Dum Dum Girls Wrap Up Their Tour at Maxwell's (Photos & Album Stream)

Dum Dum Girls singer and guitarist Dee Dee.

California's Dum Dum Girls concluded their 2011 U.S. tour last night with a show at Maxwell's in Hoboken, and I've posted a few photos here. If you're not familiar with the band, they mix the girl-group vibe of the late 1950s and '60s with garage, lo-fi, and punk sounds, often with twangy surf guitar, reverb, and echo.

The band's second full-length, "Only in Dreams," came out on Sept. 27th on Sub Pop. Earlier this year they released the EP "He Gets Me High." (You can stream "Only in Dreams" at the end of this post, or at the Onion AV Club here.)

In addition to recalling the old girl-group days, the Dum Dum Girls actually have a connection to that era: Richard Gottehrer, who produced both of the band's 2011 releases, is a pop legend who co-wrote the songs “My Boyfriend’s Back” and “I Want Candy.” In the past he has worked with Blondie, the Go-Go's, and The Raveonettes.

Dum Dum Girls guitarist Jules.

Besides their nod to the sound of a bygone era, the band members have a distinctive look, too; a kind of girl-group-meet-Goth appearance featuring dark eye makeup and mostly black outfits with short shorts and black stockings. The band's leader (and singer and rhythm guitarist) is Kristin Gundred, who goes by the stage name Dee Dee; the other band members are referred to simply as Jules (lead guitar), Sandy (drums), and Bambi (bass).

The Dum Dum Girls played a number of songs from "Only in Dreams." They opened their set with the leadoff track, "Always Looking," and also played songs including the title song; their latest single, "Bedroom Eyes;" "Wasted Away," and the slow, sad ballad "Coming Down." Other songs from their older releases that they played: "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout," "He Gets Me High," and their great cover of the Smiths tune "There is a Light that Will Never Go Out."

Preceding the Dum Dum Girls on the Maxwell's stage were Crocodiles, a noise-pop band led by Brandon Welchez, who happens to be Dee Dee's husband (she came on stage to do vocals on one of their songs). Welchez played in an early lineup of Dum Dum Girls.

Dum Dum Girls will be playing in Europe in November; see their tour dates here. 

Dee Dee.