Diana Death fronts Chinese Rocks, the only Johnny Thunders tribute act on planet Earth, originally alongside two other local punk veterans, bassist Cherry Pits and drummer Gigo Marquez.

Based in Golden Hill, their setlist spans the late guitarist’s entire musical life, from the New York Dolls’ “Subway Train” (his first attempt at songwriting), to the Heartbreakers, to his untimely death during his solo career.

In late 2011, they went on a west coast tour opening for Billy Rath (the Heartbreakers), beginning December 29 at Bar Eleven (with the Cardiac Kidz) and continuing through January 2012. Around the same time, bassist Cherry Pits and drummer Gigo Marquez were replaced by Hector Penalosa (Squiddo, the Baja Bugs) and Reuben Kaiban.

By 2015, the lineup had evolved to Diana Death with Chris Iandolo (bass, vocals) of the Phantoms, Emily Connell (saxophone), and Dylan Lee Brown (drums).