The Coathangers Are More Than A Girl Group With 60s Infused ‘Down Down’

The Coathangers 1

Starting up in 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, The Coathangers had very modest ambitions, playing no-wave and irreverent garage rock. But the trio, who comprise Julia Kugel on guitar, Meredith Franco on bass, and Stephanie Luke on drums (all three take vocal duties), were serious about their craft, and that dedication made for incredible live performances, as well as infectious records.

Still going strong ten years down the track, they have now expanded to touch upon classic rock, country ballads, and golden oldies pop, while their primary sound is attached to their jagged hooks and loud choruses which have been their signature since their early days.

‘Nosebleed Weekend’ is the band’s fifth album, and on it features their latest track, ‘Down Down’, which was recorded, along with the rest of the album, at Valentine Recording Studios, North Hollywood, with Nic Jodoin.

“The Beach Boys and Bing Crosby both recorded there!” Kugel says excitedly. “It was an amazing experience, not to mention a ghostly one too. The studio had been custom built by Jimmy Valentine and he was very protective of his passion. It sounds weird, but his spirit was there, checking in on us and fucking with us a bit.”

‘Down Down’ is very 60s influenced but also contains an attachment to the band’s punk roots, with a gutsy grunge feel about it. The video, made by Matt Odom, owes as much to vintage TV performances of 60s girls groups such as The Shirelles, as it does to the grunge stylings of Nirvana, and more recent punk artists. The video starts off with the girls dancing 60s style on platforms, then suddenly, the beat drops and we’re transported to the sort of crowded garage-rock venue that The Coathangers usually play, and the band, in their element, whip the crowd into a frenzy.

You can buy, ‘Down Down’, as well as ‘Nosebleed Weekend’, from their label, Suicide Squeeze Records. The Coathangers are on tour across the US before moving on to Australia and New Zealand – catch them at the following dates and venues:

TUE JUL 12 – New York NY, Bowery Ballroom
THU JUL 14 – Boston MA, ONCE
FRI JUL 15 – Montreal QC, TRH-Bar
SAT JUL 16 – Toronto ON, Silver Dollar
SUN JUL 17 – Cleveland OH, Mahall’s
MON JUL 18 – Detroit MI, Marble Bar
TUE JUL 19 – St. Louis MO, Off Broadway
THU JUL 21 – Minneapolis MN, 7th Street Entry
FRI JUL 22 – Milwaukee WI, Cactus Club
SAT JUL 23 – Chicago IL, Beat Kitchen
SUN JUL 24 – Chicago IL, Wicker Park Fest
MON JUL 25 – Louisville KY, Zanzabar
TUE JUL 26 – Nashville TN, 12th + Porter

WED AUG 17 – Los Angeles CA, The El Rey
FRI AUG 19 – San Francisco CA, The Independent
SAT AUG 20 – Sacramento CA, Colonial Cafe
SUN AUG 21 – Reno NV, Holland Project
THU AUG 25 – Seattle WA, Neumos – Suicide Squeeze 20th Anniversary w/ Guantanamo Baywatch, Childbirth, Audacity (TICKETS)
SAT AUG 27 – Portland OR, Project Pabst

SEP 8-10 – Raleigh NC, Hopscotch Music Festival w/ Beach House, Erykah Badu, Television and more (TICKETS)
SEP 17-18 – Atlanta GA, Music Midtown w/ The Killers, Beck, Ke$ha and more
FRI SEP 30 – Auckland NZ, Whammy Bar

SAT OCT 1 – Christchurch NZ, Churchills Live
SUN OCT 2 – Wollongong AUS, Yours & Owls Fest
WED OCT 5 – Melbourne AUS, Northcote Social Club
THU OCT 6 – Sydney AUS, Newtown Social Club
FRI OCT 7 – Brisbane AUS, Black Bear Lodge
SAT OCT 8 – Byron Bay AUS, Great Northern

If you can’t see The Coathangers live, check them out online on their official website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Coathangers - Down Down (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

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