Mydolls
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
| Website | www |
Mydolls is a rock group originating from Houston, Texas, established in 1978. The band’s members consist of Linda Younger (guitar, vocals), Dianna Ray (bass, vocals), Trish Herrera (guitar, vocals), and George Reyes (drums, vocals).
Formation
The inception of Mydolls dates back to 1978 when Dianna Ray and Trish Herrera started collaborating on songwriting, soon joined by Linda Younger. After cycling through several drummers, the role was permanently filled by George Reyes, Trish’s cousin, who contributed to developing their post-punk style influenced by artists such as Iggy Pop, Magazine, and the Velvet Underground. Both Trish and Linda employed unconventional guitar techniques—Linda played the upper three strings while Trish handled the lower three—resulting in layered sonic textures. George's drumming incorporated syncopated Latin rhythms rather than traditional rock patterns. Vocals were primarily shared between Trish and Linda, with Dianna providing chant-like elements and George offering occasional backing vocals. Their early musical approach preceded punk’s rigid frameworks, granting them creative liberty free from genre limitations.
Early years
After releasing their debut 45 rpm single In Technicolor (CIA, 1980), Mydolls toured London, where they connected with Mayo Thompson of Red Crayola and staff from Rough Trade Records. They also featured on BBC Radio's John Peel show. In 1984, the band attended the U.S. premiere of Wim Wenders’ film Paris, Texas at the New York Film Festival and performed at the subsequent after-party held at Danceteria. The group is seen performing "A World of Her Own" during a bar scene in the movie. Within Houston, Mydolls played a variety of venues including dance studios, art galleries, the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as traditional music spots such as Ale-house and Rockefellers. They shared stages with prominent local bands like Really Red and national acts including Minor Threat, The Cramps, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Their final performance before disbanding took place in 1985 at the Orange Show.
Tours
Mydolls embarked on tours through college towns and alternative spaces, notably completing a Midwest tour in 1983 known as "The Dead Armadillo Tour," which covered states including Ohio, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Missouri, and Michigan. The following year they launched the "Go to Fish Tour," performing across New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Phil Davis ("Feedback Phil"), their sound engineer originally associated with Houston’s influential punk venue Paradise Island / Rock Island, accompanied them to maintain sound quality during shows. Live board mixes captured in Newport, Kentucky, and Kent, Ohio were later included on their 12" EP Speak Softly and Carry A Big Stick.
Reformation
Kathy Johnston, spouse of Dianna Ray, joined Mydolls as a guitarist during their 1985 farewell concert and subsequently collaborated with Dianna and Trish in projects such as World War I (Women with Instruments), Black Dresses, and They Should Have Been Blondes. Following their reunion in 2008, Johnston continued performing with Mydolls until her passing in 2011 due to myelodysplastic syndrome.
In 2007, Grand Theft Audio issued A World of Her Own, an extensive anthology comprising two CDs alongside a 24-page booklet featuring lyrics, photographs, flyers, and liner notes. Mydolls reunited in November 2008 for a live appearance at Houston’s "Noise and Smoke Festival."
2011–present
In January 2011, Mydolls were highlighted in the publication Visual Vitriol: The Street Art and Subcultures of the Punk and Hardcore Generations released by the University Press of Mississippi. A comprehensive interview with the band was also featured in the January 2013 edition of the Maximumrocknroll fanzine.
Their appearance at Houston's Island Reunion concert in November 2012 celebrated the city's punk rock heritage with great success. By August 2013, Mydolls were honored as one of the ten founding inductees into the Houston Music Hall of Fame, joining notable acts such as Geto Boys, Gene Watson, and ZZ Top.
October 2013 had Mydolls performing at MEOW CON in Austin, sharing the stage with special guest Suzi Quatro. The following summer, they took part in the Urban Animals reunion event at Houston’s Numbers Night Club.
In spring 2015, Mydolls participated in the Denton 35 music festival alongside the British rock group the Zombies. That autumn, they released an eight-track CD entitled It's Too Hot for Revolution. Later that year, they performed at California's Fabulosa Festival held in Yosemite and opened for The Avengers at Leo's Club in Oakland.
Mydolls maintain a steady schedule of performances across both national and state venues. Since 2010, Trish Herrera and Dianna Ray have also contributed to the post-punk outfit No Love Less, collaborating with drummer David Ensminger.
Band members
- Trish Herrera – vocals and guitar, active from 1978 to present
- Linda Younger – guitar and vocals, active from 1978 to present
- Dianna Ray – bass and vocals, active from 1978 to present
- George Reyes – drums, active from 1978 to present
Singles and EPs
- "Nova Grows Up" / "Therapist", CIA Records 7" vinyl
- "Exorcist" / "Imposter", CIA Records 7" vinyl
- Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick, CIA Records 12" vinyl
Albums
- A World of Her Own, Grand Theft Audio, CD release, 2007
- It's Too Hot for Revolution, Betsey label, eight-track CD and digital format, 2015
Compilations
- "Soldiers of Pure War" featured on Cottage Cheese From the Lips of Death, Ward-9 label, 1983
- "Savage Song" included on Sub Pop 7 cassette, Sub Pop Records, 1983
- "Savage Song" also appeared on The Dog That Wouldn't Die cassette, CIA Records, 1986