"Honey, pack up the kids - we're going on tour!" Kevin Lyman is at it again. The almost godlike creator behind the Vans Warped Tour, Mr. Lyman is trying to do this same this fall, with a different kind of appeal. However, instead of going out with 8,000 punk, hardcore, metal, and ska bands playing huge outdoor insanely large venues, his plan for the Girlz Garage Tour is just a bid different. This tour will feature a variety of groups, each fitting into their own unique category and sound, pretty much the only common thread that runs throughout the Girlz Garage bands is that they are either fronted by, or completely comprised of, the fairer sex. Okay, so there is one more similarity between all of these bands, there isn't really a headliner on this tour. All of the bands on this bill are just about on the bubble of breaking, some of which even have some form of name recognition, but there isn't really a band here that the crowds are going to be breaking the door down to see. This concept just about falls in line with Kevin's other tour, where the majority of the reason for going on the tour is for exposure.

Band: Northern State Girlz: Hesta Prynn, DJ Sprout, Guinea Love Sound: White Bred Rap Why You Might Know Them: The closest thing to an actual headliner these three rappettes were the talk of last years CMJ Music Marathon, and have been featured in Rolling Stone, Spin, Teen People, Entertainment Weekly, and Vanity Fair. Last Album Sounded Like: (Dying In Stereo) The Beastie Boys, 15 years later, from Long Island, and female. These girls were supposed to blow up last year, unfortunately their album, Dying in Stereo, wasn't as well received by the masses as it was by the critics. The Girlz Garage Tour should be their springboard to much bigger things. They will, however, never be able to escape Beastie Boy comparisons.

The Girlz of Northern State

Band: theSTART Girlz: Aimee Echo Sound: Dance Punk Why You Might Know Them: Their debut album Shakedown! was #7 on A.P.'s Top 25 best Albums of 2001. They have also toured with Weezer, Incubus, A.F.I., Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, The Used, Finch, and The Warped Tour. Last Album Sounded Like: (Self Titled EP) Garage Rock without the annoying screaming and the entire album of distorted vocals. Smart lyrics, and well played instruments that just rock. No one said that boys couldn't be in bands on the Girlz Garage Tour, in fact girls are outnumbered three to one in theSTART. The lead singer is the only reason this band is on the tour, but that ok. Their live shows are supposed to exude energy into the streets, and if they do they could be the best band on the tour.

theSTART

Brassy

Band: Brassy Girlz: Muffin Spencer, Karen Frost Sound: Hip Hip-Hop Why You Might Know Them: Multiple features in Spin, as well as mentions in A.P., Billboard, Paper, Time Out New York, as well as others. Oh, and the lead singer is the little sister of indie rock god John Spencer of JSBX. Last Album Sounded Like: (Getting Wise) If Billie Holliday rapped, this would be her band. They mix Muffin's unique voice singing and rapping over live instruments and it is one of the best albums I've heard in a while. Don't let this lead singer's musical sibling relation throw you - Brassy have their own sound, and it definitely doesn't make you wanna drink - unless it's a 40 oz.

Lillix

Band: Lillix Girlz: Tasha-Ray Evin, Lacey-Lee Evin, Louise Burns, Kim Urhahn Sound: Pop-Rock Why You Might Know Them: Their first single, "It's About Time" was stuck in my head, and I had never actually heard it before. Last Album Sounded Like: (Falling Uphill) Maybe it is just a coincidence, but Lillix appears to be Mavericks attempt at signing three Avril Lavignes, and letting them all hang out with Madonna. They are a pretty good pop band though, if you're into that kind of thing. The cover of "What I Like About You" is, at the very least, worth a listen. Sisters really do make sweet music together, and you might think they tend to attract a bigger audience if they are hot, and, well, in terms of this tour at least, this is the band that is most likely to have adolescent boys needing to wipe the drool from their mouths.

Those are the five bands that will be playing the whole tour. Picking up the opening spots on different legs will be:

The Peakshow: L.A. based and driven by charismatic chanteuse Holland Greco and beat brainiac Gabriel "Front Row" Rowland. The Peakshow's live show has been compared to N.E.R.D.

Candyass: Strength. Confidence. Sexuality. Fearless. Heartbreakers. Livin' life to the fullest as the life of the party. Street realness. Tough cookies. Candy Ass fills a gap in rock that's been empty since the Go-GO's.

Stiletto Rocks: A Salt Lake City based punk rock group made up of four spicy hot women. Their music is raw heavy and loud. The band formed under the premise of having fun and playing loud rock and roll.

Alastor: Alastor is one of the best-known alternative rock bands in Atlanta. They have been described as Atlanta's most powerful combo.

Visqueen: Visqueen describe their music as: Rachel: "As my anti-depressant. It lets me be sad but affects the portion of my brain that makes me move. It allows torture to feel more productive and exciting. Kim: KILLER and NOT the 'new Veruca Salt' comparison please! File under: ROCK"

As you can see this isn't your average tour. It also isn't going to be anything like the Pussycat Dolls tour or anything either. These bands, at the very least, seem to be completely devoted to their music, and not to getting a roar from the crowd for a cheap thrill. All in all, The Girlz Garage Tour is not a bad idea, but the only problem could be that the bands are a bit too divergent. Each band might be a stand out in their own genre, but none of them really seem like they will do too well crossing over into one of the other band's genres (I just don't see the same people that are rocking out to Lillix getting down to Brassy). The Girlz Garage Tour will kick off on October 20th in Massachusetts and continues through November 22nd.
Go to www.girlzgarage.com for a complete list of tour dates, and see when these lovely ladies will be coming to your town to kick your ass.

Jason Cipriano is a Senior Editor Editor. Contact him at jasonc@rockzone.com.