TEEN JESUS AND THE JEAN TEASERS TAKE ON THE BIG APPLE
Before playing their next song, the rocker took the mic to talk to the crowd, one that was swaying and jumping along to the beat of every song. She gave a cheeky grin as the band was gearing up to play their 40-second long song. "This one lasts longer than my ex," she said, and then they played the track.
This is Australian rock band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers set out to create music that resonates and is meaningful — especially with women. A female-fronted band, their music often deals with themes of girlhood, sexism and female empowerment. Teen Jesus attracts the same energy they give out. Aftering wrapping up a short run opening for Pearl Jam earlier this year, Teen Jesus headlined a few of their own shows in North America, hitting New York, Toronto and Los Angeles. The band released their debut album I Love You in September of 2023, and followed it up with a deluxe version the following year. “Balcony,” released in April, is the first single from Teen Jesus since 2024, marking the start of another great music year.
Tucked away in the back of a bar, Baby’s All Right, in Brooklyn, New York. A fan favorite spot amongst New Yorkers. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers — composed of lead Anna Ryan, guitarists Scarlett McKahey and Meg Holland, drummer Neve van Boxel, and bassist Jaida Stephenson — took the stage on May 20, filling the Brooklyn bar with their electric energy and Aussie accents. The band opened their set with “I Like That You Like That,” their second single ever released as a group. This track was a perfect start to the set, with an intense intro that added anticipation to their entrance, as well as an monstrous outro that built up energy for the remainder of the set. The band oozed chemistry with every note they sang and step they took, and it was obvious they all love what they do together. Ryan would often veer off to jam with the other members, the rhythm section doing the same when backing vocals were not needed.
During the song “I Don’t Want It,” Teen Jesus amped up the show with some crowd participation. Before the last chorus, every person in the audience lowered to the ground in anticipation, waiting for the cue from the band to jump sporadically into the air, moving with the beat of the energetic drums and guitar.
A stand-out moment from the Brooklyn performance was their song “Girl Sports,” a track that defines Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ history as a band. The fiery, aggressive song features high energy guitar riffs, cymbal-heavy drums and hypnotic basslines. Teen Jesus’ Riot Grrrl influences shine in this song, especially noticeable in its backing vocals, turning lyrics into chants. The lyrics of “Girl Sports” come from the band's own experiences about how they are treated as a girl band.
“Maybe you should try sticking to girl sports / And men would like you better if you didn’t talk / Don’t get me wrong you’re pretty good for a girl band / It’s kinda complicated you won’t understand,” Ryan sang on stage to a bustling crowd.
Teen Jesus finished the set with their song “AHHHHH!” — a title very fitting to the sounds of the crowd and a great way to end the night. Screams were swimming around the crowd as they sang their hearts out with the band, making it a night no one will forget.
