Rock & Roll for Designers - Pt 1

The Cherry Dolls. For those of you living off the grid - and for some reason using internet to read this - The Cherry Dolls are an established, Melbourne based band of whom have just released a super produced (Credit goes to Alex Markwell of The Delta Riggs), roots rock and roll album, Viva Los Dolls. Having played a show with them earlier this year I can confidently say that their album sound effectively captures their electric live energy.

After viewing the cover art and listening to the record, I felt compelled to discuss the visual design. The vintage cover – an extension of the band’s well written rock and roll - assists the music in transcending listeners to a simpler, earlier time. I was instantly immersed into the hypnotic design through vivid red and pink repetition of ye olde expanding ‘cherry’ illustration – demanding the audience’s attention in reading ‘The Cherry Dolls’, typeset beautifully in a Didone style typeface.

The lower case y’s super thin hairline, juxtaposed with a fat circle for a tail had me hooked before I even heard the music - likewise with the double r’s lower case spur. It took me a second to realise that the blue stroke protruding out of the ‘cherry’ was the fruit stem (derr).I thought this was clever and on second glance noticed an overlay effect allowing the hypnotic illustration to shine through the translucent blue.

Raw finishing touches add an extra element of personality and character to design. In this instance communicated brilliantly via the hand scripted ‘Viva Los Dolls’ overlayed a top of a vintage, weathered, vinyl cover. Little embellishments too like the ’Full Stereo’ copy - a throwback to stylings of retro album sleeves – add to the cover’s charm. Maybe one day they will release it in Mono?

Viva Los Dolls’ cover design has been exceptionally executed in encapsulating a vintage audio and visual aesthetic, capturing the bands classic rock influence. After hearing the album, I would highly recommend seeing The Cherry Dolls on the big stage. Envision limbs, panties and pint glasses being utilised as ammo for punters playing ‘catch’ on the dancefloor – the closest thing you could get to an old school, debaucherous rock show.

My standout tracks: Slave, Love.

The Cherry Dolls upcoming shows:

Friday September 22nd @  The Chippo Hotel (NSW)  -  https://goo.gl/ssdyVx

Saturday September 23rd @ The Workers Club, Geelong (VIC) – alongside my good friends, The Velvet Addiction - https://goo.gl/jy763n