The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 2009. The band consists of Taylor Momsen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ben Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Damon (bass), and Jamie Perkins (drums). In August 2010, the band released their debut studio album, Light Me Up. The album spawned three moderately successful singles, most notably "Make Me Wanna Die". The band released the Hit Me Like a Man EP in early 2012. In March 2014, the band released their second studio album, Going to Hell, which included the singles "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World (F'd Up World)", both of which topped the US and UK rock charts.

On October 21, 2016, Razor & Tie released the band's third studio album, Who You Selling For. This album spawned the single "Take Me Down", which earned the band their fourth number one on the US rock chart. On February 12, 2021, the band's fourth studio album, Death by Rock and Roll, was released. The band's fifth studio album, Dear God, was released on June 26, 2026. The Pretty Reckless became the first female-fronted band to have seven singles top the Mainstream Rock chart when "Death by Rock and Roll" reached number one.

History

2009–2012: Formation, The Pretty Reckless EP and Light Me Up

Before forming the band, Taylor Momsen was an actress, best known for How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gossip Girl. The band were originally called the Reckless, but changed the name due to trademark problems. The band played its first concert on May 5, 2009, at the Annex in New York. The original lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass), and Nick Carbone (drums). They recorded some demos in early 2009 and opened for the Veronicas on their North American tour. For two years, Momsen worked with several producers before meeting Kato Khandwala. Momsen has said that she liked Khandwala because he was a rock producer as opposed to a pop producer. Khandwala introduced Momsen to Ben Phillips, and the three began to write songs. At present, Momsen is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, with Ben Phillips on lead guitar, Jamie Perkins on drums, and Mark Damon on bass.

Momsen stated in an interview with OK! magazine that the band signed with Interscope Records and would release their debut album in 2010. 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 account.

On December 30, 2009, the band released a new promo song entitled "Make Me Wanna Die". The song was a limited-time free download for fans on their Interscope Records website. It also appeared on the soundtrack of the 2010 film Kick-Ass, playing over the closing credits. The song was the band's first single, released on May 17, 2010, with the debut album set to be released in August. They performed at the Bamboozle music festival on May 1, 2010. The band played Warped Tour 2010.