There is a tendency, I think, to label any loud band, any loud female band, as Riot Grrrl. Reducing a band to a genre they’re not and plugging your ears while they show you why they’re not that genre is damaging- both to the band in question and to the Riot Grrrl genre. That’s how you get New York Post articles about Olivia Rodrigo as the current face of Riot Grrrl. Spoiler alert- she’s not. Riot Grrrl was started as a movement, as a backlash, to the male dominated punk of the 90s (and 80s and 70s and so on). This label isn’t frivolous. It shouldn’t be tacked onto any female lead band you don’t have the time to examine in depth. I grind my teeth at night over this frequent misnomer so please know when I say this next sentence I mean it. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ debut album, Pretty Good For A Girl Band, is a Riot Grrrl masterpiece.
Teen Jesus consists of Anna Ryan (vocals, guitar), Scarlett McKahey (guitar, vocals), Jaida Stephenson (bass), and Neve van Boxsel (drums). The project started while the band was still in high school and still retains, a now polished version, of that childlike energy. Released in May on Domestic La La (run by Violent Soho’s James Tidswell), Pretty Good For A Girl Band borrows its title from the backhanded compliment often received by the young Australian band. Opening track and lead single “AHHHH!” gurgles with grunge revival riffs and gang vocals. “Up To Summit” takes a break from the wall of sound experience and cracks down on the melancholy instead. A valiant effort at variety, it unfortunately lags as the worst track on the EP. While the song isn’t necessarily bad it shrinks back next to the expertly crafted tracks surrounding it. “Miss Your Birthday” is memorable, not only for the tambourine, but the world historically sticky chorus. Don’t blame me if you’re humming it tomorrow at work. The album peaks with “Girl Sports”- an anthem for a band that’s on the precipice of being crowned Riot Grrrl royalty. It’s a snarling take down of every misogynistic prick with a PBR who slots in the word ‘girl’ before the word ‘band’. The crunchy guitars layered liberally on top don’t hurt either. “Bull Dragon” is the perfect closer. Threading in lyrical and instrumental throwbacks from earlier songs, “Bull Dragon” is the cool down you need after yelling for four tracks straight. The EP is short but boasts righteous lyrics and melodies that will be stuck in your head for days.
Pretty Good isn’t bogged down by self important lyrics or unnecessary extended instrumentals; it’s a gritty, guitar driven sing (or yell) along romp. It’s fun, unpretentious and ready to be cranked on your stereo. If Pretty Good For A Girl Band is a sign of things to come then Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers may be the next big Australian rock band.
