Artist The Cathy Santonies

The Cathy Santonies are basically the sonic second coming of Bikini Kill, but the Chicago all-girl quartet shrugs off any feminist agenda in favor of singing about beaches, killer piranhas, and booze. Still, the shrill wailing propped up against razor-thin distorted guitars and thudding beats says that it has more in common with those long-dormant riot grrrls than a shared lack of Y chromosomes. In 2010, the Santonies’ profile rose considerably when Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot drafted the ladies to serve as Rivers Cuomo’s backing band for an appearance on Chicago Public Radio’s Sound Opinions, where they reimagined the Weezer frontman’s songs live on the air and without any rehearsal time. (According to Cuomo, they bested the original compositions.) An EP, I’m Yr Friend! I’m Yr Revolution!, was released last spring, and the group’s first full-length is expected soon.

Updated 04/12/2011