Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are an Australian rock band formed in Canberra in 2015. The group consists of vocalist Anna Ryan, guitarist Scarlett McKahey, drummer Neve van Boxsel, and bassist Jaida Stephenson.[4] Their debut extended play, Pretty Good for a Girl Band, was released in 2022 through Domestic La La and won Best Independent Punk Album or EP at the 2023 AIR Awards.[5] Their debut full-length album, I Love You, was released in October 2023 and peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[6]
History
2015–2020: Formation and early releases
The band was formed in July 2015 when all five original members – singer Anna Ryan, guitarist Scarlett McKahey, drummer Neve van Boxsel, keyboardist Pip Gazard, and bassist Jaida Stephenson – were 15 year-old students at the Orana Steiner School in Weston, a suburb of Canberra.[7] Some of the band members also came from Wollongong and Melbourne.[8] Van Boxsel had been playing drums since she was 10; Ryan had been singing for all their childhood;[3] and McKahey had started on cello at a young age.[9] Gazard left the band in 2018.
In February 2020, the single "Desk Chair" was released, with Hayden Davies of the music publication Pilerats praising it for being "gritty and rough-around-the-edges in the most charming of ways."[11][12]
2021–2022: Pretty Good for a Girl Band
The band signed with Domestic La La in 2021. Their first single with the label, "Ahhhh!", was released in July of that year.[13] In the Triple J Hottest 200 of 2021, the song made it to number 117.[14] In May 2021, the band performed at a number of festivals in the United Kingdom.[15] The single "Miss Your Birthday", co-written by Alex Lahey, was released in November 2021.[16]
Their debut EP Pretty Good for a Girl Band was released on May 2022.[8] The single "Girl Sports", was described by Ellie Robinson from NME as a "notedly darker cut for the Canberra-native quartet" featuring "more grisly guitar runs, snappy, cymbal-heavy drums and cutthroat lead vocals."[17] The band embarked on a nationwide Australian tour supporting the EP in August 2022.[18]
2023–2024: I Love You
In March 2023, the band released the song "Lights Out".[19] "Never Saw It Coming" followed in June. Those two songs were previews of the band's first full-length album, I Love You, which was released in October 2023.[6] An expanded version of the album called I Love You Too was released in September 2024.[20]
The band opened for Foo Fighters in Australia in Fall 2023.[21] Shortly before the release of I Love You, guitarist Scarlett McKahey announced a hiatus from touring due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome,[22] and Meg Holland filled in during live shows. McKahey later returned to touring and Holland remained as rhythm guitarist during live shows. The band was invited to serve as the opening act for Pearl Jam during an American tour in Spring 2025.[23]
2025–present: Neve solo EP, Tour with Pearl Jam, and Glory
On the 26 February, 2025, Neve released her debut solo song titled "Bones",[24] along with "Someone Everyone Wants To Know" on the 26th March as a precursor to her solo debut EP 'Playgirl', released on the 28th March. The EP contained other songs 'Playgirl' and 'Coming Home'.[25] The EP has a stripped back, raw, honest, and softer feel in comparison to the band's sound; and she wrote, recorded, and produced the entire EP herself in her bedroom.[26]
Across May 2025, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers served as the opening act for Pearl Jam on the continuation of their Dark Matter tour in the United States, playing in Nashville, Raleigh, and Pittsburgh.[27] Whilst in the U.S., the band performed headlining shows in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles.[28]
On 23 April 2025, the band released "Balcony" as a single and music video.[29] They have since teased the release of new music, recorded at The Grove Studios in Somersby, NSW.[30] A second studio album Glory is scheduled for release on 7 November 2025.
Artistry
The band cites the Riot grrrl movement as well as the acts of Cherry Glazerr, Dream Wife, VOIID, and WAAX as their biggest influences.[3] Anna Ryan, the band's lead songwriter, has said the intention in their lyrics are intended "to create music that is relatable and meaningful" to "women especially." The band's lyrics have often alluded to events that have impacted their lives – "Girl Sports" is specifically written about a comment made by Stephenson's male dentist to "stick to girl sports,"[17] and their debut EP's title is derived from remarks made by some listeners' surprise at the band's ability.[31]
Band members
Current members
Anna Ryan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2015–present)
Scarlett McKahey – lead guitar, backing vocals[a](2015–present)
Neve van Boxsel – drums, backing and occasional lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2015–present)
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
^Holland fulfils lead guitar duties when McKahey is not performing with the band, and rhythm guitar duties when she is. In the latter instances, Ryan does not play guitar live.
^While technically their debut EP, the band has stated Creepshow has been "scrubbed out of existence" and has been removed from streaming services. They prefer Pretty Good for a Girl Band to be labeled as their debut.[35]
^"We're All Henry" was originally a part of the Creepshow EP, and is the only song not removed from streaming services.[35]
