"I thought he was a comedian; he thought I was quiet and cute," is how Kristin Welchez (aka Dee Dee Penny), the lead singer of Dum Dum Girls, sums up how she and husband Brandon (one half of Crocodiles) felt about each other when they first met.

First impressions are important and, now as bandmates, the couple hopes to impress a Japanese crowd when their Haunted Hearts side project plays live for the first time in Tokyo.

Haunted Hearts' debut album, "Initiation," was released earlier this year and pays homage to many of the pair's influences; from sleazy 1980s New York guitars to the baggy rhythms of The Stone Roses.

"It's certainly very different from Dum Dum Girls stylistically," says Dee Dee. "It lets me flex a muscle I love but haven't really used."

For this worldwide debut gig the duo will be joined on stage by Japanese indie act Mitsume, who will play backing band. Expect to hear songs from "Initiation," as well as a handful of Dum Dum Girls and Crocodiles hits. Mitsume and Domenic Palermo from the U.S. band Nothing, will perform opening sets.

Haunted Hearts will then celebrate their inaugural gig the following evening at trendy night spot Trump Room in Shibuya Ward with Dee Dee and Brandon set to play a special DJ set.

"I'm so excited," Dee Dee says. "I've been wanting to go to Japan since I was a little girl. I couldn't imagine a cooler way to go."

Haunted Hearts plays with Mitsume and Nothing on Sept. 25 at Shinjuku Marz in Tokyo (7 p.m.; ¥4,500 in advance; 03-3202-8248). For more information, visit www.alive.mu/event/detail/11.