Function Picture: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
The band has launched 4 studio albums, starting with their debut Gentle Me Up in August 2010, adopted by Going to Hell in March 2014, Who You Promoting For in October 2016, and Demise by Rock and Roll in February 2021. Initially known as The Reckless, the band needed to change the identify on account of trademark issues. All through their profession, the band has skilled two distinct lineups, with the present four-member configuration solidifying in 2010.
The Fairly Reckless achieved unprecedented success on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts, turning into the primary female-fronted band to attain a number of number-one hits within the chart’s historical past. When the singles “Heaven Is aware of” and “Messed Up World (F’d Up World)” topped the US Mainstream Rock chart, The Fairly Reckless turned the second female-fronted band to attain two quantity ones in a row on the chart, following The Pretenders. The Fairly Reckless turned the primary female-fronted band to have 5 primary singles when “Demise by Rock and Roll” rose to the highest of the Mainstream Rock Chart. As of Could 2023, the band has offered over 1,090,000 album copies of their residence nation.
Their debut album Gentle Me Up had offered over a million models in mixed singles and albums gross sales as of January 2014. Going to Hell was launched on March 18, 2014, and marked the band’s largest gross sales week up to now, touchdown at quantity 5 on the Billboard 200 with over 35,000 copies offered in its first week. In October 2016, the band launched a follow-up album, Who You Promoting For, which peaked at quantity 13 on the Billboard 200. The band’s most up-to-date achievement got here with their fourth album, which earned them recognition for having probably the most number-one hits by any female-fronted act within the chart’s historical past.
Taylor Momsen
Taylor Michel Momsen was born on July 26, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri, to folks Michael and Collette Momsen, with a youthful sister named Sloane Momsen, who can also be an actress. She was raised Catholic, attending Our Girl of Lourdes Catholic College for elementary faculty and later Herbert Hoover Center College in Potomac, Maryland, however is now non-religious. Momsen’s path to The Fairly Reckless started within the leisure trade, the place she constructed an intensive appearing profession earlier than transitioning to music full-time. Previous to her retirement from appearing, she portrayed the character of Cindy Lou Who within the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Alexandra Anami in Spy Children 2: The Island of Misplaced Desires (2002), Molly in Underdog (2007), and Jenny Humphrey on The CW’s teen drama collection Gossip Woman (2007–2010; 2012).
Momsen’s introduction to music got here early by means of her appearing work. At seven years outdated, Momsen recorded the music “The place Are You Christmas?” for the soundtrack to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. In 2002, she recorded the songs “One Small Voice” and “Rudolph the Crimson-Nosed Reindeer” for the compilation album College’s Out! Christmas. Her modeling profession started even earlier, as she was signed with Ford Fashions at a really younger age, along with her dad and mom signing her up on the age of two. The demanding schedule of her childhood profession created challenges, as she later mirrored that she didn’t have buddies and was continually working with out experiencing a standard childhood.
In March 2009, Momsen said in an interview with OK! journal that her band the Fairly Reckless had signed a cope with Interscope Data. Her dedication to music turned more and more evident throughout her time on Gossip Woman, the place her appearances turned sporadic as she centered on her band. On August 16, 2011, Momsen advised Elle journal that she had give up appearing to deal with her music profession. She has been the frontwoman of The Fairly Reckless since their inception in 2009, serving as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Her contributions to the band’s 4 studio albums embody co-writing and producing their most up-to-date launch, Demise by Rock and Roll, alongside guitarist Ben Phillips and producer Jonathan Wyman.
Past her work with The Fairly Reckless, Momsen has maintained her modeling profession, turning into the face of Madonna’s 2010 “Materials Woman” trend line. Momsen cites Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Marilyn Manson, Oasis, and Shirley Manson of Rubbish as a few of her private influences. Her dedication to music has remained unwavering, with Momsen stating that music is the place she will be able to actually be herself, versus appearing the place she was taking part in characters quite than expressing her genuine self.
Ben Phillips
Ben Phillips, a Brooklyn native, got here to music at an early age, singing and taking part in guitar properly earlier than his teenage years. Phillips joined The Fairly Reckless in 2010 as lead guitarist and backing vocalist, changing unique guitarist John Secolo within the band’s lineup overhaul. Khandwala launched Momsen to Ben Phillips and the three started to put in writing songs collectively. He has performed in quite a few rock bands over the course of his profession, together with The Ben Phillips Band which launched their solely album Freak Like Me in 2001. His musical background supplied the right basis for his function in The Fairly Reckless.
Phillips beforehand performed within the NYC-based band Well-known, which additionally featured his future TPR bandmates Mark Damon and Jamie Perkins. This prior musical relationship proved instrumental in forming the steady lineup that might outline The Fairly Reckless’ sound. Ben Phillips had a number of bands earlier than he was recruited by Momsen/TPR producer Kato Khandwala, most notably, The Ben Phillips Band. The connection between Phillips and the opposite musicians created a cohesive unit that would help Momsen’s transition from actress to rock frontwoman.
Phillips has been an integral a part of all The Fairly Reckless studio releases since becoming a member of the band. He contributed to Gentle Me Up (2010), Hit Me Like a Man EP (2012), Going to Hell (2014), Who You Promoting For (2016), and Demise by Rock and Roll (2021). His guitar work has been described as offering gritty riffs that function a platform for Momsen’s highly effective vocals. The album Demise by Rock and Roll was produced by Jonathan Wyman, vocalist Taylor Momsen, and guitarist Ben Phillips, together with extra manufacturing performed by Nate Yacchichino. Phillips’ function extends past performing to incorporate songwriting and manufacturing duties, making him a key inventive power within the band’s musical evolution.
Exterior of The Fairly Reckless, Phillips’ profession highlights embody his early work with The Ben Phillips Band and his time in Well-known, which ready him for his present function. His skilled relationship with Mark Damon and Jamie Perkins predates their work in The Fairly Reckless, creating a robust musical basis that has contributed to the band’s success. Phillips continues to tour extensively with the band, acting at main festivals and supporting famend acts all through their profession.
Mark Damon
Mark Damon joined The Fairly Reckless as bassist in 2010, turning into a part of the lineup that might outline the band’s signature sound. Damon beforehand performed within the band Well-known within the early 2000s alongside Ben Phillips and Jamie Perkins. This pre-existing musical relationship created an instantaneous chemistry that might show important to The Fairly Reckless’ growth as a cohesive unit. Jamie Perkins had already performed in a band with Mark Damon, after which Mark had really give up that band, and Ben was one of many guys he began working with.
Taylor Momsen had heard the Well-known album that the trio had made with producer Kato Khandwala and mentioned, “Properly that’s sort of what I need to sound like, why don’t you guys simply turn into my band?” And so they did. This natural transition from Well-known to The Fairly Reckless allowed Damon to carry his established musical partnership with Phillips and Perkins into the brand new venture. The trio’s prior expertise performing collectively supplied the steady basis that Momsen wanted to transition from appearing to music.
Damon has been a constant presence on all Fairly Reckless releases since becoming a member of the band. His bass work seems on Gentle Me Up (2010), Hit Me Like a Man EP (2012), Going to Hell (2014), Who You Promoting For (2016), and Demise by Rock and Roll (2021). Producer Kato Khandwala was primarily the fifth member of the band, accomplished by bassist Mark Damon and drummer Jamie Perkins, and was Taylor Momsen’s greatest pal on the planet. Damon’s contributions to the band lengthen past simply bass taking part in, as he has been a part of the inventive course of that has yielded a number of number-one rock hits.
His profession exterior The Fairly Reckless facilities totally on his work with Well-known, the place he developed the musical relationships and abilities that might later serve the band properly. Damon’s skilled journey demonstrates the significance of musical chemistry and long-term collaboration in creating profitable rock music. He continues to tour and report with The Fairly Reckless, contributing to their ongoing success and evolution as probably the most profitable female-fronted rock bands of their era.
Jamie Perkins
Jamie Perkins serves as drummer for The Fairly Reckless, becoming a member of the band in 2010 throughout their full lineup overhaul. Jamie’s love of music from an early age led him to dissect the songs he was listening to, growing a musician’s ear and eye that might serve him properly in a while. Perkins, bass participant Mark Damon and guitarist Ben Phillips had beforehand performed music collectively because the band Well-known within the early 2000s. This basis proved essential when the three musicians have been approached to turn into The Fairly Reckless’ backing band.
“I had already performed in a band with Mark [Damon, bass player] after which Mark had really give up that band, and Ben was one of many guys he began working with. Issues weren’t understanding with their drummer on the time so I received a name from Ben asking me to fill in.” The connection between the musicians was not instantly easy, as Perkins admits he was initially hesitant about working with Phillips on account of character variations. “I used to be hesitant as a result of I didn’t know what to consider Ben at first. Ben was very outspoken, and really essential… I used to be very used to being one of many leaders of the band, and with Ben he was the chief and it was the primary time I needed to take heed to another person.”
“She mainly simply joined our band and have become the singer and took over!” laughs Perkins when describing how Taylor Momsen turned a part of their musical unit. “Taylor heard the Well-known album we’d made with Kato and mentioned, ‘Properly that’s sort of what I need to sound like, why don’t you guys simply turn into my band? And we did. It was a really random however lucky flip of occasions.” The transition proved seamless for Perkins, who introduced his drumming experience and musical sensibility to the brand new venture.
Perkins has contributed to all The Fairly Reckless studio albums since 2010, together with Gentle Me Up, Hit Me Like a Man EP, Going to Hell, Who You Promoting For, and Demise by Rock and Roll. “The initially factor is we’re a very loud band so I’ve to hit them exhausting, to maintain up with principally the guitarist! Really it’s a reasonably demanding job drum-wise, all people’s very centered on the drums whether or not or not it’s stay or recording.” His drumming fashion and strategy have been integral to the band’s exhausting rock sound, offering the rhythmic basis for his or her a number of chart-topping hits. Perkins is understood for incorporating prolonged drum solos into the band’s stay performances, showcasing his technical skills and including theatrical parts to their concert events.
John Secolo
John Secolo served as The Fairly Reckless’ unique lead guitarist from 2009 to 2010, taking part in an important function through the band’s formative interval. The unique lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass), and Nick Carbone (drums). Secolo joined the band after an preliminary lineup change from the very first incarnation of the group. The band performed its first live performance on Could 5, 2009 at The Annex in New York. After seven concert events the lineup of the band was modified. The brand new lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass) and Nick Carbone (drums).
Throughout his tenure with the band, Secolo helped set up The Fairly Reckless’ early sound and path. They recorded some demos in early 2009 they usually opened for The Veronicas on their North American tour. These early performances and recordings have been important in serving to the band safe their report cope with Interscope Data. The expertise gained from touring with The Veronicas supplied precious publicity and efficiency expertise that might profit the band’s growth.
In 2010, Secolo, Chiarelli and Carbone left the band, marking a big transition level in The Fairly Reckless’ historical past. This departure coincided with producer Kato Khandwala’s introduction of Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins to Taylor Momsen. Secolo’s time with the band represented the exploratory section the place Momsen was nonetheless growing her imaginative and prescient for the group’s musical path. Whereas his contributions to the band’s recorded output have been restricted to early demos, his participation throughout this significant developmental interval helped set up the groundwork for what The Fairly Reckless would ultimately turn into.
The transition away from Secolo and the unique lineup marked the start of The Fairly Reckless’ most profitable period. Although particular particulars about Secolo’s post-Fairly Reckless profession are restricted, his function within the band’s early growth stays an necessary a part of their origin story. His departure, together with the opposite unique members, allowed for the formation of the extra cohesive unit that might go on to attain a number of chart-topping successes.
Matt Chiarelli
Matt Chiarelli served as The Fairly Reckless’ unique bassist throughout their preliminary formation interval from 2009 to 2010. The unique lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass), and Nick Carbone (drums). Chiarelli was a part of the second iteration of the band’s lineup after the preliminary unnamed musicians have been changed. After seven concert events the lineup of the band was modified. The brand new lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass) and Nick Carbone (drums).
As bassist throughout this formative interval, Chiarelli contributed to the band’s early growth and sound exploration. The second line-up of the band additionally performed its first live performance at The Annex on June 3, 2009. They recorded some demos in early 2009 they usually opened for The Veronicas on their North American tour. These early performances and recording periods have been essential in serving to Taylor Momsen develop her musical imaginative and prescient and supplied the band with precious expertise that might inform their future path.
The touring expertise with The Veronicas represented a big milestone for Chiarelli and the band, because it was their first main tour alternative. This publicity helped the band achieve recognition throughout the music trade and contributed to their eventual signing with Interscope Data. Throughout this era, Chiarelli’s bass work helped set up the rhythmic basis for songs that might later be refined and re-recorded with the band’s subsequent lineup.
In 2010, Secolo, Chiarelli and Carbone left the band, marking the top of Chiarelli’s time with The Fairly Reckless. This departure coincided with producer Kato Khandwala’s introduction of the Well-known trio (Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins) to Taylor Momsen. Whereas Chiarelli’s recorded contributions to the band have been restricted to the early demo periods, his participation through the band’s developmental section helped set up the muse for his or her eventual success. Details about Chiarelli’s subsequent musical profession is restricted, however his function in The Fairly Reckless’ early historical past stays a part of their origin story and growth as a band.
Nick Carbone
Nick Carbone served as The Fairly Reckless’ unique drummer from 2009 to 2010, taking part in through the band’s essential developmental interval. The unique lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass), and Nick Carbone (drums). Carbone was introduced in through the second section of the band’s formation after preliminary lineup modifications have been made to higher swimsuit Taylor Momsen’s musical imaginative and prescient. After seven concert events the lineup of the band was modified. The brand new lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass) and Nick Carbone (drums).
Throughout his tenure with The Fairly Reckless, Carbone supplied the rhythmic basis for the band’s early materials and stay performances. They recorded some demos in early 2009 they usually opened for The Veronicas on their North American tour. These demo recordings represented a few of the earliest documented materials from The Fairly Reckless and helped set up the band’s preliminary sound path. The touring expertise with The Veronicas was significantly vital, because it supplied Carbone and the band with precious efficiency expertise and trade publicity.
The chance to tour with The Veronicas marked a serious milestone for the younger band and helped them achieve recognition that might ultimately result in their report cope with Interscope Data. Carbone’s drumming throughout this era contributed to the band’s growing stage presence and helped them refine their stay efficiency strategy. These early reveals have been important in constructing the muse for The Fairly Reckless’ future success as a touring act.
In 2010, Secolo, Chiarelli and Carbone left the band, ending Carbone’s involvement with The Fairly Reckless. This departure was a part of a whole lineup overhaul that occurred when producer Kato Khandwala launched Taylor Momsen to the members of Well-known (Ben Phillips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins). Whereas Carbone’s contributions to The Fairly Reckless’ recorded catalog have been restricted to the early demo periods, his participation through the band’s formative interval helped set up the groundwork for his or her eventual breakthrough. Particulars about Carbone’s subsequent musical actions are usually not extensively documented, however his function in The Fairly Reckless’ early historical past represents an necessary chapter within the band’s growth from aspiring musicians to chart-topping rock stars.
Take a look at extra The Fairly Reckless articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Simply click on on any of the hyperlinks under……
Learn Extra: Traditional Rock Bands Record And Listing
Full Record Of The Fairly Reckless Band Members article printed on ClassicRockHistory.com© 2025
