!

Have you ever read Girlschool’s Wikipedia page?

JAX: Yes, a long time ago—and most of it was wrong… lol.

Who influenced you to become a professional musician?

JAX: No one specific person or band—I just loved music and knew I wanted to write songs.

What song do you want played at your funeral?

JAX: “Disco Inferno (Burn Baby Burn)” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” Something funny. 🙂

What band is your biggest guilty pleasure?

JAX: Ooh, I love Nickelback—and for some reason they’re a bit of a Marmite band.

What’s your funniest Lemmy story?

JAX: He once asked me the time and, in a blonde, senior, comedic moment, I turned my wrist to tell him and poured half a glass of JD & Coke into his crotch. He didn’t even move. I was in hysterics… so funny to me, maybe not for him at the time!

Describe Syteria in five words.

JAX: Harmony, melodic, rock, pop, punk.

When will we get a new Syteria album?

JAX: The plan is for next year. We’re all writing now… or should be. 😉

If you could only see one band live—Girlschool or Syteria—who would it be?

JAX: That’s a catchy one—both bands are SO different. It would depend on my mood that day. If I wanted something catchy, fun, and singalong—Syteria. If I wanted something heavier—Girlschool.