It’s easy to mistake Death Valley Girls for a biker gang. First of all, the members of this snarling garage-rock quartet all look like they jumped out from the pages of Karlheinz Weinberger’s Rebel Youth (an amazing book documenting ’50s and ’60s juvenile gangs). And at any one of their shows, a row of ratty, raked-out choppers can be seen lined up in classic motorcycle-club formation.

Even their names are reminiscent of vintage biker B-movies: Bonnie Bloomgarden is the leader of the pack. Peering out from a straight line of jet-black bangs is a bass player who just goes by “Rocky”. Laura Kelsey (formerly of surf/garage girls The Flytraps) plays Mo Tucker meets Nick Knox style drums and Larry Schemel who played in the last incarnation of legendary L.A. punk pagans The Flesh Eaters.

Speaking of guitar, you’d be hard-pressed to find a meaner one than the opening riff for “No Reason,” the most menacing song from DVG’s debut album Street Venom. It basically sounds like Larry plugged his guitar straight into a hornet hive and then kicked it.

Tour Dates:

Oct 8 – Los Angeles CA – Bootleg Theatre #
Oct 10 – San Francisco CA – Bottom of the Hill #
Oct 11 – Portland OR – Dante’s #
Oct 12 – Seattle WA – The Tractor #
Oct 14 – Eugene, OR – Wandering Ghost
Oct 15 – Sacremento, CA – Witch Room
Oct 16 – Santa Cruz – TBA
Oct 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Cobraside w/ Gateway Drugs

# w/ Shonen Knife