Pretty Girls Make Graves: Why The Post-Punk Icons Are Back And Better Than Ever In 2025
The iconic Seattle post-hardcore/post-punk outfit, Pretty Girls Make Graves, is officially back and actively performing, marking a triumphant return that has thrilled fans of the early 2000s indie scene. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the band has moved past their 2007 breakup, confirming their reunion status (active since 2023) with major festival appearances and highly-anticipated headline shows, proving that their intense, dynamic sound is as vital today as it was two decades ago. The buzz began with the announcement of their first headline show in 17 years, solidifying their status as one of the most exciting comebacks in underground rock.
The name "Pretty Girls Make Graves" is itself a piece of rock history, lifted from a track by the legendary UK band The Smiths, which in turn was inspired by a quote from beat writer Jack Kerouac's novel, The Dharma Bums. This depth of influence is a perfect metaphor for the band's own layered, art-punk sound, which blends raw energy with complex, angular rhythms. Fans are eagerly awaiting what this newly re-energized lineup will deliver next, especially after their commitment to performing their seminal 2003 album, The New Romance, in full at major events.
The Complete Pretty Girls Make Graves Biography and Lineup
Pretty Girls Make Graves (PGMG) formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2001, quickly becoming known for their intense live performances and a sound that defied easy categorization, mixing elements of post-hardcore, post-punk, and indie rock. The band’s initial run ended in 2007, but their reunion in 2023 has brought the core members back to the stage, cementing their legacy.
Core Members and Roles (2023 Reunion Lineup):
- Andrea Zollo: Vocals
- Derek Fudesco: Bass Guitar, occasional Guitar (a founding member, formerly of The Murder City Devils)
- Leona Marrs: Keyboards, Vocals
- J. Clark: Guitar
- Nick Dewitt: Drums
Key Biographical Details:
- Active Years: 2001–2007, 2023–Present
- Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Genre: Post-Hardcore, Post-Punk, Art-Punk, Indie Rock
- Record Labels: Lookout Records, Matador Records
- Former Member of Note: Nathan Thelen (Guitar, 2001–2004)
- Name Origin: The Smiths song "Pretty Girls Make Graves" from the 1984 album *The Smiths*.
The band's formation was a direct result of the vibrant, interconnected Seattle music scene, with Zollo and Fudesco transitioning from their previous work with The Murder City Devils. This pedigree immediately positioned PGMG as a group to watch, known for their aggressive musicality combined with Zollo’s powerful, emotive vocal delivery.
The Fresh Buzz: Reunion Shows and The 2024 Comeback
The most significant news surrounding Pretty Girls Make Graves is their official reunion and their return to the stage after a 17-year hiatus from headline performances. This comeback is not just a nostalgic gesture; it signifies a renewed creative energy for the band, who are currently listed as "2023–present" in their active years.
The first major announcement came with their scheduled appearance at the When We Were Young (WWWY) Festival in October 2024, where they committed to performing their second studio album, The New Romance (2003), in its entirety.
Following the festival news, the band confirmed a series of highly-anticipated headline shows across the US, further proving the reunion's seriousness. In March 2024, they announced shows in New York and Los Angeles, and a special hometown gig in Seattle at the Showbox in September.
This flurry of activity—performing their most commercially successful album, playing major festivals, and headlining shows—has reignited interest in their unique brand of dynamic, angular rock. The reunion has brought the band's name back into the forefront of alternative music conversations, introducing their influential sound to a new generation of listeners who appreciate bands like The Blood Brothers and other contemporaries of the era. This renewed focus on live performance demonstrates that the band's technical prowess and on-stage intensity remain fully intact.
A Deep Dive into the Pretty Girls Make Graves Discography
Over their initial six-year run, Pretty Girls Make Graves released three full-length studio albums and an initial EP, each showcasing their evolution from raw post-hardcore to a more refined, yet still urgent, art-punk sound. Their discography is a crucial element of their topical authority in the post-punk revival scene.
Studio Albums:
1. Good Health (2002)
Released on Lookout Records, this debut album immediately established their intense, frenetic style. It's often cited for its raw energy and the dual guitar attack, featuring tracks that blend the aggression of hardcore with the melodic sensibilities of indie rock. It successfully captured the excitement of their early live shows.
2. The New Romance (2003)
This album marked a significant transition, as PGMG moved to the prominent independent label Matador Records. The New Romance is considered their breakthrough, featuring a slightly cleaner, more focused production that highlighted the complexity of their songwriting and the interplay between Andrea Zollo’s vocals and Leona Marrs’ atmospheric keyboards. Tracks from this album are the focus of their 2024 reunion shows.
3. Élan Vital (2006)
The band’s final album before their initial split, also on Matador Records, showcased a further evolution into a darker, more experimental territory. Élan Vital is a French phrase meaning "vital force" or "life force," a fitting title for an album that delved into more complex rhythmic and structural arrangements, solidifying their reputation as a true art-punk ensemble.
Key EPs and Singles:
- Pretty Girls Make Graves EP (2001): Their self-titled debut EP, which introduced their sound to the underground.
- "Speakers Push the Air" (2003): A standout single from The New Romance, which remains a fan favorite for its driving rhythm and anthemic chorus.
- "Pyramid" (2006): A single from Élan Vital that highlights their later, more atmospheric sound.
The Legacy and Post-PGMG Entity Connections
Even during their hiatus, the members of Pretty Girls Make Graves remained active in the music world, creating a network of interconnected projects that further demonstrates their influence on the Seattle scene and beyond. These post-breakup entities are key to understanding their enduring impact:
- The Cave Singers: Bassist Derek Fudesco co-founded this folk-rock band after the PGMG breakup, showcasing a completely different, acoustic-driven side to his musicality. The Cave Singers went on to achieve considerable success in the indie folk genre.
- A Gun Called Tension: This was one of the side projects that members pursued during a brief pause in PGMG's initial run, often cited alongside Dutch Dub as a creative outlet that allowed for experimentation outside of the band's core sound.
- The Murder City Devils: Both Andrea Zollo and Derek Fudesco were involved in this influential punk rock band before forming PGMG, providing a direct lineage from Seattle's garage-punk scene to the more complex art-punk of Pretty Girls Make Graves.
The reunion of Pretty Girls Make Graves is more than just a throwback; it’s a vital re-entry into the modern music landscape, bringing with it a rich history of post-hardcore innovation. With their commitment to 2024 festival dates and headline performances, fans new and old are finally getting the chance to experience the raw, unforgettable energy of a band that truly defined an era of dynamic, intelligent rock music. The "vital force" of PGMG is clearly alive and well, ready to make new history.
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