Cool Band Alert - Julez and the Rollerz

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Name: Julez and the Rollerz
From: Los Angeles, California
Members: Jules Batterman (lead vocals, guitar), Shea Carothers (synth, vocals) Morgyn Payge (bass vocals), Sarah Park ‘Spark’ (drums)
RIYL: Ex Hex, The Runaways, Lambrini Girls, “Volcano Girls” by Veruca Salt
The Gist: Glitter mascara and a Cheap Trick tape in the cupholder

Jules Batterman wailing the immortal phrase “even the real ones will cry all niiiiiiigggght” has been playing on loop in my brain since 2023 when her L.A. outfit Julez and the Rollerz dropped Is This Where the Party Is?, a 5-song EP that was the sonic equivalent of feeling way too blue while driving way too fast in a red sports car that belongs to your dad. Yet underneath the youthful garage rock vibes was the roar of a chaotic glamour monster now fully unleashed on debut full-length Dirty Little Rock ‘N’ Roller. Here the Rollerz level up their sound with a studio polish that accentuates the band’s chops to excellent effect without defanging the attitude. With Batterman’s powerhouse vocals placed front and center and stacked guitars solid enough to bang your head upon—not to mention galaxy-sized hooks—the songs embrace a mix of theatricality and vulnerability for a sound that harkens back to the era when hard rock met glam, with a hint of power pop to keep it on the indie side. Every song’s a winner, but shout out to the the neon synths streaking through “I Need Love,” the hip-swinging come hither of “Call Me Up,” and the new wave-y squiggles of “Phaser.”

Dirty Little Rock ‘N’ Roller is out June 26th on Lolipop Records. Get it here.

Definitely check out Primitive Ring, a Cool Band Alert pick from a few weeks back and fellow Angeleno headbangers. Listen to the later tracks from hidden For more unapologetic hard rock, head to Greece or check one of the many projects of shredder Ben Katzman. For a deeper dive into the cheeky, melodic side of Julez and the Rollerz, may we suggest Indonesia’s Grrrl Gang? And don’t forget to unearth some power pop gems from all eras.

Come hang in the chat with artists celebrating their record release this week on Bandcamp.