All the Pretty Horses

The quartet All The Pretty Horses operates under the guidance of transgender performance artist S. Grandell, who records and performs as Venus DeMars. Drawing from David Bowie and Sex Pistols alongside heavy guitar rock and flamboyant stage attire, the Minneapolis-based group coined its own term, “dark-glam,” for the resulting sound. DeMars assembled the lineup in 1995 alongside drummer Bill Bailey and bassist Ed Ford; their self-titled debut appeared before the year ended.

After Bailey’s departure, Matt Bachelor took over drums for the follow-up album Queens And Angels, which also introduced backup singer Jonnycakes. When a proposed contract with a German label collapsed, the band reconsidered extensive touring, prompting both Bailey and Batchelor to exit. DeMars recruited a new road unit featuring drummer Jendeen of the local Wolverines, fill-in bassist Pandora, and several go-go dancers doubling as backing vocalists. This configuration issued the third album, Ruin. By 2002 Eden Taylor had assumed bass duties, and the group maintained its cycle of live dates and recordings.