The members of Betty Blowtorch are half-kidding when they sing, “We’ve got no integrity/But we sure do look good.” In fact, the Los Angeles-based band is usually half-kidding. Layering screaming vocals over amped power chords, the all-female foursome’s big sound blends ’70s hardcore axe work with a punk aesthetic—part Joan Jett, part L7. What the group lacks in musical originality it makes up for with driving rhythms, clever hooks, and raw energy—plus an insatiable desire to have a raunchy, raucous good time. Such tracks as “Size Queen” (featuring Vanilla Ice) and “Hell on Wheels” delight in turning rock’s macho culture inside out through deadpanned sarcastic lyrics, while such songs as “Big Hair, Broken Heart” and “I’m Ugly and I Don’t Know Why” are flat-out jokes. But keeping tongue in cheek is risky; after 15 tracks, the jokes start to wear thin. When you keep making people laugh, it’s hard to be taken seriously. Contact: 310-360-6700.—WH
