Dum Dum Girls
Encyclopedia
Dum Dum Girls are an American indie pop
band from California that formed in 2008. Their name comes from both The Vaselines
' album Dum Dum and the Iggy Pop
song "Dum Dum Boys". The band is the project of singer and songwriter Kristen Gundred whose stage name is Dee Dee.
After issuing several singles and EPs, Dum Dum Girls released their first album I Will Be
to critical acclaim in 2010. Their second album Only in Dreams
was released in September 2011.
and the Supremes, and a mother interested in The Beach Boys
. Her first musical endeavor was acting as the drummer and singer for the three-piece Grand Ole Party
.
When she decided to start another project, Dee Dee choose the name Dum Dum Girls although at that time she worked on her own. She quickly gained attention with her first songs and signed to Sub Pop
in July 2009. On that occasion, Dum Dum Girls expanded and became a four-piece band. The Dum Dum Girls are managed by Scott Cohen (music business)
who also manages the Raveonettes and the Deer Tracks.
Dum Dum Girls' debut album, I Will Be
, was released in March 2010. It was well received by critics. Pitchfork
described the songs as "genuine earworms, both unfailingly hip and often wonderfully associative". Dee Dee produced the record with Richard Gottehrer
who had previously worked with Blondie
and The Raveonettes
. Gottehrer also co-wrote the songs “My Boyfriend’s Back,” and “I Want Candy". The record included guest spots by Yeah Yeah Yeah's guitarist Nick Zinner on "Yours Alone" and Dee Dee's husband Brandon Welchez of Crocodiles on "Blank Girl". The cover of the album featured an old photo of Dee Dee's mother, who passed away from cancer in 2010.
The band then went on tour to support Vampire Weekend
, culminating with three nights in New York at the Radio City Music Hall
.
In 2011, they released the He Gets Me High
EP
which included a cover of "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
" by The Smiths
. They released their second album Only in Dreams
on September 27, 2011.
, Ramones
, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Jesus and Mary Chain
, Patti Smith
and Mazzy Star
among their major influences.
Lead vocalist Dee Dee has been inspired by a wide range of female artists including Grace Slick
, Siouxsie Sioux
, Billie Holiday
, Hope Sandoval
, Nico
, Madonna
and Courtney Love
.
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band from California that formed in 2008. Their name comes from both The Vaselines
The Vaselines
The Vaselines are an alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in 1986, the band was originally a duo between its songwriters Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee, but later added James Seenan and Eugene's brother Charlie Kelly on bass and drums respectively from the band Secession. McKee had...
' album Dum Dum and the Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
song "Dum Dum Boys". The band is the project of singer and songwriter Kristen Gundred whose stage name is Dee Dee.
After issuing several singles and EPs, Dum Dum Girls released their first album I Will Be
I Will Be (Dum Dum Girls album)
The album received generally positive reviews upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 79, based on 23 reviews, which indicates "Generally favorable reviews".-Track listing:-Personnel:*...
to critical acclaim in 2010. Their second album Only in Dreams
Only in Dreams (album)
Only in Dreams is the second album by Dum Dum Girls, and was released September 26, 2011.-Critical reception:The album received generally positive reviews upon its release...
was released in September 2011.
Career
Dee Dee Penny, better known as Dee Dee (real name Kristen Gundred), was raised by parents who had different musical tastes: a father listening to Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
and the Supremes, and a mother interested in The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
. Her first musical endeavor was acting as the drummer and singer for the three-piece Grand Ole Party
Grand Ole Party
Grand Ole Party was a three-piece band from San Diego, California consisting of singer-drummer Kristin Gundred, guitarist John Paul Labno and bassist Michael Krechnyak. They started playing in San Diego in mid-2006, having moved from the San Francisco area...
.
When she decided to start another project, Dee Dee choose the name Dum Dum Girls although at that time she worked on her own. She quickly gained attention with her first songs and signed to Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
in July 2009. On that occasion, Dum Dum Girls expanded and became a four-piece band. The Dum Dum Girls are managed by Scott Cohen (music business)
Scott Cohen (music business)
Scott Cohen is the co-founder of digital distribution company The Orchard. He started the company with music veteran Richard Gottehrer in June 1997. The Orchard is the largest digital distributor in the world with offices in 25 countries and a catalogue of over 2 million songs...
who also manages the Raveonettes and the Deer Tracks.
Dum Dum Girls' debut album, I Will Be
I Will Be (Dum Dum Girls album)
The album received generally positive reviews upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 79, based on 23 reviews, which indicates "Generally favorable reviews".-Track listing:-Personnel:*...
, was released in March 2010. It was well received by critics. Pitchfork
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
described the songs as "genuine earworms, both unfailingly hip and often wonderfully associative". Dee Dee produced the record with Richard Gottehrer
Richard Gottehrer
Richard Gottehrer is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive.-Career:Gottehrer came to prominence as a songwriter in the 1960s with his most notable songs being "My Boyfriend's Back" and "I Want Candy". As Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer , he wrote various songs including...
who had previously worked with Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
and The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes are a Danish indie rock duo, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments, and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals...
. Gottehrer also co-wrote the songs “My Boyfriend’s Back,” and “I Want Candy". The record included guest spots by Yeah Yeah Yeah's guitarist Nick Zinner on "Yours Alone" and Dee Dee's husband Brandon Welchez of Crocodiles on "Blank Girl". The cover of the album featured an old photo of Dee Dee's mother, who passed away from cancer in 2010.
The band then went on tour to support Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
, culminating with three nights in New York at the Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
.
In 2011, they released the He Gets Me High
He Gets Me High
He Gets Me High is the third EP by Dum Dum Girls, and was released March 1st, 2011.-Reception:The album received generally positive reviews upon its release...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
which included a cover of "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a song by the British alternative rock group The Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was originally featured on their third album The Queen Is Dead , and was released as a single in 1992, five years after The Smiths split up...
" by The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
. They released their second album Only in Dreams
Only in Dreams (album)
Only in Dreams is the second album by Dum Dum Girls, and was released September 26, 2011.-Critical reception:The album received generally positive reviews upon its release...
on September 27, 2011.
Influences
The group has cited The RonettesThe Ronettes
The Ronettes were a 1960s girl group from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. The group consisted of lead singer Veronica Bennett ; her older sister, Estelle Bennett; and their cousin Nedra Talley...
, Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
, Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
and Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
among their major influences.
Lead vocalist Dee Dee has been inspired by a wide range of female artists including Grace Slick
Grace Slick
Grace Slick is an American singer and songwriter, who was one of the lead singers of the rock groups The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship, and was a solo artist, for nearly three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s...
, Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer of the critically acclaimed rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees and of its splinter group The Creatures . The Banshees produced eleven studio albums and a string of hit singles including "Hong Kong Garden",...
, Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
, Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval
Hope Sandoval is an American singer-songwriter who is the lead singer for Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions....
, Nico
Nico
Nico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
.
Lineup
- Dee-Dee (vocals, guitar)
- Jules (guitar, vocals)
- Bambi (bass, vocals)
- Sandy (drums, vocals)
Albums
- I Will Be LP, HoZac (First Pressing), Sub Pop, 2010
- Only in DreamsOnly in Dreams (album)Only in Dreams is the second album by Dum Dum Girls, and was released September 26, 2011.-Critical reception:The album received generally positive reviews upon its release...
LP, Sub Pop, 2011
EPs
- Dum Dum GirlsDum Dum Girls (album)Dum Dum Girls is the debut EP by Dum Dum Girls, and was released 2008 by Dee Dee's own label Zoo Music. The release was initially limited to 100 pressings, but later re-pressed in CD-R format by Sub Pop and offered to those who pre-ordered their debut album I Will Be.-Track listing:All songs...
EP, Zoo Music, 2008 - Yours AloneYours AloneYours Alone is the second EP by Dum Dum Girls, and was released September 9, 2009. It was only available on 12" vinyl. It includes an early version of the title track, which also would later appear on their debut LP I Will Be.-Track listing:...
EP, Captured Tracks, 2009 - He Gets Me HighHe Gets Me HighHe Gets Me High is the third EP by Dum Dum Girls, and was released March 1st, 2011.-Reception:The album received generally positive reviews upon its release...
EP, Sub Pop 2011
Singles
- Longhair HoZac, 2008
- Format: 7", vinyl limited to 500. 75 are handwritten numbered by Dee Dee.
- "Longhair"
- "Mercury Mary"
- "Let it Be Me"
- Stiff Little Fingers Hell Yes!, 2009
- Format: 7", black/white swirl vinyl limited to 100. Silver 7" vinyl limited to 600.
- "Stiff Little Fingers"
- "Dream Away Life"
- Jail La La Sub Pop, 2010
- Format: 7", vinyl limited to 500.
- "Jail La La"
- "Play With Fire"
- Pay for Me Sub Pop, 2010
- Format: 7", split vinyl limited to 1000.
- "Pay for Me"
- "Before it's Gone" performed by Male BondingMale Bonding (band)Male Bonding is an English punk rock band. The group released their debut album, Nothing Hurts, on May 11, 2010.-History:Based in London, England Male Bonding is composed of John Arthur Webb , Kevin Hendrick and Robin Silas Christian...
- Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout Sub Pop, 2010
- Format: 7", vinyl limited to 500. 7" white vinyl limited to 200. Blue transparent 7" vinyl limited to 500.
- "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout"
- "Last Caress"
- Coming Down Sub Pop, 2011
- Format: 7" vinyl currently in print. 7" white vinyl limited to 700.
- "Coming Down (Edit)"
- "Crystal Baby"
Videos
- "Hey Sis"
- "Put a Sock in It"
- "Jail La La"
- "Blank Girl"
- "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout"
- "Rest of Our Lives"
- "Baby Don't GoBaby Don't Go"Baby Don't Go" is the fourth single from Fabolous's fourth album From Nothin' to Somethin. The video features Jermaine Dupri and is produced by him also. T-Pain contributes to the radio and album version...
" - "He Gets Me High"
- "Bedroom Eyes"