Some bands are destined to become legends. Others stumble into greatness while having the time of their lives. And then there’s The Linda Lindas, a group of four friends who somehow manage to be both of those things at the same time—effortlessly cool, laugh-out-loud fun, and somehow already iconic while still barely old enough to rent a car without an argument at the counter.
If you don’t know who The Linda Lindas are, first of all: where have you been? Second: prepare to feel both joy and a slight existential crisis when you realize they’ve accomplished more in their teenage years than most of us will in a lifetime of carefully curated Spotify playlists. They’re the kind of band that makes you want to pick up a guitar, start a riot, and also maybe call your mom just to tell her you love her—all before dessert.
Let’s break it down, because The Linda Lindas aren’t just a band. They’re a phenomenon, a movement, and quite possibly the most lovable punk rock gang this side of a pizza-fueled sleepover.
1. The Origin Story That’s Cooler Than Any Superhero
Every great band needs an origin story, and The Linda Lindas’ backstory is so charming it sounds like it was written by an indie filmmaker who really nailed the casting. Picture this: a group of Los Angeles kids—sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza, their cousin Eloise Wong, and their friend Bela Salazar—decide to start a band because, well, why not? They were basically raised in a perfect storm of cool parents, record stores, and LA’s underground music scene.
While most of us were busy figuring out how to survive middle school without accidentally wearing two different socks (okay, maybe that was just me), these girls were learning how to play instruments, write songs, and completely own a stage. Their name? Inspired by the 2005 Japanese film Linda Linda Linda, which is itself about a group of high school girls forming a rock band. That’s right—they’re a band named after a movie about a band. That’s so meta it’s practically punk philosophy.
The result is a group that feels both accidental and inevitable. It’s like destiny saw four kids hanging out in a library, thought “Yeah, this is my moment,” and dropped a perfectly formed punk band out of the sky.
2. That Viral Moment (AKA the Day the Internet Lost Its Mind)
If you somehow missed it, here’s the quick recap: In 2021, The Linda Lindas performed their song “Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library. Someone filmed it. The clip went viral. And suddenly the world collectively shouted, “WHO ARE THESE KIDS AND HOW DO WE STAN THEM IMMEDIATELY?”
The song itself was a blistering call-out of a real-life experience—one of the band members was told by a boy that his dad said to stay away from Chinese people. Instead of just stewing about it, they wrote a track that managed to be furious, funny, and ridiculously catchy all at once. The performance was raw, defiant, and absolutely unforgettable.
This wasn’t just a viral video; it was a moment. Watching it felt like discovering punk rock for the first time all over again. The energy was electric. The hair stood up on the back of your neck. And in a single four-minute clip, The Linda Lindas went from local heroes to global sensations.
That performance wasn’t just a song—it was a mic drop heard around the world.
3. They Actually Know How to Rock
Here’s the thing about The Linda Lindas: they’re not just “good for their age.” That phrase should be permanently banned in their presence. They’re just good, period. Scratch that—they’re phenomenal. Their debut album, Growing Up, is packed with songs that hit harder than bands twice their age with three times the budget.
Tracks like “Talking to Myself”, “Oh!”, and “Nino” (yes, a song about their cat, and yes, it absolutely slaps) showcase a sound that’s equal parts punk, indie rock, and power pop. Their hooks are sharp enough to cut glass, their riffs are infectious, and their harmonies are the kind of thing that lodge in your brain for days.
It’s the perfect combination of youthful energy and genuine musical chops. You can hear echoes of bands like Bikini Kill, The Breeders, and The Go-Go’s, but with a freshness that’s entirely their own. They might wear their influences on their sleeves, but they’re already carving out a space that’s unmistakably Linda Lindas territory.
4. Their Stage Presence Is Pure Joy
Seeing The Linda Lindas live is like being hit with a wave of pure serotonin. There’s no pretension, no carefully calculated rock star posturing—just four friends having the time of their lives and inviting you to join the party.
Lucia shreds on guitar with effortless cool. Mila, the youngest member, pounds the drums with a ferocity that would make Dave Grohl proud. Eloise holds down the bass with swagger and sneaky melodic flourishes. Bela switches between guitar and vocals with the kind of laid-back confidence that suggests she’s been doing this since birth.
And then there’s the banter. Between songs, they joke, they laugh, they tell stories about their pets. It feels less like watching a band and more like hanging out with your coolest friends—if your coolest friends also happened to be on the verge of world domination.
5. They Make Punk Feel Fun Again
Let’s be honest: punk can sometimes take itself a little too seriously. Don’t get me wrong, rage against the machine is important, but sometimes you just want to dance like a maniac and sing about your cat. The Linda Lindas get that balance exactly right.
Yes, they write songs about racism, sexism, and standing up for yourself. But they also write songs about crushes, awkward conversations, and the weird joy of being a teenager. It’s political and personal, loud and goofy, all at once.
Their music reminds you that punk at its core isn’t about gatekeeping or cynicism—it’s about freedom. It’s about grabbing a guitar, yelling into a mic, and creating a space where everyone belongs. The Linda Lindas embody that spirit better than anyone making music right now.
6. They’re Already Changing the Game
Representation matters, and The Linda Lindas are proof. As a band made up of Asian American and Latina musicians, they’re inspiring a whole new generation of kids to pick up instruments and start their own bands.
When you’re a teenager—or really, any age—seeing someone who looks like you absolutely owning a stage can be life-changing. It’s a reminder that punk isn’t a closed club. It’s for everyone. And The Linda Lindas aren’t just participating in that tradition; they’re expanding it.
They’re also redefining what success looks like. They didn’t need a record label or a fancy marketing plan to break out. They just needed a killer song, a library, and the internet. That DIY ethos is punk to its core, and it’s thrilling to watch them prove that the old rules don’t apply anymore.
7. Their Future Is Wide Open (and We’re Lucky to Witness It)
Here’s the wildest part: The Linda Lindas are still at the very beginning of their journey. They’ve already toured with legends, played festivals around the world, and released an album that critics love—but they’re still basically kids. Their biggest, boldest work is almost certainly ahead of them.
Will they lean deeper into punk? Experiment with pop? Collaborate with their heroes? Probably all of the above. And the best part is that we get to watch it unfold in real time. Being a fan of The Linda Lindas right now feels like getting in on the ground floor of something truly special.
8. Why They Matter (to Me, and Maybe to You)
Okay, confession time: I’m not a teenager. I’m not even close. My knees make a sound like a haunted door hinge every time I stand up too fast. But The Linda Lindas make me feel like one again.
Listening to their music brings me back to that sweet spot where everything felt possible and the world hadn’t yet taught me to be cynical. Their songs remind me of why I fell in love with music in the first place—because it makes you feel alive. Because it makes you believe that a group of friends with instruments can change the world, or at least make it a little more fun for three minutes at a time.
There’s something magical about watching a band discover their own power in real time. The Linda Lindas are writing their story as we speak, and every song feels like a new chapter in a book you can’t put down.
9. The Comedy of Being This Awesome
Let’s also acknowledge how hilariously unfair it is that they’re this good and this charming and this young. At their age, I was still trying to figure out how to microwave mac and cheese without setting off the smoke detector. They’re out here dropping perfect punk bangers and casually opening for bands like Jawbreaker and Foo Fighters.
It’s enough to make you shake your fist at the sky in mock outrage. But honestly, you can’t even be mad about it. Their success doesn’t make you feel jealous; it makes you feel hopeful. Like maybe there’s still magic in the world, and sometimes the universe just gifts us something perfect.
Final Thoughts: Long Live The Linda Lindas
The Linda Lindas are freaking awesome. There’s really no other way to put it. They’re proof that punk is alive, well, and still capable of surprising us. They’re proof that you don’t need to wait until you’re older, richer, or more “professional” to make art that matters. You just need a spark, a guitar, and a few friends willing to yell with you.
Whether you’re a teenager discovering your first favorite band or an adult who thought your moshing days were behind you, The Linda Lindas are a reminder that music is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be loud. It’s supposed to make you feel like the world is a little less heavy and a lot more exciting.
So crank up “Racist, Sexist Boy.” Scream along to “Talking to Myself.” Dance to “Nino” like your cat is watching and silently judging you. And when you inevitably start a band with your own friends after being inspired by these four incredible humans, don’t forget to send them a thank-you note.
Because The Linda Lindas aren’t just a band. They’re a call to action. They’re a love letter to punk. And yes—they’re freaking awesome.
