Ever wondered what connects the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, the TV series “Gossip Girl”, and the rock band The Pretty Reckless? It’s none other than Taylor Momsen! This seemingly innocent actress is actually a powerhouse frontwoman for an amazing band. With a striking mezzo-soprano voice that can blow you away, she draws inspiration from legends like Chris Cornell, AC/DC, and Shirley Manson. Who would’ve thought?
In 2008, The Pretty Reckless formed in New York. Two years later, they unleashed their debut album, “Light Me Up,” . This proved to be a game-changer for the band, as their hit single “Make Me Wanna Die” skyrocketed to success, accumulating over 100 million streams and still counting! The driving force behind this album was the addition of Ben Phillips, who joined as the band’s lead guitarist. His immediate chemistry with Momsen, provided the heartfelt lyrics, set the stage for their first album. Completing the lineup are Mark Damon on Bass and Jamie Perkins on the drums. Together, they create a unique sound that blends heavy metal, blues, and grunge.
Accompanying Evanescence on their global tour mutual respect was shown between Momsen and Amy Lee. Momsen expressed her admiration for Evanescence and that she was thrilled to be their opening act. While Lee praised Momsen’s exceptional vocal talent. One that she later used in the song Use My Voice on their 2021 album The Bitter Truth.
Second album, “Going to Hell,” was released in 2014 after signing with the Razor & Tie label hitting number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album draws heavy inspiration from Momsen’s Catholic background, as she mentioned that the heaven and hell metaphor has been a common theme in music since ancient times. The singles “Heaven Knows,” “Messed Up World (F’d Up World),” and “Follow Me Down” all reached the top of the charts. This marked the second occasion where a female-fronted band achieved three number 1 hits in a row, with the first being The Pretenders.
The 2016 release of their third album, “Who You Selling For,” didn’t achieve the same global success as its predecessors and successor. However, it showcased a raw and bluesy sound that I’ve come to appreciate. During their 2017 tour, the band had the honor of opening for Soundgarden, and little did they know it would be Chris Cornell’s last performance ever. As a tribute, they performed a captivating cover of Audioslave’s iconic track, “Like A Stone.”
After the passing of the veteran producer Kato Khandwala, the 2021 album Death by Rock and Roll was produced by Matt Cameron from Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. The title track became a huge hit, reaching number 1 on the charts once more. This achievement made the band the first female-fronted group to have 5 number 1 singles.
I’m thrilled that the band has been chosen to support AC/DC’s electrifying Power-Up tour in 2024! Being able to witness this incredible event first hand fills me with excitement. I firmly believe that the band’s journey is bound to be filled with even more remarkable achievements. Taylor’s unwavering determination to excel will undoubtedly propel the band to even greater heights.
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