The Killgirls

Tue 28th Apr, 2009 in Features

In the lead up to the launch of their debut EP on the May 2 at the Queens Theatre The Killgirls invited fans to participate in ‘an experience’ via a Facebook account under the alias Jane Dohe. Fans befriended Jane, followed clues and exchanged information using mobile phones and the internet before being invited to pick up a ‘package’ at a popular Rundle Street fashion hangout Dangerfield. The package contained a “Where is Jane Dohe?” t-shirt and instructions about where they’d be met on Thursday April 9th at 7.45pm. As reported by concerned witnesses, selected fans were bound and taken away in a van by 3 masked men. It’s unclear what happened after that. It took Investigative Police five and a half hours to respond to a publicity stunt

What are the latest developments for The Killgirls? “We’ve been busy organising a CD launch people won’t forget, pissing off council chambers for putting up (too many?) posters and tip-toeing through mid-morning run ins with the Investigative Police.”

Is there a lot of pressure on the band with the release of your debut EP? “More excitement than pressure I’d say. We’re keen as fuck to start touring east/west/north, sharpen our sound further and continue to decipher the age old challenge: how do we kill it deeper and harder as a live band.”

The Queens Theatre is an interesting choice as a venue for the launch, don’t you think? “Yes, I think it’s a very interesting choice. It’s dripping with vibes direct from 1840 and looks awesome. By the time we’re finished dressing the old girl she’s going to be the dopest party address in Adelaide. Most venues are great for a Saturday night wiggle but May 2 at The Queens Theatre isn’t going to be your average pink shirt club night upstairs at your local dancefloor, it’ll be something far more….interesting.”

The “experience” sounds like a great way for fans to get involved, how did that idea come about? “We have been talking about giving people that come to a – œKillgirls show more than just a band for a long time; we wanted to give them an experience with energy, emotions and conflict. There’s a true relationship to be built between an act and their audience and we figured giving people anonymous internet relationship, a free t shirt and abducting them would fast-track that process. Nine Inch Nails and their genius Marketing/Promotion colleagues 42 Entertainment have executed similar schemes inviting audiences into the band’s world. By offering extra-curricular experiences outside a band’s performance, the audience can connect with the band on many varied levels, not just three feet below the stage at a venue.”

Is there a real buzz starting to emerge on Facebook and Myspace as a result of the “experience”? “If you look at The Killgirls Facebook group you’ll see a lot of Missing Persons Images have made it onto peoples profiles. We engaged five people over the internet through a fake Facebook account, abducted them, and dropped them into a listening party thrown for forty of our closest friends and fans. By the end of the evening everyone was on a solid Killgirls level and had their very own Missing Person’s Poster made for them in honour of the abductions. People have embraced the vibe by putting these pictures on their profile.”

How would you describe the EP? “It’s a searing square wave monolith with candy coating. It’s the harder edge of Indie Electro Rock oozing dance floor booty calls, its fun to turn up and up. And you?”. [I agree, check it out!].

Did it challenge the band? “The band is quite new really and had to go through a process of self understanding. All new bands have a time where they choose a direction that involves embracing a more specific style, often at the cost of a few good songs. This EP’s challenge was to swallow that pill, pick the five tracks that best represented where we were headed and start building our future.”

Do you think the sound will change much on the next recording? “I think the direction will be quite similar, but the next one will be more potent, stronger, more involved. People are reacting to our shows quite visibly and the plan is to distill that energy until someone pees their pants a lot.”

How has work been going on the next recording? “Lets just focus on burning down The Queens Theatre May 2nd eh?”

What’s next on the horizon for Killgirls? “Build the healthiest profile we can through killer shows and innovative audience interaction. Get crazy having fun being in a band and entertaining people. Write more tracks that make it tingle so bad you just gotta throw something heavy somewhere and tear it up in the kitchen. Put our vibes out as far as we can and see who’s feeling it……hello? ….More specifically, our first Melbourne jaunt is mid June supporting The Blow Waves at their CD Launch…perhaps at the Tote. Sounds fun.”

The Killgirls will be launching their debut EP at the Queens Theatre on the Saturday May 2 with a host of other fantastic local acts including Femme Fatales, The Touch and Kytes of Omar. Tickets are $10 at the door from 9pm.