Most people have a bucket list of bands they must see. I know that I have several and that list seems to be getting smaller and on Friday July 31, 2026, I went to The Wiltern in LA to cross The Pretty Reckless off that list. Let’s take a look…..
As I’ve said before, I’ve always had a fun time at The Wiltern. I mean sure it’s in LA but it’s in a nicer part of town and the fact that it’s easy to get to doesn’t hurt. Kicking off the night was the daughter of Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson. Honestly I didn’t really know what to expect going into it. She is very 70’s sounding and her songs tend to be on the more mellow, softer side of things. It was definitely one of those calm before the storm type of moments. Currently she has one album out and I’ll be interested to hear what she has to say on the next album.
Time for the main event…….no pre-show music, no pre-recorded intro, nothing just the house lights going dark, the band coming out, and they kick things off with one of my favorites “Death By Rock And Roll.” Immediately following that they go right into the songs “Since You’re Gone” off of Light Me Up and “Follow Me Down” off of Going To Hell. I’ve had a greater appreciation for Going To Hell as of late so it was nice to hear them play songs off that album.
Of course they are touring in support of their latest album Dear God which dropped just a little over a month ago (June 26 to be exact) and naturally they had to play the first single “For I Am Death.” I gotta say that particular song is a lot better live than on the album. It’s definitely one of those songs that just has a lot more energy and even heaviness when played live. Immediately following that, they went right into “When I Wake Up” and one of my favorites “Love Me.” “Love Me” is another one of those songs that sounds even better live. Right before they played the song “Spell On You,” Taylor tells the crowd that the song is about her and her babysitter. Of course they had to play the song “Make Me Wanna Die” which I’m sure is their most well known song. After that, they played a couple more songs before being joined by none other than Pat Smear (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) for the closing song “About You.”
I’m really glad I was finally able to cross The Pretty Reckless off my bucket list because they definitely delivered. About half of their set was off of the new album and that’s the kind of thing I like to see bands do when they have a new album out. I actually wish a lot more bands would do that when they release a new album. Taylor Momsen is one of those singers that sounds just as good if not better live. Ben Philips is a great guitar player and his backing vocals complimented Taylor’s singing really well. I thought the rhythm section of Mark Damon on bass and Jamie Perkins sounded absolutely fantastic and there was a second guitar player named Logan Nikolic. Logan Nikolic is in another band called Budderside who have four albums and two EPs and were signed to Motörhead Music by none other than Lemmy Kilmister himself. Again I’m really glad I was able to finally see this band and if you are able to, definitely go and check them out because they are definitely worth it.
Final Grade: A
The Pretty Reckless are:
Taylor Momsen: Voice/rhythm guitar
Mark Damon: Bass
Jamie Perkins: Drums
Ben Philips: Guitar/Backing Voice
Logan Nikolic: Touring Guitar
The Pretty Reckless played:
- Death by Rock and Roll
- Since You’re Gone
- Follow Me Down
- Miss Nothing
- For I Am Death
- When I Wake Up
- Love Me
- Devil in Disguise (Michelle’s Song)
- Dear God
- Dark Days
- Spell on You
- Make Me Wanna Die
- Heaven Knows
- Going to Hell
Encore:
- About You (with Pat Smear)
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