What could be better on a hot summer night than speeding down a wide Texas boulevard with your lady pals cranking 6o’s girl groups? As the weather starts to make everyone in Austin regress into a feverish summer childhood, these are the tunes I’m consistently rocking at full volume.

It’s tough for me to play favorites, but I probably listen to the Shangri-Las the most these days. Best remembered for their creepy classics “Leader of the Pack” and “Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand), I love these ladies for their “bad girl” ways. My personal favorite jam is “Give Him a Great Big Kiss.” The first line of the song “When I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V” later went on to become a minor punk rock anthem after the New York Dolls snatched it up in 1973. These ladies are the original riot grrls, no doubt about it.

Another classic group I’m loving these days are the Crystals. With possibly some of the weirdest, “cultiest” history of the 60′s, this group is perhaps best remembered for their professional partnership with infamous/genius record producer-turned-murderer Phil Spector. My favorite creepy track of theirs is the bizarro “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss),” a song that failed commercially but has achieved cult status over the years.

Last but certainly not least on my summer girl group playlist are the Ronettes, more proteges of weirdo producer Phil Spector. Known best for their gorgeous hit “Be My Baby,” these ladies epitomize the new bad girls of the 60′s. Who couldn’t fall in love with this sound and this look? Now if only I could master that beehive hair…