Dum Dum Girls: “Lord Knows”
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From bedroom recordings and CD-R’s to Sub Pop’s storied stable of artists and indie über-cred, Kristin Gundred–better known simply as Dee Dee–has come a long way in the last three years. Dee Dee is the leader and driving force behind the dreamy, garage-pop inflected group Dum Dum Girls.
Way back in 2008, Dee Dee started making solo recordings from her bedroom. She dubbed the project Dum Dum Girls, a name inspired by Scottish, early alt-rock group The Vaselines‘ 1989 record Dum-Dum and the Iggy Pop tune “Dum Dum Boys.” The songs Dee Dee came up with were noise-drenched, lo-fi affairs, but they showed a spiky, pop prowess. Some of the recordings made their way into the world via singles and compilations, and eventually crossed the desks over at Sub Pop, who signed Dum Dum Girls in 2009. Dee Dee’s home recordings got some studio polish (but, thankfully, only some) via legendary producer Richard Gottehrer (whose career has stretched from the Brill Building to the punk era to today). The final project became Dum Dum Girls’ debut full-length I Will Be. For last September’s follow-up Only In Dreams, Dee Dee recruited a full band and The Raveonette’s Sune Rose Wagner joined Gottehrer in handling production duties.
On September 25 Dum Dum Girls will release a brand new EP titled End of Daze. Gottehrer and Rose Wagner are once again handling production, and one of the first songs we’ve heard from the five-song mini record is today’s song of the day “Lord Knows.” The track fuses some of the melancholic adventurism of Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine and the simplicity and innocence of 60s pop. The influence of the latter is unmistakable when the guitars drop into an instantly recognizable “Crimson and Clover” riff. There’s real pain in Dee Dee’s voice, and she sings her words like she’s doing penance for some mortal romantic sin. “I want to live a pure life. I’d say it’s about time. Don’t judge me for the things I’ve done,” go the opening lyrics. She lets it all out there on the first line. But whatever your transgression might have been Dee Dee, we forgive you, just as long as you keep making Dum Dum Girls records.
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