Biography
The Clorox Girls presently include no women among their ranks and lack any real fascination with household cleaners, yet the group excels at crafting catchy, high-velocity punk-pop that has cultivated a devoted and expanding audience across the United States, Europe, and South America. Formed in Oakland, California, during 2003, the band originated when guitarist and vocalist Justin Maurer crossed paths with drummer Clay Silva inside a punk-rock squat dominated by bleak crust-punk residents. Disenchanted with the relentlessly dour and harsh sounds surrounding them, the pair assembled a project celebrating their shared affection for melodic vintage punk—taking the group name from a track on Redd Kross’ debut EP, issued while the act was still called Red Cross—alongside early rock-and-roll and clever 1960s pop from England and France. Justin’s girlfriend Jennique joined on bass, and the trio began performing in Bay Area venues. Following a brief West Coast jaunt, Jonny Cat Records issued the band’s debut release, a four-song 7-inch vinyl single. By the time the record appeared, Jennique had departed, with Morgan filling the bass slot before Zack Lewis quickly took over. The group then relocated its operations to Portland, Oregon. After extensive high-speed touring throughout the United States and Canada, SmartGuy Records put out the self-titled 2004 debut album, helmed by former Fastbacks frontman Kurt Bloch; its initial pressing sold through rapidly, and a second run was exhausted upon completion of the subsequent tour. The year 2005 saw the arrival of the follow-up LP This Dimension amid continued roadwork that reached Europe, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, accompanied by personnel shifts as Daniel H. Sayer assumed bass duties and Richie Cardenas became the new drummer. In 2006 the veteran independent punk imprint BYO Records contacted the band and arranged to issue its third album, J’aime les Filles—recorded and produced by Pat Kearns—in April 2007.
Albums