Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, a captivating blend of punk energy and pop sensibility, has earned a coveted spot on Guardian’s One to Watch 2023 list, solidifying their status as your next favorite pop-punk phenomenon. Originating in 2015 during a high school sleepover in Canberra, Australia, inspired by the rebellious spirit of the Riot Grrrl movement and fueled by their shared passion for bands of a similar ilk, this quartet comprises vocalist Anna Ryan, guitarist Scarlett McKahey, drummer Neve Van Boxsel, and bassist Jaida Stephenson.
Their debut album, I Love You, clinched the title of Best Independent Punk Album at the 2023 AIR Awards, propelling them into the spotlight. Seamlessly weaving together aggressive punk and rock elements with melodic pop undertones, the album has secured a spot in our Top 50 this year (more to come).
Recently gracing the stage as the opening act for the Foo Fighters at AAMI Park, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers is poised for even greater heights. In an exclusive interview, I had the pleasure of delving into the intricacies of the new album, exploring the band’s dynamics, and uncovering their future aspirations with bassist Jaida Stephenson.
SH: So I have to ask: How did you come up with the name for the band?
JS: It’s a very boring story. Scarlet, the guitarist, her dad’s friend suggested it one time. We were like “That’s a good suggestion”! We need to make up a funny story, like “we were all really drunk one night…” but no, it was just a suggestion from a parent’s friend!
SH: It’s known that you started the band after watching School of Rock. Did you all have musical experience?
JS: Neve had already played the drums for a couple of years, Anna, the singer, was born with the pipes, Scarlet played cello but also played ukulele…so that translated easily. I have really big hands, and in Angus, Thongs & a Perfect Snogging, there’s a line where a guy says he’s a bass player and they’re met with the response “I have big hands!”
I was so awful when we started, and the first year I practiced, but didn’t really progress very much. Then I got lessons for 3-6 months and from there just kinda self-taught. Once we started playing shows…I feel like that’s the best way to progress with any instrument is live shows. You can rehearse for weeks and weeks but I reckon but it isn’t as good as playing 3-4 live shows, you learn so much from that.
I had never played a bass or a stringed instrument before the day we started the band. I feel like it’s like the naivete you have when you’re in your early teens, like “I can do anything!” If someone now suggested it, I’d be like “No fricken way!”
SH: As a band, you seem to have this fearless mentality. Has there been anything you’ve been hesitant about?
JS: Yeah, it’s funny you say that, because I think collectively we’re the most anxious person, but I feel like we always book stuff and say “That sounds awesome”, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty we’re like “Holy shit. How are we gonna do this?” Especially since we started doing overseas tours, so last year we went to Europe twice, and then we’re going back in January for 2 months. We’re going to be traveling in a van for the first time. We’re kinda like “What are we getting ourselves into?”
SH: You all started as close friends. Is there anything about touring or being in a band in general that has changed your dynamic?
JS: Yeah! I think especially in the past couple of years, it’s turned into, and I say this lightly, but it’s turned into more of a business. We were like “Holy crap, music could be a career.” To do that it’s just like any other business, you gotta put in a lot of effort, so we have to switch our brains from friendship mode to making band decisions. Everyone always says “Don’t get into a business with your friends!” but so far it’s worked out pretty well. I think we just have to all be patient with each other and help each other out.
SH: What’s something you wish you knew before starting a band that you couldn’t have learned in “School of Rock”?
JS: I think how much of an actual profession it is. I think you see bands and think “Rock star lifestyle” but there are so many people that work in the industry and it’s massive, as much as any other industry, and I think it’s really interesting, growing up I was like “I can be in a band but that can’t be my actual job” but now I’m like “this is a legit profession” and there’s such a large team to make all music happen.
SH: From your headline tour, which city/venue was your favorite to play?
JS: For me it was definitely Sydney, Neve and I live about an hour south of Sydney, so it was kinda like a hometown show. It was the biggest show, and it was also at this venue called “Metro Theatre”. When I was like a naughty teenager, I snuck up to Sydney when I was 17, and that was the first big gig I went to. I thought “This venue is so big, it’s so cool, imagine playing here one day” and then we got to sell it out on the tour!
SH: When you were 14, you made jokes about playing Triple J’s “Like a Version” and then you did it! What are you all manifesting next?
JS: It is pretty crazy…everything that we wanted to do at that age, we’ve done! A personal one for me would be to play with Arctic Monkeys, I’m obsessed with them and always have been. Glastonbury is a big one…and honestly, tour America because we haven’t been there yet! I think coming to the USA would be cool.
Fingers crossed for that! With a moniker like “Teen Jesus,” this musical ensemble is poised to attract an even larger fanbase as they evolve. Referred to as TJJT for short, the band is set to embark on a European tour next year alongside The Vaccines. Meanwhile, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in their latest album, I Love You—out now.
Featured photo by @sheisaphrodite on Instagram
Pingback: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Return to NYC to Kick Off Their North American Headlining Tour