Sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz, along with their childhood friend Jenn Alva, named their band Girl In A Coma [ tickets ], playing off The Smiths' song "Girlfriend in a Coma." So it must have been a huge thrill when Morrissey [ tickets ] himself called on the band to open for him during his 2007 tour.

This incredibly big break was seeded by a stroke of luck three years prior: while touring in the summer of 2004, a homemade demo made it into the hands (and ears) of Boz Boorer, Morrissey's guitarist and musical director. Not long after, the members of Girl in a Coma found themselves traveling to London to produce their first studio demo with Boorer.

Girl in a Coma has since signed with Blackheart Records, and is fresh off a supporting gig with Tegan and Sara. Keeping up the momentum, the girls are hitting the club circuit throughout the US with shows nearly every night from now until Nov. 15.

Yours truly caught Girl In A Coma's set at SXSW 2007 and took photos of the band in action.