The Beat Dolls.

We're calling The Beat Dolls Austin's better-looking version of the Stray Cats.

That's them there. Left to right, we've got drummer Mike Reisch, bassist Barry John Anderson, and guitarist Felix Castillo. The chick on the far right isn't a groupie, oh no - That's none other than Angie Munsey; singer, guitarist, founder, and arguably the "face" of The Beat Dolls:

Angie used to play with with Dallas-based SkateAroundChippy, then formed The Beat Dolls here in Austin back in '09. Seems music is in her veins - Angie's dad is Jack Starr, who's "Born Petrified" LP was released by Norton Records.

She carries on the family fun rockabilly tradition, only with a more punk/ska flavor: Check out the familiar bedrocking sound of "Demons Inside Me" (track #2 below) to see what we mean.


Up top we compared these guys to The Stray Cats, but that's a pretty shallow comparison (The Beat Dolls are more fun and punk), but this was only for a frame of reference - Both bands generate a primitive rock sound, associated with a time period that's come and gone. But because that particular rockin' style is the bedrock (ahem) of the music you listen to today, it's All Good, and you'll like it. Give "In The Blood" (below) a listen, see if we're not steering you right. Then you gotta give "Walking Dead" a try, just to see where they're capable of going.

The Beat Dolls give you solid, sometimes frenetic, rock numbers; familiar enough in instrumentation and song construction to warm your jaded heart; skilled enough to slam dunk the rock-steady picking and drum pounding required for these kinds of numbers. Overall though, it's Munsey's vocals that push The Beat Dolls into unique territory - The juxtaposition of sweetly crooned feminine sounds with the electronic crunch normally associated with masculine bellowing will get, and keep, your attention (ask the One Eyed Doll's many fans if it ain't so).


They've been to lotsa Texas places; Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio, and, of course, our local establishments, having done The Dirty Dog, Red 7, and Flamingo Cantina, to name a few. You can catch 'em sometime soon at Emo's (July 18th), Trophy's (August 13th), and Hole in the Wall (August 19th). - Austin Independent Music

Their set was short and powerful, never stopping to take a breath. - - Tyler Two Groove, Tyler Two Groove Blog

"The Beat Dolls sing their crazy hearts out over punk guitar riffs."
- Flamingo Cantina

Austin’s The Beat Dolls take home this week’s TOW award for their song “Demons Inside Me.” Move over Joan Jett, if Angie Munsey was punkin’
and rollin’ back in your time she would have created some stiff competition for you. The band is making their way to The Moon Bar Sat. March 5th along with their brother-in-arms The Scary Mondelos.
While Angie’s vocals may stand out, the entire band makes their mark on this particular track. Barry’s walking bass line paired with Mike’s drums, which sound similar to the drum track on Blondie’s “Dreaming,”
make for a really smooth rhythm section. Add Felix’s extremely well-executed punkabilly guitar riffs to this mix and you got yourself a certifiable Track of the Week.
Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it, I like letting the music speak for itself…
- http://earthtojosh.com/

The Beat Dolls have a recognizable pop-punk/ska sound that resembles No Doubt before they became all compromised. Perhaps with the emphasis on close female harmonies the Dance Hall Crashers would be a better comparison. In any event, I like the band performances on their demo quite a bit. The bass is busy, melodic, and active, the lead guitar adds another dimension, and the vocals are well-written and well-performed. I'd like to hear sharper divisions from the rhythm section between the languid ska-feel parts and the louder sections, but this is a band with a good idea of what they want to sound like and enough original touches (the guitars get rowdier than either of their obvious inspirations) to keep them from coming across as copycats. - Western Homes

"It felt refreshing even though it was a billion degrees outside.The Beat Dolls are a solid punk rock group"-Tyler Twogroove - Tyler Twogroove

" With its high adrenaline tempos and power chords, it’s hard not to get worked up listening to this music. Tight harmonies, more than the recommended daily allowance of distortion and melodies that are fun to listen to abound in The Beat Dolls." - Paul Heingarten - Music and Band Ezine