Kiss & Shred: Marnie Stern

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GUITARIST MARNIE STERN shreds like Yngwie Malmsteen's cooler long-lost art-school sibling. Also, she listens to a lot of AC/DC and she has one of the guys from avant-garde rockers U.S. Maple playing in her backing band. So, if you are the kind of guy who wears hooded sweatshirts and found out about Sufism through heavy metal records, Stern is your Joe Jonas.

And now, if you're willing to part with a little bit of change, you might finally have a chance to have Stern give you a kiss. Prices vary: $1 per peck, $100 if you want some tongue. Have the money up front, please.

During a pair of recent California shows Stern opened up a for-profit kissing booth in the hopes of paying off a little bit of additional tour overhead. "We got a speeding ticket — a really, a really expensive one," Stern said. "We were fined, like, $300. We're just trying to get everybody paid.

"We had a bunch of kisses on the lips [$3], but no $100 for the tongue," said Stern. "It's not all about kissing. We also accept donations. We're just struggling."

Because she hasn't fully recouped the cost of the fine, the kissing venture will still be in action when Stern hits DC9 on Nov. 26.

But that smooch money might be better spent on something that will last a little longer — such as Stern's fine new record, "This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And That Is That" (Kill Rock Stars). Here, Stern finally allows her voice to drop down out of the high-range Yoko Ono register that she previously relied on, singing big pop hooks that make the songs easier to reckon with.

"I wanted it to be as anthemic and uplifting as possible," said Stern. "I had been listening to a lot of AC/DC and The Who. Those songs were so uplifting — they moved me and just made me feel great. Sitting in the house all day every day working on music, I don't go out ever or get any outside stimulus. Making a fun song helps me energize myself."

But right now, having slugged through several seemingly endless drives between tour dates, Stern is mainly relying on her dog to keep her spirits up. "I bring her on tour often, She's a morkie — a mix of yorkie and maltese," said Stern. "Can you imagine? You're sitting in a car for 14 hours and you look down and you see the cutest little dog."

And if you want to get a little tongue from Stern's dog, that can also be arranged. "She will also be participating," Stern said. The same rates apply.

» DC9, , 1940 9th St. NW; with Talk Normal, Exactly and Cannot Be Stopped, Wed., Nov. 26, 8:30 p.m., $12, 202-483-5000. (U St.-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Aaron Leitko