The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless, an American rock band from New York City, was formed in 2009. The initial lineup included Taylor Momsen on vocals, John Secolo on guitar, Matt Chiarelli on bass, and Nick Carbone on drums. After recording demos in early 2009, the band opened for The Veronicas on their North American tour. Momsen subsequently collaborated with producer Kato Khandwala and guitarist Ben Phillips, leading to a revised lineup with Phillips on lead guitar, Mark Damon on bass, and Jamie Perkins on drums. The band signed with Interscope Records and released their debut album, “Light Me Up,” in August 2010. The album featured singles like “Make Me Wanna Die,” which also appeared on the soundtrack for the 2010 film “Kick-Ass.”

Their second studio album, “Going to Hell,” released in March 2014, marked a significant commercial success, debuting at number five on the Billboard 200. The singles “Heaven Knows” and “Messed Up World (F’d Up World)” both topped the US and UK rock charts, making The Pretty Reckless the second female-fronted band to achieve two consecutive number one hits on the Mainstream Rock chart. The band continued their progression with “Who You Selling For” in October 2016, which produced their fourth number one Mainstream Rock single, “Take Me Down.” The Pretty Reckless has consistently toured, including opening for Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, and Guns N’ Roses, and performing at festivals like Warped Tour, Download Festival, and Lollapalooza.

In 2021, the band released their fourth studio album, “Death by Rock and Roll,” which included collaborations with musicians such as Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. The title track became their fifth single to reach number one on the Mainstream Rock chart, establishing them as the first female-fronted band to achieve this milestone. A compilation album, “Other Worlds,” followed in 2022, featuring alternate versions and covers. The Pretty Reckless has been described as hard rock, alternative rock, post-grunge, and blues rock, drawing influences from bands like Soundgarden, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. They are currently working on their fifth studio album, “Dear God,” released in 2026, and also served as a supporting act for AC/DC’s Power Up Tour.