The Pretty Reckless has had an unbelievable 12-year journey that’s brought them near-universal praise from top-tier media, including American Songwriter, Alternative Press, Bustle, CNN, Consequence of Sound, The Daily Beast, Forbes, Guitar World, Hustler, Loudwire, SPIN, V Magazine, Paper, Women’s Wear Daily and more. The band consists of Taylor Momsen (vocals), Ben Phillips (Guitar), Jamie Perkins (drums), and Mark Damon (bass). They have recently released their fourth album in 2021 titled, Death By Rock and Roll, and have landed at No. 1 on multiple sales charts, including Billboard’s Top Albums, Rock, Hard Music and Digital Charts, upon release.
Formed in New York City in 2008, the band initially made waves with their 2010 debut, Light Me Up. After countless gigs, the band released their second album, Going to Hell, in 2014. The album landed in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200, but it also ignited three No. 1 hits such as their Platinum-certified hit “Heaven Knows” and “Follow Me Down.” Their third album, Who You Selling For, secured them a No. 1 spot on the Mainstream Rock Songs Chart with “Take Me Down,” cementing them as the “first band to send its first four singles to No. 1 on the chart” according to Billboard. With over half-a-billion streams, the band has headlined countless sold-out shows, toured with Guns N’ Roses and many other heavy hitters. In 2017, The Pretty Reckless landed a prestigious tour, opening for Soundgarden in packed amphitheaters across the country. After the shocking and saddening news of Soundgarden’s lead singer, Chris Cornell’s passing, most of the tour was cancelled and the band disappeared from the public eye. Then, eleven months later, the band’s muse, friend and longtime producer Kato died tragically in a motorcycle accident, which sent the band into a downward spiral.
The band took their pain and grief and turned to writing songs to channel the emotional toll, and in late 2018, The Pretty Reckless returned to the studio to record. For the first time, Taylor and Ben co-produced with longtime friend Jonathan Wyman. After being in the studio for more than a year, the band introduced the album with the track “Death By Rock and Roll.” The song quickly rose to No. 1 on the rock charts, marking the band’s fifth chart-topper to date. It’s a feat that’s not been achieved by a female-fronted rock act in the chart’s history!