Death Valley Girls

Death Valley Girls is an American rock band formed in 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The band consists of vocalist and keyboardist Bonnie Bloomgarden, guitarist Larry Schemel, bassist Sammy Westervelt, and drummer Rikki Styxx.

Death Valley Girls
Death Valley Girls in 2017
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresGarage rock, punk rock, gothic rock
Years active2013 (2013)–present
LabelsSuicide Squeeze Records
Members
  • Bonnie Bloomgarden
  • Larry Schemel
  • Rikki Styxx
  • Sammy Westervelt[1]
Past members
  • Patty Schemel
  • Rachel Orosco
  • Laura Kelsey
  • Alana Amram
  • Jessie Jones
  • Nicole "Pickle" Smith
Websitedeathvalleygirls.bandcamp.com

History

Death Valley Girls was formed in 2013 by Patty Schemel, her brother Larry Schemel, Rachel Orosco, and Bonnie Bloomgarden[1] after the group needed "something safe to do that wasn't AA".[2] Patty Schemel left the band after the release of their debut album Street Venom in 2014,[1] an album which received praise for its raw garage rock sound and what Flood Magazine described as "doom-boogie, psych-pop".[2] Laura Kelsey replaced Patty on drums for Street Venom.[1]

In 2016, the band released Glow in the Dark, with Alana Amram replacing Rachel Orosco and Jessie Jones joining the band as a co-vocalist.[1]

In 2018, the band began working with Seattle-based label Suicide Squeeze Records, releasing their 2018 album Darkness Rains and Under the Spell of Joy (2020) under the label. Thanks to these albums, Death Valley Girls received critical acclaim for their memorable stage performances and dynamic mix of garage rock, punk, and psych rock.[3] Under the Spell of Joy saw Rikki Styxx as the new drummer and Nicole "Pickle" Smith added as a bassist.[1]

In 2023, the band released their album, Islands in the Sky.[4] Brooklyn Vegan reported that Islands is "loaded with catchy psych-rock affirmations to the future."[5] This album also saw the lineup reaching the form of Larry Schemel, Bonnie Bloomgarden, Sammy Westervelt, and Rikki Styxx.[1]

Death Valley Girls have performed at several notable music festivals, including Desert Daze[6] and Levitation Festival.[7]

Musical style

Death Valley Girls' music is characterized by a blend of garage rock,[4] punk, psych rock,[8] gothic rock,[6] and elements of surf rock and 1960s girl groups. The band's live performances focus around Bloomgarden's vocals and on-stage theatricality.[9][3]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Street Venom (2014)
  • Glow in the Dark (2016)
  • Darkness Rains (2018)
  • Under the Spell of Joy (2020)
  • Islands in the Sky (2023)

EPs
  • Death Valley Girls (2013)
  • Electric High (2014)
  • Breakthrough (2020)
  • The Universe (2022)

Singles
  • "When I'm Free (Peaches Remix)" (2012)
  • "It's All Really Kind of Amazing" (2021)

References
  1. "Death Valley Girls Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. Menagh, Douglas (29 July 2021). "Death Valley Girls, "Street Venom" (Deluxe Edition)". FLOOD. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. Hodge, Neil (12 March 2019). "Death Valley Girls: Broadcast, Glasgow - live review". Louder Than War.
  4. Lewis, Richard (24 February 2023). "Death Valley Girls: Islands in the Sky (Suicide Squeeze Records)". www.beardedmagazine.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. Pearis, Bill (24 February 2023). "Death Valley Girls' Bonnie Bloomgarden tells us about the inspirations behind their new LP 'Islands in the Sky'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. Brown, August (11 October 2018). "Hunting ghosts with L.A. goth-rockers Death Valley Girls". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. "LEVITATION SESSIONS - Death Valley Girls". seated.com. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. "Death Valley Girls' magic powers & Fontaines D.C. cover Nick Drake". ABC listen. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. "Live Review: Death Valley Girls - Moth Club, London 01/03/2023". When The Horn Blows. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
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