The Linda Lindas
No Obligation
Epitaph
People always grumble that the kids today don’t know how to rock. They were saying that when I was a kid in high school half a century ago, and there are people saying it now. It wasn’t true then, and of course it’s not true now, either. When you get older, it just takes more work to find the exciting new sounds.
The Linda Lindas are an exciting young band out of Los Angeles. A few years ago a video of them playing “Racist, Sexist Boy” went viral. The song was a raw, punk anthem sung buy a bunch of girls who hadn’t graduated high school yet. The video led to the band signing with Epitaph Records and releasing their debut, Growing Up.
It’s been two years, and The Linda Lindas are back with their second long player, No Obligation. Guitarist Bela Salazar has graduated high school. Bassist Eloise Wong and guitarist Lucia de la Garza are still high schoolers, and drummer Mila de la Garza just graduated middle school. You couldn’t tell their age from their performance. The band is tight, with strong songs ranging from punk ragers to polished, power pop. All four members write and take turns singing lead vocals.
“All In My Head” opens the album with a sweet, power pop tune about imagination. “Don’t Think” begins with the statement “Sometimes things that are fun aren’t fun for me / Sometimes I can’t live with reality.” That’s a sentiment that I think everyone can relate to from time to time. “Excuse Me” is a snarling punk song about dealing with people’s expectations. The album closes with “Yo Me Estreso,” paying homage to their Latinx identity.
I like that The Linda Lindas seem to recognize they have no obligation to grow up too fast. For now, they’re still playing gigs on weekends and school holidays, doing homework in the green room, and having fun making music with friends.
