Pitchfork

Bianca Halstead, also known as Bianca Butthole, the lead singer and bassist of the L.A.-based rock band Betty Blowtorch, was killed in a car crash early Saturday morning. The band had played a Friday night show at a New Orleans club called Howlin' Wolf as part of their tour with Nashville Pussy. Bianca was the only passenger in a Corvette being driven by a man named William MacAllister. The car was reported to be traveling in excess of 100 mph when it went out of control on Interstate 10 somewhere outside of New Orleans and slammed into oncoming traffic. The driver was taken to a local hospital. Police believe that alcohol and speed were factors in the accident.

Betty Blowtorch, who recorded for Foodchain Records, suffered some internal problems on this tour when Bianca's two band mates quit the band in the middle of the tour. Replacement members were found, however, and Betty soldiered on. The band had an appearance in the film Bubble Boy last summer and were awarded Best Punk/Hardcore Band of 2000 by the L.A. Weekly. They formed in 1998, with Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses producing their debut EP entitled Get Off.