The Regrettes in Concert
The Regrettes vocalist/guitarist Lydia Night isn't one to mince words. On her band's breakout tune, the girl-group-meets-garage-rock rave-up "A Living Human Girl," the outspoken feminist details physical flaws and personal shortcomings, but asserts her right to "dress how I want" and embrace imperfection: "Sometimes I'm pretty, and sometimes I'm not." At other moments, Night's righteous anger is inspiring: The grungy rocker "Come Through," the first track from 2018's ‘Attention Seeker' EP, lays out, in no uncertain terms, that she is ready to eject toxic people from her life.
Such brutally honest vulnerability has helped Los Angeles-based the Regrettes (and Night herself) become role models to legions of teens. But the group's 2017 major-label debut, ‘Feel Your Feelings, Fool!,' has wide appeal thanks to a kinetic punk foundation spliced with nods to girl groups, New Wave, '50s rock 'n' roll, and the Smiths. Newer tunes released since then are yet more sophisticated: the jubilant, pogo-punk ripper "Helpless" boasts Cali-pop beachy harmonies and shredding guitars, while the driving "California Friends" brings to mind Joan Jett.
Incredibly enough, Night accomplished all this before being old enough to vote. She spent her early years singing Ramones songs while visiting her dad's New Orleans nightclub, and was inspired to start playing guitar after seeing a Donnas concert — at age five. Thankfully, her parents encouraged her aptitude: Night attended a California-area School of Rock and met other kindred spirits, which led to The Regrettes' formation in 2015.
Unsurprisingly, the Regrettes are energetic and mesmerizing live — the worthy descendents of '90s riot grrrls. Night high-kicks and dances around the stage, and encourages crowds to let their hair down and roar along with her. It's no wonder the Regrettes have toured with fellow rabble-rousers the Interrupters and Tacocat, and spent summer 2018 making the festival rounds at Coachella, Governors Ball, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. With an endless stream of new music— and a spot on Alt Nation's Advanced Placement Tour 2018 with Welles and Micky James also locked down — the Regrettes are just getting started.
