Pretty Girls Make Graves
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Andrea Zollo, Derek Fudesco |
| Defunct | June 2007 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2023 |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Pretty Girls Make Graves is a post-hardcore ensemble that originated in Seattle in 2001, taking their name from a track by The Smiths. Founding members Andrea Zollo and Derek Fudesco had previously collaborated in bands such as The Hookers, The Death Wish Kids, and Area 51, with Derek also contributing to The Murder City Devils. Shortly before the dissolution of The Murder City Devils, Derek and Andrea established Pretty Girls Make Graves alongside Jay, Nick, and Nathan. They appeared at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2004. The group declared their breakup on January 29, 2007, concluding with final performances in Seattle that June.
History
Initially, the band issued an EP through Dim Mak and Sound Virus Records before launching their first full-length album, Good Health, under Lookout Records in April 2002. Subsequently, they signed with Matador Records, releasing the albums The New Romance and Elan Vital. Guitarist Nathan Thelen departed in March 2004 to create Moonrats; he was succeeded by Leona Marrs (formerly of HintHint), who contributed as a multi-instrumentalist. On January 29, 2007, the band announced Nick’s exit and revealed that their May 2007 tour would serve as their farewell.
Post-breakup projects
Clark went on to form Jaguar Love alongside former Blood Brothers members Johnny Whitney and Cody Votolato, signing with Matador Records—the previous label of Pretty Girls Make Graves. In February 2009, Clark exited Jaguar Love, with a drum machine substituting for him during tours.
Dewitt explored a solo electronic venture named Dutch Dub and collaborated with Amy Blaschke in Night Canopy. Fudesco initiated The Cave Singers together with Pete Quirk and Marty Lund.
After his departure from Pretty Girls Make Graves, Thelen founded Moonrats in Seattle with Aska Matsumiya and Jason Echeverria before relocating to Los Angeles, independently releasing an EP. They followed up with a full-length album and a 7" on LA Records in 2008. Subsequently, Thelen partnered with Marcus Congleton of Ambulance Ltd to form Drug Cabin, producing two albums released in 2015 via 401K Music Inc.
Zollo performed drums for Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death and provided vocals for Deep Creep alongside Fudesco prior to leaving the music field to pursue a career as a hairstylist.
Reunion
In November 2023, Pretty Girls Make Graves were confirmed as part of the lineup for the 2024 When We Were Young festival, where they are set to perform The New Romance in its entirety. In February 2024, they announced a headlining concert at The Showbox in Seattle scheduled for September.
Members
- Current members
- Andrea Zollo – lead vocals (2001–2007, 2023–present)
- Derek Fudesco – bass guitar, backing vocals (2001–2007, 2023–present)
- J. Clark – guitar, keyboards, samples, backing vocals (2001–2007, 2023–present)
- Nick Dewitt – drums, samples, keyboards, trumpet, backing vocals (2001–2007, 2023–present)
- Leona Marrs – keyboards, accordion, backing vocals (2004–2007, 2023–present)
- Former members
- Nathan Thelen – guitar, backing vocals (2001–2004)
Studio albums
- Good Health (2002, released by Lookout)
- The New Romance (2003, under Matador)
- Élan Vital (2006, distributed through Matador)
Singles and EPs
- Pretty Girls Make Graves EP (2001, issued by Dim Mak)
- "More Sweet Soul" backed with "If You Hate Your Friends, You're Not Alone" (2001, Sub Pop)
- "Sad Girls Por Vida" backed with "The Getaway" (2002, Sound Virus)
- "By The Throat" backed with "Ghosts In The Radio" and "More Sweet Soul" (2002, Hand Held Heart)
- "Speakers Push the Air" backed with "Bring It On Golden Pond" and "If You Hate Your Friends, You're Not Alone" (2002, Dim Mak)
- "This Is Our Emergency" (2002, released by Matador)
- "All Medicated Geniuses" backed with "C-30 C-60 C-90 GO!" and "Magic Lights" (2003, Matador)
- "Pyrite Pedestal" backed with "The Lament of St. Bernadette" (2006, Matador)
- Live Session EP (2006, published by Matador)
Videography
- "Speakers Push the Air" (2002)
- "This Is Our Emergency" (2003)
- "All Medicated Geniuses" (2003)
- "The Nocturnal House" (2006)