The Death Valley Girls 'Breakthrough' 7'' Vinyl release

The Death Valley Girls have released the first new material since their outstanding 2018 album Darkness Rains, it's a new single, and it's most excellent.  A tasty bi-coloured purple/black 7'' of covers. The A side's an interpretation of Atomic Roosters 1971 'Breakthrough' and on the B side a version of Daniel Johnston's Rock 'n' Roll/EGA.

Their take on Breakthrough is awesome, they've captured the original though definitely added something, it maintains a 70's flavour, though where as the original has a more 60's hangover/early proggy feel; the Death Valley Girls version has a more earthy late glam rock early proto punk feel to it, a touch of subtle menace too, nice. It starts off real slow, even making you wonder whether you've got it on the wrong speed, a repetitive organ chord leads, the drums then announce their presence and boom, in kicks the beat followed by a lovely driving riff, and then the final ingredient, Bonnie's wonderful vocals, I love that voice, at some points appropriately reminiscent of Jett or Quatro. They've more than done this Atomic Rooster track justice. And hey, in these dark times we could do with a breakthrough.

Rock 'n' Roll/EGA is off Daniel Johnson's 1994 album 'Fun'. I'll be honest now, I don't think I've ever heard of Daniel Johnston, so I gave his Rock 'n' Roll/EGA a listen before listening to the Death Valley Girls interpretation.  There are no doubt some similarities between them, I then discovered that the Death Valley Girls gigged with Johnson for a period, that explains that. Again though, Death Valley Girls have washed the track in their own distinctive wash, it's a touch faster, a touch edgier and heavier in a different way to the original, and again it has that 70's glam rock stomp feel to it. Bonnie's voice is perfect for this track too, beautifully reflecting Johnson's original. A really lovely rendition.

Being accomplished musicians (as is manifestly shown by their individual performances) together they create a well crafted and distinctive wall of sound; the Death Valley Girls sound is simultaneously beautifully produced and engagingly raw, I love that, I love a 'real' sound and they've got that by the spade. Check out their chorus harmonies too, groovy. Both these covers do their original sources justice and both go further, ensuring your reaction to both will be ''this is fricking ace!'' And I'll say it again, you've got to love Bonnie's vocals, there's just something so appealing about them, she's a very cool voice. This is, they are, recommended listening, check it out here or here if you're in the UK.

Death Valley Girls, Darkness Rains

When I'm listing to the radio I'll often note down bands that prick my ear, a couple of years ago whilst listing to Iggy's 6 Music show I jotted down the 'Death Valley Girls' and, as is too often my way, forgot about them. Then recently I came across a performance of theirs on KEXP (always worth checking out), and promptly ordered 'Darkness Rains' their 2018 album...that's me all over, always late to the party.  And wow, what a fantastic album, currently to be found spinning on my platter with great frequency. Death Valley Girls have a fabulous sound, reminiscent of when elements of the emerging punk scene met experimental rockers in the mid late 70's with some finding mutually fruitful ground, the proto-punk types, essentially it's quality rock and roll with a really nice punk atheistic running through it, and a sprinkling of psychedelia for good measure...I love it! It also reminds me, energy wise, of some the late 70's to early 90's Free Festival bands, there's that immediacy that's synonymous with the best of punk rock and DIY festy music. With the powerful rhythm section of Laura Harris on drums and Alana Amram on bass/vocals setting a solidly heavy foundation, the short punchy tracks really thunder along, their energy bursts right out of your speakers. It's an uplifting energy too. Larry Schemel's guitar is appropriately fuzzy and dirty, outstanding work, which jabs out at you demanding attention. And then there's Bonnie Bloomgarden's vocals, and well, man, she has a voice made for a band and songs like these, just frickin perfect. I find Bonnie's voice so engaging, and she's no slouch on guitar and organ either.  A classic four piece, well yeah, to a point. That's the core line up of the Death Valley Girls, but, man, there were so many others participating on this album: Nicole 'Pickles' Smith on bass, Laura 'The Kid' Kelsey on drums, Mark Rains on percussion, Mark Cisneros on saxophone, Sean Solomon on saxophone, Glenn Brigman on Organ/keys and Kisten Leonard, Alex James and Shannon Lay on vocals...and you know what, I have no idea who's doing what on which tracks, as there's no detailed legend. Baa, so what, all I know is that it all sounded excellent, and I say bravo y'all, I doff my cap, your gestalt creation is a beautiful thing. I have to say though, I'll single out the sax players for praise for their particularly marvellous performances, I do enjoy a bit of sax, they really brought something cool to the party.  As did Bloomgarden and Brigham's performances on organ/keys which also shone. Proficient musicians one and all, Death Valley Girls have done well to keep a raw and real feel to their sound, Darkness Rains is an outstanding album...check it out. I imagine they're flipping ace live too.