The Pretty Reckless At The Wiltern: Review!

Stepping inside the Wiltern Friday night would give you no confusion as to who was performing.

Though Pretty Reckless fans here in LA have wide ranges of age and gender, every person in the crowd was ready for a real, gritty rock show- something not as widely demanded nowadays. As lead singer Taylor Momsen mentioned earlier this week, rock 'n' roll is currently in a transitional phase; you're not going to find the same widespread love of rock as you did in the 90's. 

But as I left the venue today almost deaf, it reminded me that rock (and leather jackets) never die. Spoiler alert: This show was a true gem. 

As soon as Momsen (and her luscious blonde hair) stepped out on stage, the band started with their first track on "Going to Hell," "Follow me Down." Immeditaley, I knew I was going to enjoy a sonically perfect show. Just like the album, the sound was immediatley crisp and Taylor's vocals were as spectacular as ever, especially considering she's been sick since the start of the tour.

Regardless, she came out on stage like a trooper and was nothing short of dynamic. Her physical presence can be described as sultry, as she performs the songs through her entire being- we can see her feel the music, instead of simply sing it.

The stage was Momsen's playground, as she utilized the space with grace and pizzazz. Fans got their fair share of Momsen facetime, as she made a point to kneel down and interact with the audience during songs. Even during their performance of "Going to Hell" and "Make Me Wanna Die," Momsen would extend her mic to the crowd during the songs- I always like it when artists pay homage to the fans in that way. "It was fucking written so you guys could sing along to the chorus," Taylor reminded everyone. 

Neon Tommy

The band chose a satisfying, varied playlist, as their focus was on the new album while playing hits from "Light Me Up" as well as some even older songs diehard fans would appreciate. In fact, there is a plethora of unreleased Pretty Reckless songs and covers found on youtube-- I would give "Cold Blooded" a listen (they gave an amazing performance of it on Friday). 

The band fed off their fans' energies, as every introduction of a song was welcomed with overwhelming applause. The band followed their first crowd pleaser with their second song of the night, "Since You're Gone." This is possibly the best breakup song ever, as Taylor Momsen sings about reminding an ex that her life "is moving on quite nicely, actually." 

Following that was "Sweet Things," an eerie fairytale-esque song about tempting a girl with candy and sin. Momsen is against telling listeners exactly what each song means/why it was written, but I gather this piece fits in with the whole theme of "Going to Hell" in the sense that evil sin and the rejection of innocense play a part in the imagery of the album. 

Speaking of the themes of the new album, Taylor's outfits and the stage design played perfectly with the tone of the album. With the symbol of a warped cross everywhere to be seen, the songs felt much more visceral- you could see songs through images and theatrics. They later performed "Dear Sister," immediatley followed by "Absolution." The titles of these songs alone should give you a sense of what type of topics we're dealing with here. 

Neon Tommy

If the setlist of the night lacked anything, it would be an opportunity to play an acoustic version of a song. There was a part of me that was hoping for a performance of "Waiting for a Friend" or "You." Don't get me wrong- every song was successfully picked but a little variety in sound during the show would have been nice-- a guitar solo never hurt anybody.

And who could forget the drum solo and tambourine-filled encore? Between the band's closing song, "Going to Hell," and the extravagant performance of "Fucked Up World," Pretty Reckless fans spent waiting period showing their appreciation for the band. Several chants and screams later, the band came back on stage for their final number. In the middle of the song, Jamie Perkins gave the audence a one-man drum show that was like any other. When the rest of the band came back, they created a party on stage. With a tambourine in her hands, Taylor raised her hands in the air and reminded us what an interesting world full of sex, love, and guns we live in. 

The Pretty Reckless blew the crowd away and reminded this music lover that rock is more than just an excuse for headbanging- it's a venue to explore any issues and stimulate thought through the art form.

"Rock 'n' roll is freedom. It's the freedom to fucking say whatever you want and there's nothing better than that," Momsen said. 

source: Neon Tommy

Soundcheck Magazine Reviews "Going To Hell"!

Opening with a sound loop that fans can only hope is Taylor Momsen, Going To Hell marks the long-awaited return of The Pretty Reckless. And they certainly haven’t lost their touch!

From start to finish the overall sound of the band’s second studio album is extremely similar to that of their debut, Light Me Up. The production and the balancing of this sound, however, has improved greatly. It would seem that The Pretty Reckless have now firmly found their footings in both the UK and US rock scenes and, by the looks of it, they don’t intend to go anywhere soon.

Choosing only a few tracks to demonstrate the genius of Going To Hell was an extremely tough challenge. Every track on the album is brilliant, and each has remarkably different musical features from the next. The opener ‘Follow Me Down’, for instance, is laced with edgy guitar riffs and simple non-harmonised vocal scores, whereas a few tracks in, during ‘House on a Hill’, Momsen’s incredible vocal range is explored through some truly anthemic harmonisation. The diversity of The Pretty Reckless really shines through throughout this, their second LP.

The third track – entitled ‘Heaven Knows’ – features a call and response chorus during which you can really imagine how insane this track would be to hear live. Simple riffs and basslines support Momsen’s voice and a pre-recorded ‘audience’. Again, later in the album we are shown yet another contrast in style: ‘Sweet Things’ introduces us to a far heavier, more hardcore sounding band, with screamed vocals and technically challenging guitar riffs entwined with screeching wah-wah effected guitar solos. Bearing in mind that ‘Sweet Things’ doesn’t even see us reach the midpoint of this album, the track makes for some incredible listening.

‘Dear Sister’ seems a rather strange track to include in Going To Hell. It’s calmer, more full of emotion and less focussed on the hard rock aspects of The Pretty Reckless. In addition to this, it’s only a mere 57 seconds in length. It’s a really beautiful track and the contrast to the rest of the album really makes it stand out.

‘Why’d You Bring a Shotgun to the Party’ has to be a stand-out track on the album. It really gets you moving, and the response it provokes is almost euphoric; it makes your hairs stand on end and shoots shivers down your spine.

The album is brought to a close by a track entitled ‘Waiting for a Friend’. This is another seemingly odd track. It features a very stripped back, almost folky style of music, with only Momsen’s voice, an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. Yes: a harmonica. It’s a strange but rather refreshing twist in the story of The Pretty Reckless and this album, as a whole, stands to demonstrate just how diverse this incredible band can be. It’s damn near perfect.

Going To Hell is released on March 18th via Cooking Vinyl.

source: Soundcheck

Zoiks!Online Reviews "Going To Hell" Album: Is Magnificent!

Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless is the best whore in rock. Of course, that's the evil talking, as well as what's responsible for turning Momsen into a legitimate rock star. After all, she was a seemingly nice child actress appearing in television shows like "Gossip Girl."

The band's sophomore effort titled "Going To Hell" is a compilation of all things bad ass. Musically, the album is top notch, but much attention revolves around the theme and racy cover image involving Momsen's nude backside.

So let's forget about her image for a second and talk about the album.

Fans who loved The Pretty Reckless' debut, "Light Me Up," will notice a slight change in sound. "Going to Hell" is much heavier and in your face, but the songs are still as catchy. The themes remain the same in the sense that lyrically the songs are adult oriented. However, the difference here is "Going to Hell" is a much more polished album than "Light Me Up." The songs are tighter, the lyrics seem more poetic, and Momsen's range has evolved into one of the great voices in music.

The rest of the members in the band deserve a lot of credit as well - Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, Jamie Perkins - as they stay under the radar giving Momsen all the spotlight but showing up on each track playing their parts perfectly.

At times, "Going to Hell" will make you pump your fist with songs like "Follow Me Down" and "Going to Hell," chill in a rocking chair with ballads like "Burn," or bob your head to tunes like "Why'd You Bring a Shotgun to the Party?" and "Fucked Up World."


Whatever the case, after listening to "Going To Hell," you'll probably want to take a shower or choke a priest. Whatever you decide, I'm sure Taylor Momsen won't care. And why would she? She's a motherfucking rock star!

"Going to Hell" is easily one of the best albums of 2014.

source: Zoiks! Online

The Pretty Reckless @ Culture Room: Concert Review!

Better than: Staying home and watching Gossip Girl reruns. 

In a world where pop stars and dubstep DJs reign king (and queen), Taylor Momsen is without a doubt going against the typical formula for "making it big." Some may argue that it's a gimmick and that she's just another angsty teenager. But even without the raccoon eye makeup and "I Fuck for Satan" shirts, the talent exists within her, and there is potential for sustainability. Whether or not you're a fan, it's safe to say that Taylor Momsen is at home on stage rather than in on our television sets. And last night's show at the Culture Room proved just that. (Read our interview with Taylor Momsen here.) 

After an extremely long break between sets -- 45 minutes, to be exact -- and a slew of crowd attempts at chanting the singer's name, the room went black and the voice of Orson Welles filled the room. Following the creepy yet fitting War of the Worlds broadcast, the bleached-blond singer in her signature goth-goes-stripper look appeared out of the darkness, greeted by ear-piercing screams. Wasting no time, the band went right into the highly controversial single "Hit Me Like a Man." 

 

Taylor's vocals are gritty and rough, channeling the likes of Shirley Manson, Joan Jett, and Courtney Love -- who she is often compared to. And if it were the '90s, Taylor Momsen might have been a household name among the other female rock vocalists. However, it's 2012, and with the existence of Avril Lavigne, Momsen is going to have to work extra hard to prove she's not just another fleeting Hot Topic tween. 

Seamlessly moving through such hits as "Zombie," "Just Tonight," and "Miss Nothing," the provocative frontwoman writhed around onstage, swerving her body like a cobra. Whipping her blond locks around like Axl Rose and Vince Neil, Momsen's stage presence is anything but robotic. At times, Momsen appeared to be in her own world, as though she were a puppet to the strings of her emotionally fueled lyrics. The Pretty Reckless live show is definitely all about Taylor, visually. However, what her two male counterparts -- guitarist Ben Phillips and bassist Mark Damon -- lack in stage presence is made up for by the musical force that flows out of them. The crowd hung on every word that the surprisingly chatty singer spewed at them between songs, often encouraging them to participate. And that they did, lyric for lyric, rarely missing a beat. 

"We have a special treat for you, Fort Lauderdale. We heard you were fucking crazy. So, let's get crazy." Momsen growled. "Where are all the sexy ladies? I've got some special ladies for you." 

The band kicked into the highly talked about track "Going Down" -- a song that basically alludes to a female going down on a priest after murdering an ex. Within moments, three scantily clad ladies appeared onstage. Although one girl was appropriately costumed in fetish gear, the other two were stripped down to bras and jeans, looking like they just stepped off "the corner." As the trio danced around onstage -- a bit awkwardly at times -- the temptress of a singer occasionally rubbed her body against them. Shockingly, nobody ended up topless. 

Despite the media's often negative portrayal of her, Momsen is not just another actress trying to be a musician. She's nowhere nearly as bratty or train-wrecking as the paparazzi makes her out to be. In fact, a caption under a photograph from last night's show described her as "struggling to stand on stage." Were they at the same show I was? At no point did the singer have any performance issues. In fact, some might say the band's set can come off as a little bit too rehearsed. But we have to wonder if that's due to the swarms of paparazzi waiting patiently in the crowd for something to go awry. 

Clocking in at just under a hour, the Pretty Reckless moved through its entire discography, leaving out maybe one or two tracks from its debut album, Light Me Up. During such fan favorites as "My Medicine" and "Make Me Wanna Die," Momsen stepped away from the microphone, bathing in the massive crowd sing-alongs. The up-and-coming rock goddess has a way of commanding the room's attention, and all eyes were on her during last night's sexually charged performance. 

Critic's Notebook 

The crowd: Sixteen- to 18-year-old Taylor Momsen look-alikes, gothy chicks, guys who were too old to be gawking and drooling over the singer.

Personal bias: I interviewed Taylor last week, and she was an absolute sweetheart. 

Pet peeve: Concertgoers need to learn to enjoy the concert instead of obsessively taking cell phone photos and video. See link. At one point, Taylor even told the crowd to "put your fucking cameras and phones away." 

Pet peeve number two: Making a crowd wait 30-plus minutes between sets is just obnoxious. 

Set List

Hit Me Like a Man 

Since You're Gone 

Zombie 

Miss Nothing

Just Tonight 

Going Down

Cold Blooded 

My Medicine 

Make Me Wanna Die 

Factory Girl 

Encore

Nothing Left to Lose

source: Broward/Palm Beach Music - County Grind

Live Review, 3/15/12: The Pretty Reckless Vies For Rock Credibility at Bottom of the Hill

By Jessica Hilo

You never know what mixed bag of crazy awaits at an all-ages concert, and last night's Pretty Reckless show at Bottom of the Hill was of no exception. The concert was an awkward unraveling of those vile days in adolescence, when fumbling for a sense of place and identity was de rigueur. The show wanted so badly to be a rock concert that, like so many plotlines in family sitcoms, it lost sight of what truly mattered: acceptance.

Presiding over the Hill's gothic-clad kingdom was Taylor Momsen, former Gossip Girl turned lead singer of the night's headlining act.

The Pretty Reckless has certainly paid its dues, with rounds of tours in Europe and a stint opening for Evanescence this past fall. In the two years since the release of the band's debut album, Light Me Up, singer Momsen has toured herself into a poised and practiced speed rock maven.

Momsen took to the stage last night like a modern-day Debbie Harry. Replete with Harry's wickedness and fire, but replacing Harry's subtle sexuality with her own sticky poison, Momsen sighed through the opening lines of the controversy-raising, "Hit Me like a Man": "It's a version of perversion that is only for the lucky people. Take your time and do with me what you will."
​
Adorned in pleather hot pants, torn nylons, and smoky eye-shadow, her long hair serving as a useful prop, Momsen carried the weight of a high-energy, no-frills, straight-up rock concert. Or, rather, she tried.

Two years ago, Momsen had the stage presence of a disaffected, funereal rock goddess, channeling Poe, Shirley Manson, and Amy Lee. Last night, she played the part of rock chic; which, to her credit, she did quite well.

"I don't know what the fuck day it is on the Medicine Tour," Momsen said, instigating a chain of F-bombs that later peppered her performance. An ominous smile gleamed across her face like that of the Cheshire cat -- and in point of fact it was the tour's fourth day.
​
It's one thing to play rock chic and another to be rock chic. What the Pretty Reckless needed to be last night was more reckless. The band was too polished, too commercial; lulling otherwise hard-hitting tracks like "Cold Blooded" into stage copies of their recorded tracks. As the night wore on, Momsen's vocals buckled and she continued to rely on the audience to carry her songs -- great for saving the voice, but bad for that devil-may-care rock image.

Still, there's something captivating about Momsen. Say what you will about her career, her salacious attire, or her potential daddy issues, the flighty little thing is carrying that band. She's the draw. Rather than hiding behind the artifices of a plasticine rock performance, Momsen should work with her imperfections. Besides, the band is best when it's not overproduced.
In many ways it was the opening acts that made the night. Nashville-bred Almost Famous cast-offs the Hollywood Kills, gave a pulsating, at-times macabre, but self-sustained set.
The Parlor Mob proved to be the night's diamond in the rough. This charismatic group of underdogs was once touted as likely to jump-start a back-to-basics rock revolution. Last night, it peddled out its version of thrash and grunge rock in disappointing tracks that were made all the worse next to songs from the band's wheelhouse of Zeppelin-flected blues.
​
The Parlor Mob was responsible for the evening's best performance, though: a gritty revisitation of "Hard Times," a song off their first album, And You Were a Crow. The Parlor Mob's latest release, entitled Dogs, is laced with the Sisyphean efforts of musicians so talented they can't see that their new artistic direction is a poor fit. Still, it takes three albums to prove the merits of a band; and this one is certainly worth the wait.
What we take away from last night's concert, as with the starry-eyed ideals of youth itself, is the notion that you can rebuild yourself, with enough grit and determination, into anything you so desire. Last night's stop of the Medicine Tour may have been a sour-tasting spoonful of artistic slop, but it leaves us with the promise of better times to come.

Critic's Notebook

Pretty Reckless setlist:
Hit Me like A Man
Since You're Gone
Zombie
Miss Nothing
Just Tonight
Goin' Down
Cold Blooded
Aerials (System of a Down cover)
My Medicine
Make Me Wanna Die
Factory Girl
Encore: Nothing Left to Lose

Favorite Quote: From Hollywood Kill's Twitter feed: "Brushing teeth in the venue parking lot. That's how you know we're broke and on tour."

Random notebook dump: Last night's audience, much like the show itself, was a mishmash of well-intentions. Packs of baby-faced fans and their hip-enough-to-chauffeur-but-not-hip-enough-to-chaperone parents rubbed elbows with lost metal heads, sad drunks, teenage Lolitas, and the sleazy men who hover over them.
source

Review: Taylor Momsen live in Melbourne!

The Pretty Reckless @ Thornbury Theatre, 29/02/12
Review: Jordana Borensztajn
Photo: Talitha Conway

Taylor Momsen is worth all the hype.

TV star turned grunge goddess Taylor Momsen lived up to all expectations during her sold-out Melbourne Sidewave gig.

In front of an intimate but very vocal crowd at the Thornbury Theatre, Momsen proved she isn’t just another run-of-the mill actress who traded screen time for stage time just for the hell of it.
The celebrity proved that she's worth all the fuss the media makes over her; she’s fierce, mysterious, passionate, bold and unafraid.

Momsen, who played the bratty Brooklyn-based character Little J in the hit American television show Gossip Girl, boasts music talent that is raw, unprocessed and all too rare in today's industry.

Her gravely vocals – reminiscent of one of the world’s most treasured gutter-mouths, Courtney Love, with a sprinkle of Blondie’s Debbie Harry – puts a whole legion of lip-syncing pop stars to shame.

As much as Momsen tries to detach herself from acting and escape the world of TV, after seeing her perform on stage last night, it’s clear she simply cannot let go of the actress within. And she shouldn’t try.

Being a great musician today isn’t just about having a great voice or an aptitude for songwriting. It’s about the whole package; what you offer on stage, what you offer off stage, your charisma, your controversy and of course, your level of intrigue. And Momsen is the real deal.

She’s splashed all over magazine covers, continuously serves up edgy and shocking behavior for eager journalists to stick their teeth into and has the ability to penetrate you so deeply with her vocals that if you’re not careful, she just might take your breath away.

To top it all off, she’s only 18. When Momsen started penning tunes, most kids her age were playing with Barbie Dolls and eating fairy floss.

Growing up as a child star, racking up years of screen time under her garters, has equipped Momsen with a set of stage skills that ensured she kept her Melbourne fans captivated and engaged from the opening track right through to encore.

Her intense facial expressions, her carefully coordinated movements that coincided with guitar strums and even her questionable rubbing, gliding and sliding up and down her band mates’ backs made for stage viewing that hooked everyone in, from start to finish.

The passionate Melbourne crowd showed Momsen that even without any Aussie visits, her following Down Under is dedicated and loyal.

On at least eight occasions through the show, Momsen pointed the microphone toward the crowd, and they chanted back every single lyric she was pining to hear.

Highlight tracks included “My Medicine”, “Going Down,” “Just Tonight” and of course, the band’s breakthrough single “Make Me Wanna Die”.

Despite the success The Pretty Reckless has achieved in the States and across the UK – touring with Evanescence and Marilyn Manson are pretty good indications of the direction they’re headed overseas – Momsen seemed genuinely grateful to be playing for a room full of Melburnians.

Whether Momsen’s offstage behavior is good or bad, reckless or conservative, or damn right messy and out of control, when a young artist has as much raw talent as she does, they should be able to behave in any damn way they want. All gossip, hearsay, headlines and rumours become irrelevant when this girl grabs the microphone.

Thanks to Jordana @ Nova FM.com.au!

REVIEW+ PHOTOS of The Pretty Reckless In Melbourne!

Review by Julia Foskey

It was a warm but rainy evening in Melbourne when I headed to the Thornbury Theatre to check out my most highly anticipated concert of 2012 -- The Pretty Reckless, aka Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl's band.

If you only know Taylor as Jenny from Gossip Girl, well you might actually have a bit of an idea of what she's like because as the seasons progressed her on screen persona changed to match what was going on in her life. So while she was a fresh faced, innocent girl who just wanted to be friends with Blair in Season One, by Season Three she was a wild child and queen of the Upper East Side with black eyeliner to match. And then she decided she was done with GG, and left to focus on her music.

I have been praying for a Pretty Reckless tour for the past year. Every time I write a story about Taylor's latest wild antics, I hope that she will announce a trip down under. I thought my dreams were coming true last year when The Pretty Reckless were meant to come for Soundwave Revolution, but my life fell apart when they pulled out. I never truly believed they would make it down under, but then they showed up on the Soundwave line up, and even better they announced a sideshow. And what a sideshow it was.

You could tell something exciting was happening on High St, because there were plenty of half naked teenage girls hanging around out the front and creepy old guys staring at them as they walked past. And there was a lot of black eyeliner, of which Taylor would have been proud.

The Thornbury Theatre is a great looking venue, but they must have very low capacity restrictions because the room only looked half full for the entire night, despite the show being sold out. After a great set from Heroes For Hire, we were ready for the main act. Taylor. And the three guys that make up her band. But mainly Taylor.

There were screams from the crowd when Taylor appeared, rocking a long white tshirt and a black leather jacket. Was she wearing pants? I don't know. My view was blocked. I don't think she was. Taylor doesn't do pants.

Taylor rocked her way through tracks from their album 'Light Me Up', including 'Factory Girl', 'Miss Nothing' and 'Nothing Left To Lose' which contains the lyric "I was only 19 you were 21", despite Taylor only being 18. Of course the single 'Make Me Wanna Die' attracted the biggest response from the crowd, but there was plenty of singing along to all the songs.

Taylor is known for flashing crowds, and the audience were definitely hoping to see a bit of skin. When a fan yelled out "Show us your tits" she quickly replied "Show me YOUR tits". While she talked to the audience a lot, she didn't flash us.

A highlight was probably the crowd getting in trouble for being too close to the stage, and constantly being asked to take two steps back. They never did. In fact they just pushed closer together in a desperate attempt to be near Taylor. Sadly no one managed to get close to her, and when a group of fans jumped on stage at the end of the show they were blocked by the band and security.

All jokes aside, Taylor is actually a legitimate rock talent. She has a great voice, interacts with the crowd, moves around on stage and really does perform well. I enjoyed every minute of the Pretty Reckless' concert, and just wish it could have gone a bit longer.

Next time they come down under I expect The Pretty Reckless will be performing at bigger venues, to massive sold out crowds. I can't wait. I will be there.

source: thehothits.com and The Pretty Reckless (Greece)

Lollapalooza Concert Videos and Reviews!

Taylor Momsen, frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, strutted onto the BMI stage sporting a sick leather jacket and boots that could kill a man. Her long, blond hair and killer style would have been a little shocking had I not be exposed to The Pretty Reckless prior to today... Taylor's Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is anything but a rock-and-roll badass. Despite being just 18 years old, Talyor is definitely a badass.

Momsen completely owned the stage, hypnotizing listeners with her raw, yet controlled vocals. Usually that kind of wailing grinds my gears a little, but not this time. Nope. I was totally into it. The Pretty Reckless has definitely the perfect balance of edginess and relatability. I'm not sure if that makes sense. What I'm trying to say is that, yeah, the music is a little harder than I normally listen to, but I can still rock out and sing along without feeling like a total poser. I'm not about to buy a spiked collar or anything, but I'll blast their music in my car...and in my room...basically anywhere with speakers and an iPod hook-up. And let's talk about the fans for a second--they're stoked on Taylor. I heard so many people shout "you rock!" which is obviously normal for a concert. But, in this case, I think the shoe fits. More specifically, the knee-high, black leather, mega-buckled, platform boot.

source: dramaticasthethunder.buzznet.com

Interview:


Performing Goin Down:

'Gossip' grrrl rocks - 'Light Me Up' Review

THE PRETTY RECKLESS
"Light Me Up"
3 STARS
Not since Saint Joan of Jett first grabbed a guitar has hard rock sounded this sexy. The Pretty Reckless, a quartet fronted by soon-to-be-18-year-old "Gossip Girl" star Taylor Momsen, is going to face a sea of skepticism, yet their debut record, "Light Me Up," is remarkably good.
The blond actress/model, who co-wrote all the songs, is a talented rock singer rather than just a wannabe star. Her snarly, deep voice gives her a just-right swagger, and sounds natural against the pedal-to-the-metal headbanging of her band.
Melodically, Momsen is a bit Tori Amos, and vocally, Fiona Apple. It's a great combo that gels on the fast rockers such as "My Medicine" and "Miss Nothing." Momsen and company are less effective when she gently coos through a ballad such as "Nothing Left To Lose."

source

French Fan Reviews 'The Pretty Reckless' gig at Vip Room (03/27/2011)

"The day before going to the show I talked with the girl who got on stage 2 days earlier and I asked her exactly what she did to get Taylor to notice her and pick her to get on stage. I left to go to the show with the idea in mind that I would be the one to dance with Taylor. While waiting in line I was talking with other fans that didn’t want to get up on stage so they said they would help me get chosen. The show started, I was enjoying it and then the moment came when Taylor said she would choose someone. I immediately started screaming and I lifted my shirt up while all the other girls were pointing in my direction. Taylor didn’t hesitate before picking me! I got on stage, took my shirt off and Taylor asked my name so she could introduce me to the crowd. The song started, I was dancing and singing along but I was so nervous I could hardly breathe. Taylor was coming to me and was dirty dancing with me, touching me!! While she was singing she would sometimes glance at me to see me sing along with her. At the end of the song she hugged me, thanked me and I told her “Thank you so much, I love you” The whole thing was just amazing, surreal! I am so happy that I got what I wanted, I got on stage with Taylor Momsen " Laura xx

Follow Laura On Twitter!

via taylor-momsen.net

The Pretty Reckless Performs In New York City

Two blocks away from Santos Party House in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, Taylor Momsen and her band, The Pretty Reckless stand on the corner looking a little lost. She wears huge sunglasses in the dark, sky-high platforms accentuating already lanky limbs, equally slinky platinum locks and an oversized jacket. I walk up to her and say, “On my way to your show now.” “Sounds good," she replies. "We're going to a bar,” she breathes out in a raspy, kind but cool voice.

Bassist Jon Berry, who showed the most technical skill with his savvy back-up vocal, is excited to see how Runner Runner evolves. “We all write music and we have a hundred plus songs just waiting in the pipelines,” but for now, “we’re doing what we love.” When asked about touring with The Pretty Reckless, Ogren said it’s brought “a completely different crowd; we’re used to a younger, pop one.” Of Taylor Momsen, Munters says, “you’d expect her to bring her edgy persona off stage but she’s actually the sweetest girl. She’s like a dude. Quote me as saying, ‘Taylor is one of the dudes.’”

With members of her Gossip Girl cast in the audience, Momsen came out strong on lead vocals. After the set she told us, “It's so awesome to rock in New York f***ing City. This is my hometown. I live right around the f***ing corner and [the audience] came to rock.” She seemed genuinely surprised by the enthusiasm of the crowd and the sold out show. She called a topless girl on stage with her, covered Audioslave, Oasis and Muse, belted and screamed out her self-written lyrics and kept the crowd wanting more. One fan told me after the show, “in a few months she’ll be selling out Madison Square Garden.” Momsen is nothing but raw talent, a hard rocker in a pint-size frame.

source: ed.fm

Taylor Momsen and The Pretty Reckless in Toronto | Signed Photo Giveaway

many thanks to Will at mrwillw.blogspot.com for sharing!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

Although her days on CW Network's Gossip Girl are numbered now, Taylor Momsen is making her mark musically with her Band, The Pretty Reckless. Momsen, who many of us know as Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl, has taken on a number of lucrative offers since seeing her star rise on that Show, including signing on as Spokesmodel for Madonna and Daughter Lourdes' Fashion line, Material Girl. Her Band was also signed to Interscope Records, distributed through Universal Music, in March 2009.

Now promoting debut Disc Light Me Up, featuring a sound surprisingly edgy and sophisticated for that of a 17 year-old Frontwoman, Momsen's repertoire is all co-written by her and last year she described it as being "death, love, rock and roll, sex, drugs and religion". Band Mate Ben Phillips could be heard on a Cigarette break describing The Pretty Reckless' sound earlier today to someone curious. "I hate it when people compare Taylor to Avril Lavigne. She's nothing like her". He also mentioned a review of the Disc which was scathing from an popular American Magazine recently, refuting "I don't care about reviews, but to get covered on that Magazine in itself is a pretty big deal. All that matters is that the people who get her are supporting us". Anyone who listens to the Album can hear that the substance definitely is there and Momsen actually is a wonderful Vocalist.

Momsen entered Toronto's Tattoo Rock Parlour after a Gig last night in Niagara Falls, which saw her trek here along with her Band Mates by Bus this morning. For most of the day, she rested in her vehicle before finally coming out at 6:00 PM to greet a small group of lucky Fans with VIP Meet & Greet Passes inside the venue. Despite presenting herself in a cool, carefree manner donning Sunglasses (it was a dim, candle-lit room) and a tight black number which revealed her endless legs, Momsen was all smiles off-camera for Fans. One part Cherie Currie of The Runaways, one part Brigitte Bardot - two times more risqué.

After being accosted by one of her Handlers, "One Pic only per person! Take one more Pic and I'm going to have you removed!", I had abided cooperatively after realizing he was actually talking to me. Unfortunately, the multi-talented Songstress appeared to be fighting a Cold, turning away to cough for a bit. I sent her my well wishes for a quick recovery which she appreciated with a smile, signing one more Photo for you, Mavenati. And believe me, I had to fight for it as her Handler flat-out told me, "NO!" when I asked for one more, but of course Momsen was sweet enough to kibosh that rule for me.

Fan reviews of the sold-out Show ranged from "really good" to "amazing" on Twitter. Demand was so overwhelming that a new batch of tickets was released 40 minutes before the Band took to the stage. The portion of the performance which had the audience talking endlessly was her donning a T-shirt that read "I Fuck for Satan". *gasp*.

For those of you looking to catch a glimpse of Momsen during her stay in Toronto, she'll be appearing on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST.

Leave a comment HERE with the name of your favourite The Pretty Reckless track by April 1, 2011 to qualify for a signed 5x7 Photo above from Momsen. One winner will be picked at random. Good luck, Mavenati!

L.A. and Scottsdale Concerts Reviews!

The Pretty Reckless Live at The El Rey
Los Angeles, Ca.

It would be fairly simple to dismiss Taylor Momsen’s The Pretty Reckless as yet another actress/ model effort, ala Julliette Lewis, that feels compelled to pick up guitar and become a singer. It would be just as easy to dismiss Momsens efforts as RockStar Barbie turned up to eleven. Neither would be true.

I had seen The Pretty Reckless about a year ago when the played the Key Club in Hollywood for a brief set during the Warped Tour Kickoff Party. That set intrigued me - there seemed to be a ton of potential there, obviously enough that they gained Kevin Lyman’s ear for booking them on Warped Tour, but there was also something obviously missing. You could see glimpses of what you expected from a emerging Warped Tour band yet something was not there. Most there that night just wrote it off to the crowd not wanting to engage for anyone but the party headliner, Andrew WK.

Friday night at the El Rey was a different story. I’m not sure if it was the same Taylor Momsen on initially heard on the Sunset Strip that night last year. This girl brought a different attitude to the show last night. Seemingly struggling with her in ear monitors thru the first half of the show, she found her pace in the last half - not that the crowd would have noticed since they went completely ballistic for every number.

Channeling her own Nancy Wilson from Heart ( look it up, it’s worth it), Momsen put it all in for “Mix My Medicine” making it easily the strongest of her original material. Not only did Momsen seem to give some of her soul to this one, so did her band, that for the most part seemed to be along for the ride. Momsen’s voice sounded more mature, more sultry (can I say about a seventeen year old ! ) than any other number before it. Momsen played along with the band, albiet with what looked simple chords, but none the less, with a guitar in her hand she seemed to be finding pace with what the crowd wanted.