DEATH VALLEY GIRLS BRING PSYCH SPACE PUNK TO MANCHESTER

LIVE REVIEW | DEATH VALLEY GIRLS | MANCHESTER YES BASEMENT by Lucy McLachlan

Sour grapes brought LA’s Death Valley Girls and their psychedelic space punk to the YES Basement in Manchester.

The band has a rotating touring line up with singer Bonnie Bloomgarden always front and centre on keyboards. Past members include Nikki Pickle, bass player for Frankie and the Witch Fingers with this tour featuring saxophonist Sarah Safaie bringing an extra layer to the group’s glowing transcendental atmosphere.

Support came from Berlin based Bella and the Bizarre, bringing vibrant and soulful 60’s girl group vibes. The daughter of psych soul and costume master King Khan, Bella doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sixties rock n roll garage punk and putting on a show. Giving the Star Trek themed guitar a rest, she disappeared to don a gold coin headdress and spent the rest of the set dancing, drawing everyone in with infectious energy.

Full of catchy, shimmery, witchy 60’s girl group chants and mantras, their last album was 2023’s Islands In The Sky, released via Suicide Squeeze Records. Tonight they play a set spanning their 5 albums, which was personally a set full of usual ow) but favourites. From 2016’s Death Valley Boogie to 2020’s The Universe Death Valley Girls, no matter what the line up, always look like they’re having the best time on stage. Introducing each member to a big build up “Heeeeeeeeeere’s Bailey!” Bella & the Bizarre crashed the front row to dance and sing along enthusiastically with Bloomgarden joining them.

Recently releasing a 7” vinyl featuring two covers: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Sisters of the Moon’ and Link Wray’s ‘Fire and Brimstone‘, both tracks resonate with a profound emotional weight when listened to in light of Bloomgarden experiencing the impact of the LA fires earlier this year. Although both tracks were recorded prior to the fires, they impact is still felt.

The atmosphere was electric, with a strong sense of unity among everyone present. The band invited the audience to join them at the merchandise table afterward for a casual chat and to sign anything they wanted using the numerous Sharpies they had on hand. Quite possibly one of the friendliest gigs, a sense of being a part of the Death Valley Girls community.

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