Vivian Girls

The goal of this youthful Brooklyn trio, appearing alongside the Pseudo Dates and Eyes and Ears, probably wasn't to push the buttons of most male rock critics — but they've managed to do so anyhow for three important reasons. First, the Girls are all girls, with no male members to...

By Michael Roberts

April 30, 2009

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

The goal of this youthful Brooklyn trio, appearing alongside the Pseudo Dates and Eyes and Ears, probably wasn't to push the buttons of most male rock critics — but they've managed to do so anyhow for three important reasons. First, the Girls are all girls, with no male members to harsh the vibe. Secondly, Cassie Ramone, Kickball Katy and Ali Koehler sport monikers sure to turn on, respectively, punk-rock believers, guys who regularly got their ass kicked on elementary-school playgrounds and fans of people named Ali who hit things (Koehler is the drummer). And finally, the group boasts a patina of intellectualism — its appellation refers to a work by outsider artist Henry Darger — even as the songs on its self-titled album embrace primitivism associated with acts such as the Shaggs, the sort of group only rock critics remember. True, the songs are mostly minor — but that hardly matters when a band hits the Reviewer Trifecta.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

A message from Michael Roberts: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today