Bandmembers in Les Hell on Heels are Paula Monarch (lead vocals and guitar), Katie Rose (guitar and vocals), Chela LaRue (bass guitar and vocals), and Kristin Machynski (drums). The band released their self-titled album in 2004 on Bomp! Records. Les Hell on Heels is from Phoenix, Arizona, and the bandmembers had been in two earlier bands. Paula Monarch and Chela LaRue had been in a garage punk band called the Peeps; they released a well regarded album on Sympathy for the Record Industry Records in 2000. Katie Rose and Kristin Machynski were previously bandmembers in Tempe Tramps.
Writing for Allmusic, Ned Raggett says of the Les Hell on Heels CD: “If one word can cover everything here, it’s ‘swagger’ – songs like ‘He’s Alright’ and ‘Waste of Time’ could almost coin the term in both the singing and the brawling, rolling punch of the band (big credit to both Chela LaRue and drummer Kristin Machynski).” That’s not the only word Raggett introduces though; he calls the band’s music “snot-garage”.
On the second album by Hell on Heels, Dogs, Records and Wine, Kristin Machynski has been replaced on drums by Jessica Roe, and Helene 33 has taken over on keyboards; also, the band name has been shortened slightly.
(December 2013)
