Dum Dum Girls to Perform at The Well

Fred Hernandez

The Dum Dum Girls will be entertaining audiences at The Well on Nov. 16. Inspired heavily by ‘60s pop girl groups and the lo-fi aesthetic that defined the indie landscape a few years back, the Dum Dum Girls rose out of Dee Dee Penny’s, a.k.a. Kristin Welchez, bedroom recordings. This sunny California goth pop group took its name from the Vaselines album, “Dum Dum,” and from the Iggy Pop song, “Dum Dum Boys.” Dressed in all vintage black dresses and black lace, the Dum Dum Girls perform stoically, keeping an air of sophistication, grandeur and a dash of stage fright.

Dee Dee first released music in 2009 under her own label, Zoo Music, after spending her formative years struggling with depression and anxiety. An introspective soul, Dee Dee explores romance, rebelliousness and feelings of sorrow throughout her melodramatic pop tracks. Her first CD of songs was followed by an EP on Captured Tracks and a 7” on HoZac. Her penchant for melodic garage pop earned her a spot on Sub Pop in 2009.

Her debut album, “I Will Be,” was released in March 2010 to much praise from the underground indie fans. With song titles like “Jail La La,” “It Only Takes One Time” and “O Mein M” (sung entirely in German), the album felt urgent and ferocious while maintaining a romantic tinge. Dee Dee enlisted new member including another goth-inspired musician, Frankie Rose, on drums. Dee Dee worked closely with Richard Gottehrer, who produced for the Go-Go’s and Blondie.

Frankie Rose eventually left the band in June 2010 to pursue her own musical aspirations and was replaced with Sandra Vu. “He Gets Me High” was released as an EP in 2011 and was recorded right before Dee Dee’s mother’s death due to cancer. “Only In Dreams,” DDG’s second full-length, was released in 2011 and was inspired by the loss of Dee Dee’s mother.

Two more albums were released, “End of Daze” EP in 2012 and “Too True” in 2014, with the latter again produced by Goettehrer. DDG is currently touring in support of their third album.

Dum Dum Girls will be playing at The Well on Nov. 16 with Tapioca and the Flea and Lowell as part of Red Bull’s 30 Days in L.A. Tickets are available for purchase here.