The Pretty Reckless

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The Pretty Reckless
The Pretty Reckless 04.09.10.jpg
The Pretty Reckless performing at the Warped Tour Kickoff in 2010
Background information
Origin New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres Hard rock, alternative rock, post-grunge
Years active 2009 (2009)–present
Labels DAS Label, Interscope
Website theprettyreckless.com
Members Taylor Momsen
Ben Phillips
Mark Damon
Jamie Perkins
Past members John Secolo
Matt Chiarelli
Nick Carbone

The Pretty Reckless are an American alternative rock band from New York. The current members are Taylor Momsen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums).

Their debut album, Light Me Up, was released on August 30, 2010 in the UK. They released their first single on May 13, 2010. The album spawned three moderately successful singles and its most notable, "Make Me Wanna Die", topped the UK Rock Charts upon release. The band released their second EP entitled Hit Me Like a Man in early 2012, along with two brand new music videos of songs previously heard on their debut effort. These releases coincided with their second tour.

The band embarked on a worldwide tour in 2010 in support of their debut album, the Light Me Up Tour, which concluded in March 2012. Four days after the end of their first tour, they embarked on their second tour, The Medicine Tour, where they appeared as a support act for Marilyn Manson and Evanescence.

Contents

History[edit]

2007-2012: Formation, The Pretty Reckless and Light Me Up[edit]

Main articles: The Pretty Reckless (EP) and Light Me Up
Momsen at the Warped Tour Kickoff

For two years singer, rhythm guitarist and Gossip Girl actress Taylor Momsen worked with several producers before meeting Kato Khandwala.[1] Momsen has said that she liked Khandwala because he was a rock producer as opposed to a pop producer.[1] Khandwala introduced Momsen to Ben Phillips[2] and the three of them began to write songs together. Three unnamed musicians were hired to form the band with Momsen.[3] The band were originally called The Reckless but had to change the name due to trademark problems.[4] The band played its first concert on May 5, 2009 at The Annex in New York.[3][5][6] After seven concerts the lineup of the band was changed.[3] The new lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass) and Nick Carbone (drums).[7] The second line-up of the band also played its first concert at The Annex on June 3, 2009.[3] They recorded some demos in early 2009 and they opened for The Veronicas on their North American tour.[7] In 2010 Secolo, Chiarelli and Carbone left the band.

At present, Taylor Momsen is the singer and rhythm guitarist, with Ben Phillips on lead guitar, Mark Damon on bass, and Jamie Perkins on drums.[7][8]

Momsen stated in an interview with OK! Magazine that the band signed with Interscope Records and would be releasing their debut album in 2010.[9] In an interview with MTV, Momsen reported the influences on the band to include The Beatles and Oasis, along with grunge band Nirvana. She also stated that her personal influences include Kurt Cobain and Joan Jett.[10] After the band announced they had signed to Interscope Records, two new recordings of demo songs ("He Loves You" and "Zombie") were posted on their Myspace.[11]

On December 30, 2009, the band released a new promo song entitled "Make Me Wanna Die". The song was offered as a limited-time free download for fans on their Interscope Records website.[12] The band launched "Make Me Wanna Die" on the soundtrack and it appeared in the end credits of the 2010 film Kick-Ass.[7] The song was the band's first single, and was released on May 17, 2010, with the debut album set to be released in August.[8] On April 9, 2010, they performed during the "Vans Warped Tour 2010 Kick-Off Party" and performed at The Bamboozle music festival on May 1, 2010. They played the entire Warped Tour 2010.[13]

Their first EP was released on June 22, 2010, with mixed reactions. Rolling Stone magazine classified the sound as "generic".[14] It contained four songs, three of which can be found on their debut album: "Make Me Wanna Die", "My Medicine", and "Goin' Down". The first single "Make Me Wanna Die" was released on May 17, 2010. A viral video was released to promote the single. The full record was released on August 31, 2010.

The song "Miss Nothing" was the second single to be released from "Light Me Up", on August 9, 2010. It was aired exclusively on the British radio station, BBC Radio 1, on July 22, 2010. The band introduced it as their next UK single after a show on the Warped Tour.[15] A video for "Miss Nothing" was released on July 20 on Vevo. The US release of Light Me Up was delayed, not being released until February 2011. The first single released in the US officially was Just Tonight, which was the third single released in Australia and United Kingdom among other countries.

2012 saw the release of two singles from the album, "You" and "My Medicine". Videos for both singles were released - "You" featuring Momsen in a small empty apartment playing the guitar, and "My Medicine" featuring Momsen at an out of control party as she sings about being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

2012-present: Hit Me Like a Man EP and Going To Hell[edit]

Main article: Hit Me Like a Man

Their second EP Hit Me Like a Man was released on March 6, 2012. It features three new songs, as well as live versions of two songs from their 2010 debut album, Light Me Up. On October 6, 2012 Frankenweenie Unleashed!, a soundtrack for the 2012 film Frankenweenie, was released. The Target version of the album includes a new song by The Pretty Reckless called "Only You." On October 12, a video was released in which Momsen speaks the lyrics to "Under the Water."[16] On November 1, Momsen announced through her Twitter page that their studio had been destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.[17] On December 11, The Pretty Reckless' fourth single "Kill Me" was released. The song was featured at the end of the final episode of the series Gossip Girl.[18]

On January 9, 2013, Amp Rock TV released a video of Taylor Momsen and Ben Phillips performing an acoustic version of "Cold Blooded".[19] On May 30, 2013 The Pretty Reckless released a teaser trailer for a new album. At the end of the trailer, it shows "Going To Hell" which represents a new album that will be released in 2013.[20]

Performances[edit]

The band opened the V Festival in the UK in 2010. The band embarked on a four-date UK tour starting in Glasgow, Scotland at the Barrowland Ballroom on December 13, 2010, supported by Francesqa.

In 2011, the band announced a tour running from early February to late March. The band appeared at the Download Festival in June.[21] On May 11, 2011, it was announced that The Pretty Reckless would be taking part in the Soundwave Revolution, an Australian music festival. This was later cancelled, but somewhat replaced by a 'mini-festival' that The Pretty Reckless were to be a part of called Counter-Revolution. However, The Pretty Reckless would later pull out. During the summer, the band performed in several European festivals such as Rock Am Ring in June, Optimus Alive! on July 8 in Portugal, Rock Werchter on July 2 in Belgium, Wireless Festival on July 3, Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on July 4 and T in the Park on July 10 in Scotland. On August 6, 2011, the band performed at the 2011 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, Illinois.[22] On July 27, 2011, Taylor Momsen announced via Twitter that the band will be touring with Evanescence as the supporting act during the fall of 2011.[23] They opened several Evanescence shows in October and November with two gigs at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo in London among others. On October 8, 2011, the band performed at the 2011 Tulsa State Fair in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On October 26, 2011, the band performed at Ritual nightclub in Ottawa, Ontario, with guests Static Revolt and The Escape Mode.[24]

In January 2012, the band released tour dates for its second headlining tour, The Medicine Tour. Directly following those tour dates, the Pretty Reckless supported Marilyn Manson on his current tour, Hey Cruel World... Tour. In July 2012, The Pretty Reckless arrived in Argentina for the first time. The band's show was on July 29 in Buenos Aires. In September 2012, The Pretty Reckless headlined the Bazooka Rocks Festival in Manila, Philippines.[25] The Medicine Tour ended with their performance at the "Bazooka Rocks Festival" on September 30, 2012.

Band members[edit]

Current members
Former members
  • John Secolo – guitar (2009)
  • Matt Chiarelli – bass guitar (2009)
  • Nick Carbone – drums, percussion (2009)
  • Anna Mountain - background vocals
Associated musicians
  • Ric Rocker - bass guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, drums, music writer, website boss, music video director/editor (2009)

Discography[edit]

Main article: The Pretty Reckless discography

Tours[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Ceremony Category Work Result
2010 Virgin Media Music Award Best Group N/A Nominated
Best Newcomer N/A Nominated
2012 Revolver Song of the Year "Kill Me" Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Nika, Colleen, Dirty Pretty Thing: Taylor Momsen, interviewmagazine.com, 23/8/2010, retrieved 4/2/2011
  2. ^ Interview: The Pretty Reckless, alterthepress.com, retrieved 4/2/2011
  3. ^ a b c d The Birth of a Rock Sensation, theprettyreckless.com, retrieved 4/2/2011
  4. ^ Copsey, Robert, "Taylor Momsen not keen on band name", Digital Spy, 17/5/10, retrieved 9/3/11
  5. ^ Lewitinn, Lawrence, "'Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen Debuts Band - And It Rocks!", spin.com, 6/5/09, retrieved 9/3/11
  6. ^ Hruska, Rachelle, "Taylor Momsen, aka "Little J", And Her Band "The Pretty Reckless" Rock Out At The Annex", guestofaguest.com, 6/5/09, retrieved 15/3/11
  7. ^ a b c d Leahey, Andrew. "The Pretty Reckless Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved December 13, 2010. 
  8. ^ a b Paul Lester. "The Guardian article on the band". Guardian. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  9. ^ "Taylor Momsen - OK! Magazine Australia". OK!. Northern & Shell. June 18, 2009 accessdate = September 29, 2012. 
  10. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-05-20). "'Gossip Girl' Star Taylor Momsen Says Rock And Roll 'Feeds My Soul' - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  11. ^ ""Gossip Girl" Star Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless Post Two Demos". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. August 18, 2009 accessdate = September 29, 2012. 
  12. ^ "Interscope Records page". Interscope.com. 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  13. ^ "Vans Warped Tour 2010: June 25 - August 15, 2010, official website of the 2010 Vans Warped Tour". Vanswarpedtour.com. Retrieved 2010-04-12. 
  14. ^ "Rolling Stone review". 
  15. ^ "Fuck Yeah The Pretty Reckless, "Miss Nothing" to be the next single in the UK". Fyprettyreckless.tumblr.com. 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  16. ^ "Taylor Momsen Naked In New Video For The Pretty Reckless (PHOTOS, VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. October 14, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012. 
  17. ^ "Taylor Momsen's Studio And Equipment Wrecked In Hurricane". Starpulse. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012. 
  18. ^ Hilton, Perez (December 18, 2012). "Gossip Girl Pays Homage To Sex And The City: The Music Behind The Finale!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved December 28, 2012. 
  19. ^ "The Pretty Reckless - Cold Blooded". Amp Rock TV. YouTube. January 9, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013. 
  20. ^ "The Pretty Reckless Start Teasing New Music". May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013. 
  21. ^ "Taylor Momsen's The Pretty Reckless to play Download", bbc.co.uk, 2/3/11, retrieved 15/3/11
  22. ^ "Lollapalooza 2011". Lineup.lollapalooza.com. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-09-13. 
  23. ^ "Taylor Momsen announces tour with Evanescence, AHN, 27/7/11, retrieved 31/7/11
  24. ^ Robinson, Joe (November 30, 2011). "Guns N’ Roses Tap ‘Gossip Girl’ Taylor Momsen As Tour Opener". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved December 8, 2011. 
  25. ^ {{|title=SMX Convention Center|url=http://www.theprettyreckless.com/events/detail.aspx?eid=76299&aid=1135&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=Concert&utm_content=eid_76299/%7Cpublisher=The Pretty Reckless|accessdate=June 13, 2012|date=June 8, 2012}}

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: The Pretty Reckless
The Pretty Reckless
  • John Secolo
  • Matt Chiarelli
  • Nick Carbone
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
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