Ex Hex, Go Betty Go and The Shivas deliver a hat-trick of rock at The Roxy

Ex Hex letting it “Rips” at The Roxy

Who says girls can’t rock (said nobody ever)? I mean come on, they just wanna have fun. And fun they had last night at the famed Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip. Unfortunately, Cindy Lauper wasn’t in attendance, yet a full crowd came out to watch the up-and-coming three-piece rockaholics from Washington, D.C. rightfully named Ex Hex.

Firing off the night right was a local act from the inner confines on Los Angeles dubbed Go Betty Go. Formed in 2001, Go Betty Go has been on the scene for quite some time putting in work and watching it pay off. Typically I’ll give opening acts a few minutes of my camera but I literally was so enveloped by these punk-rocking chicks that I couldn’t set the damn thing down. From the guitar melodies to the way the drummer was completely off her rocker, these gals, all four of them, had my attention throughout their performance.

Go Betty Go

Portland, OR has been known for years to pump out quality musicians i.e. Elliot Smith, The Decemberists, and Everclear, to name a few. How about Jared, Eric, and Kristin? No? Doesn’t ring a bell? Maybe if I told you all three were in the rock and roll band The Shivas? Yeah? Starting to strike a note? Even if it doesn’t I highly advise you looking into these surf rockers. Their music is a cross blend, a hybrid between The Beach Boys and Nirvana, and numerous other acts. I mean dude… Female drummers have definitely been on the rise (and rather hot hot hot). Along with having an incredibly tight set, the band also provides the audiences with tunes that furnish the ability to shake, rattle, and roll.

Deciding that they had enough of the greenroom and all of its glory, Ex Hex made their way to the stage around 10:45PM. As the notorious Roxy Theater curtain rolled up into the rafters an absurd amount of applause rang throughout the audience. For a band that formed in 2013 with one full length under their belt, that ain’t too shabby of a welcoming. Based in Washington, D.C. these garage-pop hitting females know how to put on a show. Fronted by Mary Timony on the guitar, the band conjures up sounds that would be attached to such acts as early Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tom Petty and the Runaways, and a super dirty Joan Jett. As the trio played such hits as “Waste Your Time” and “Don’t Wanna Loose” of their debut album Rips, you could see the passion on each of the girls’ faces. It was like they were playing a hometown show in the comforts of a garage or teen center.

The Shivas

Unofficial “girls who rock” night was a success on the Sunset Strip. It goes to show you don’t need testosterone to rip a guitar, plug away at a bass, or beat the shit out of a drum set. I’m genuinely excited to see where each of these bands land in the next year or so. Heck, maybe one of them will get on a bill with Cindy Lauper…

Words & Photography: Timmy Farmer

Ex Hex