Luv'd Ones

The Luv’d Ones were an all-female American garage rock band in the 1960s. Led by singer/guitarist Charlotte ‘Char’ Vinnedge, the group released singles on the Chicago-based Dunwich Records. Vinnedge sang lead vocals and played lead guitar and the rest of the band was filled out by her sister Chris on bass, Mary Gallagher on rhythm guitar and Faith Orem on drumset. The band was mostly Vinnedge’s project: she wrote all of their songs, designed their artwork, fixed their equipment and even drove their van on tours.

Though they were never commercially successful and recorded only a handful of songs, The Luv’d Ones have developed a cult following in the decades following their disbandment; they are often praised for being ahead of their time, and cited as being both proto-punk and proto-feminist. Their sound is characterized by fuzzed-out guitars, strong rhythm section and Vinnedge’s icy vocals. The lyrics are decidedly dark and bitter; many of the songs deal with jealousy.