The Darts

Garage rock group

The Darts are a garage rock group formed in 2016, based between Los Angeles and Seattle. Their sound is described as a mix of garage rock, punk rock and surf rock, with a garage and psych horror punk edge. The group is a collaboration centred on Rikki Styxx, and the name is shared with other acts, including a British doo-wop group from the 1970s, but this version is the all-female US band.

Formation and members

The band forms in early 2016 when Nicole Laurenne and Michelle Balderrama decide to write together after following each other’s bands for years. The lineup includes Nicole Laurenne, Rikki Styxx, Christina Nunez and Michelle Balderrama. Laurenne has also been involved with The Love Me Nots, Motobunny and Zero Zero; Styxx has played with The Two Tens, The Dollyrots and Thee Outta Sites; Nunez has been in The Love Me Nots, Casual Encounters and The Madcaps; and Balderrama has been part of Brainspoon.

Recording and releases

The Darts begin with six songs, then record their parts separately, with Rikki Styxx and Michelle Balderrama recording in Los Angeles and Nicole Laurenne and Christina Nunez recording in Phoenix. Producer Bob Hoag then combines the material. This process leads to two 10-inch vinyl EPs built around garage riffs, girl-group harmonies, fuzz bass, Farfisa organ, heavy drum fills and a lo-fi to hi-fi sound. Their debut arrives in October 2016.

Live work and reception

The band’s first live performance takes place in October 2016. Songs including “Running Through Your Lies” and “Revolution” receive radio play, and “Take What I Need” is named “The Coolest Song In The World” by Sirius/XM’s Underground Garage channel. After the debut, the band signs with Dirty Water Records in London.