By Cate Meister
After their performance at the Los Angeles Public Library, the Linda Lindas found success with their hit “Racist, Sexist Boy”.
The all-girl band, which describes themselves as “half Asian half Latinx,” revives a distinct punk sound of the do it yourself music era of the nineties in many of their songs, including “Racist, Sexist Boy”. The Los Angeles-based band’s career began in 2018 when its members, whose ages now range from 10 to 16, met at a music program for girls.
“A boy in my class came up to me and said that his dad told him to stay away from Chinese people,” Lucia de la Garza said before the band’s performance. “After I told him that I was Chinese, he backed away from me.”
The band has performed alongside groups like Best Coast, Bleached, Alley Cats and Alice Bag and has opened at one of Bikini Kill’s reunion concerts. The band was also featured in Amy Poehler’s adaption of the riot-grrrl inspired book, “Moxie,” and wrote an original song for the Netflix documentary “The Claudia Kishi Club.”
“Racist, Sexist Boy” explores the experiences of drummer Mila de la Garza through both feminist and anti-racist lenses.
Vocalist and guitarist Eloise Wong’s voice matches the strength and intensity of the guitars in “Racist, Sexist Boy,” one of their louder, more punk-fueled songs.
The song alternates between a slower chorus, sung by Wong, and a more fast paced tune, sung by de la Garza, throughout the song, complete with lyrics that offer a fresh, more intersectional take on the “riot grrrl” movement.
Before the success of “Racist, Sexist Boy,” the Linda Lindas released their self-titled extended play (EP) in 2020, which included songs like “Monica” and “Never Say Never.”
“Monica” offers a quick-paced, short but infectiously fun song about the titular siamese cat, with vocals by singer and guitarist Bela Salazar. In “No Clue,” the band explores the confusion of adolescence with a catchy and upbeat garage rock tune.
“Missing You” flaunts some of Wong’s harsher vocals, more reminiscent of the sounds of “Racist, Sexist Boy.” Equally catchy, the song voices the discontent that many kids and teenagers feel surrounding virtual learning and the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the EP concludes with a softer, more melodic song with “Never Say Never.”
Throughout the EP, the Linda Lindas’ lend a youthful tone to their music that makes the track even more enjoyable. While their lyrics can be lighthearted or tackle more serious subject matter, the band always manages to filter their songs through a uniquely Gen Z lens.
Any one looking for a 10-minute ride through an emerging young voice in rock should listen to their EP, and fans of bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, X-Ray Spex and Sleater-Kinney, should be sure to check out the Linda Lindas for a modernized version of the 90s era feminist punk movement.
