missy

Fronted by the charismatic Andrea Zollo, Pretty Girls Make Graves have been rocking in their hometown of Seattle for over three years. With an EP and three 7 inch releases, as well as one album on Lookout! Records during that time, their unique guitar-driven sound (often compared to that of At The Drive-In) has gained the band a loyal following.

This year, things have really taken off for them with the release of their third album, this time released through Matador, The New Romance. Thanks to the recent single "This Is Our Emergency" and almost constant touring, Pretty Girls Make Graves have gained success both across the US and in Europe, with mainstream music magazines singing their praises alongside other female-driven bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

For mp3's and tour dates check out the bands official website here

Stacy Riot: First of all, who came up with the name Pretty Girls Make Graves?

Andrea Zollo: One day Derek and I were listening to records and when we flipped through the Smiths first album, we started talking about what a great song title it was, and we agreed it would be a great band name. This was before the band had formed, and when we set up our first practice, we just kept calling it "Pretty Girls" practice. So we never even asked anyone if they liked it!

SR: How did you all meet and when did you decide to form the band?

AZ: We all met on different occasions; Derek and I had been in 3 bands together in the past and were trying to start something new. When Derek was on a tour with his old band the Murder City Devils, Nick was filling in on keyboards for their original member Leslie, and they started jamming at soundchecks (with Nick on drums) and decided that they wanted to play together. Derek said, hey I know a singer (me) and Nick said he knew a guitar player (Nathan). Then after playing togther for about a month, we decided to get a second guitar player, and Nathan suggested Jay. I guess that was about 3 and a half years ago?

SR: Have you been in any bands before PGMG?

AZ: Before Pretty Girls Make Graves, we were all in different bands. Derek and I both in Area 51, the Hookers, The Death Wish Kids. Derek in the Murder City Devils, Jay in Kill Sadie and Sharks Keep Moving, Nick in the Beehive Vaults.

SR: Growing up in Seattle, were you ever involved in the Riot Grrrl movement of the early '90's?

AZ: Growing up in Seattle, the Riot Grrrl movement was in full force while I was in high school. I went to Olympia almost every weekend. The Riot Grrl sceen definately inspired me to play music. My first band was called Appleseed, and the only recording around is on a Yo Yo comp called Periscope. If you are unfamiliar, every year in Olympia they had the Yo yo a go go festival and put out a compilation...

SR: Would you say you are inspired by any Riot Grrrl bands?
I was absolutely inspired by Riot Grrl bands; more so just because there were so many women playing music. It was great because it gave me the confidence to start playing music, even if I didnt know how.

SR: In case anyone reading this isn't familiar with your music, how would you describe your sound?

AZ: I never know how to describe our sound- I guess you'll just have to come see us and form your own opinion.

SR: Do you have a favourite track from The New Romance?

AZ: I don't have a favorite track from The New Romance, but I usually have a favorite to play- and that changes all of the time, depending on what we are playing a lot on tour. I always love to play Blue Lights and Something Bigger, Something Brighter...

SR: What bands are you liking right now? Is there anything you'd like to reccomend?

AZ: There are a million bands that I love, or would recommend, some of them are Mahjongg, A Gun Called Tension, the Gossip, Hint Hint, Anna Oxygen, Cobra High, etc... My favorite new release of the last 6 months is TV on the Radio.

SR: And now some random questions.... pick your favourite out of the following: Courtney Love or Brody Dalle?

AZ: neither

SR: Jake Gyllenhaal or Maggie Gyllenhaal?

AZ: I love the whole Gyllenhaal family.

SR: Christina Ricci or Elizabeth Wurtzel?

AZ: Christina Ricci - because I've only read Bitch and wasn't down.

SR: Dita Von Teese or Bettie Page?

AZ: Bettie Page - she still doesn't get that she's an icon.

SR: Gwen Stefani or Melissa Auf Der Maur?

AZ: Yikes. Gwen Stefani for her duet with Eve.

SR: And finally, is there anything else you'd like to add?

AZ: I say more ladies need to start a band. Who cares what you can and can't do. Just get out there and be visable. We have to change the ratio of women to men in music!