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These days, it seems no one is\u00a0impervious to nineties nostalgia, least of all Burger Records<\/a>, who release Whoop Dee Doo<\/em>\u00a0on July 29th, the\u00a0first album of new material from grunge-pop aficionados The Muffs in ten years. The three-piece, consisting of lead singer\/songwriter\/guitarist Kim Shattuck, bassist Ronnie Barnett, and drummer Criss Crass, is scheduled for several West Coast Burger-sponsored bashes, including this past weekend’s Burger Beach Party USA\u00a0at the Del Monte Speakeasy located in the heart of Venice.<\/p>\n

Arriving a bit late for sets from labelmates\u00a0Audacity, The Tyde, The Aquadolls, and Collen Green, my peers and I descended\u00a0into the dimly lit bar decorated with twenties style lamps and red leather couches. The crowd consisted of people of all different ages, sporting every style from summertime surf grunge to bohemian fifty-year old mom swag. Once The Muffs took the stage it became clear that they’re touring veterans; you could tell immediately that they have been performing together for years. Perhaps best known for having had their cover of \u201cKids In America\u201d (originally by Kim Wilde) featured in one of my most favorite movies, Clueless<\/em>, the band has gone through numerous lineups\u00a0and released five records via\u00a0Warner Bros. and Reprise Records, but have always retained a bouncy, feel-good vibe.<\/p>\n

Kim had a huge smile on her face the whole show, aggressively singing upbeat surfer rock songs to a crowd of moshing admirers. Their new material, much in the vein of their early catalogue, is comprised of perfect riffs made with power chords we all know and love, hard hitting bass lines, and drum beats that make for some truly inspired head-banging. Though The Muffs\u2019 set was about 45 minutes long, it felt like only fifteen minutes in which both the band and their audience had a blast. Kim\u2019s banter in between songs consisted of making fart jokes and recalling times on past tours where she \u201cmade out with a lot of girls.\u201d Their onstage presence perfectly accompanied their clever, humorous, and emotion- driven songs, which made for an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying show. There’s no word yet on whether a national tour will happen, but The Muffs are playing a few more Burger shindigs, listed below. In the meantime, check out lead single from Whoop Dee Doo<\/em>, “Up And Down Around.”<\/p>\n