The last day of CMJ felt like a mad dash to the finish line as bands tried to cram in final shows amidst a horrible weather day. When you weren't getting drenched outside, you were sweating up a storm inside. After my showcase and visiting BV's last hurrah with Pete & The Pirates, I ducked into Mercury to see Sub Pop's latest signee, Dum Dum Girls.
If you mistaken these Los Angeles ladies for the Vivian Girls, I wouldn't fault you. Musically they are about 95% similar. It's the Shangri-Las redone for modern ears -- lo-fi sensibilities, classic rock feeling, echoing vocals, driving drums, strong guitars and songs that clock in at two minutes. If I could gauge a difference between the bands is location and Dee Dee Dum Dum voice is a tad on the sweeter side.
The look of the band is what's going set Dum Dum Girls apart from Vivian Girls and even Crystal Stilts. The Dum Dum prefer extremely short skirts, stockings and make-up over tight jeans, t-shirts and tattoos. With their mid-60s L.A. go-go girl look, don't expect them to move around much during their live shows.
With all this said, I have no complaints about their 25 minute set. I am sucker for their look and sound. There's no fussing around -- they are what they are -- and what they are is great fun. You either you get it or you don't. I am curious what they have up their sleeves for their debut on Sub Pop.
The line-up for this show features former Crystal Stilts and Vivian Girls drummer Frankie Rose, who in turn has a solo project of her own coming up. She certainly has a niche. She'll be filling in on drums for the Dum Dums east coast dates which continue for the rest of the week when they open for King Khan & The BBQ Show.
As a side note, Nick Zinner was there and it's funny how you react when you see a guy like him. At first I wasn't sure it was him, so you have to try and look without actually looking like your trying to look. So I asked Bill from BrooklynVegan to look instead and he confirmed. Then Amrit from Stereogum also non-scalantly tried to sneak a peak. Zinner is an unassuming guy, and I'm sure everywhere he goes he gets look because, well, he's in one of the most popular bands in the U.S. So I didn't bother him. Although, I did an interview with him three years ago for this space that I did a piss-poor job of conducting it.
don't trip on all the names you dropped in that review. sheesh.
Posted by: anon | November 03, 2009 at 10:02 AM