Girl Monstar

Few bands in the Australian independent music scene managed to capture the raw, energetic spirit of the late 1980s quite like Girl Monstar. Formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1988, the group came together with a lineup that crackled with talent and attitude. Anne McCue brought searing lead guitar work and compelling vocals, while Sherry Valier — later known to many as Sherry Rich — delivered powerful lead vocals alongside rhythm guitar. Sue World anchored the sound behind the drum kit, and Damian Child rounded out the original lineup on bass. Together, they forged what Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane memorably described as a "trash pop style mixed tough guitar riffs with strong harmonies," a description that barely does justice to the sheer vitality they brought to every recording and live performance.

The early days of Girl Monstar were marked by rapid momentum and a restless drive to make their mark. Original drummer Ritchie Hine departed within months of the band's formation to join a new lineup of the Screaming Tribesmen, with Sue World stepping in to replace him and completing what would become the band's most enduring classic lineup. Signing with Timberyard Records, the group wasted no time in making an impact. In October 1989, they released their debut double-A-sided single, Surfing on a Wave of Love / He's Hell, both tracks written by Valier. The release was an immediate success, topping the Australian Independent charts and announcing Girl Monstar as a genuine force to be reckoned with.

Their live reputation grew just as impressively as their chart presence. In early 1990, the band hit the road supporting Danish hard rock outfit D.A.D. on their Australian tour, followed by an even higher-profile support slot for United States heavy metal giants Skid Row. These experiences sharpened their live craft and expanded their audience considerably. Later in 1990, they released their second single, Joe Cool, produced by the then-emerging Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, who would go on to become one of rock music's most celebrated producers. Like its predecessor, Joe Cool climbed to the top of the Australian Independent charts, giving Girl Monstar the rare distinction of having both their singles reach the summit of that chart. The group also received ARIA Music Award nominations for Best Independent Release in both 1990 and 1991, cementing their standing as one of Australia's most exciting independent acts.

The band continued to build their legacy through standout live performances, including support shows for punk legends The Buzzcocks and the iconic The Ramones — engagements that spoke volumes about the respect the group had earned within the broader rock community. In July 1992, they finally delivered their debut album, Monstereo Delicio, produced by Paul Kosky of Not Drowning, Waving fame and Jedd Starr. Before the album was officially issued, Damian Child had been replaced on bass by Janene Abbott, though the transition did nothing to diminish the album's impact. Sadly, despite the quality of Monstereo Delicio, the group disbanded in early 1993, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.

The years following the breakup saw the members of Girl Monstar pursue diverse and rewarding musical paths. Sherry Valier forged a successful career as country rock artist Sherry Rich, recording an album with members of Wilco and fronting outfits including Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels and The Mudcakes, the latter of which also featured fellow former bandmate Sue World. Anne McCue relocated to Nashville and built a respected career as an alternative country solo artist, releasing several acclaimed albums. The contributions of Girl Monstar to Australian rock history were formally recognised in 2010, when the band was featured in Rock Chicks, an exhibition held at Melbourne's Arts Centre celebrating the achievements of women in Australian music.

Then, in April 2025, the music world received welcome news when it was announced via Sherry Rich's Instagram that Girl Monstar had reformed, with Rich, McCue, Abbott, and World reuniting to create new material. The band's first new single in over three decades, Blue Cats with Green Eyes, arrived in July 2025, followed by the protest-driven Hate Train in November of that year. Their long-awaited second album, GRRRR!!, was released on 27 January 2026 on Vicious Kitten Records and was immediately met with enthusiastic reviews. Rock website i94bar praised it as "a great return that holds up," a sentiment that resonated with longtime fans and new listeners alike. Rich later reflected that the reunion "felt like the right time," with the spark for the comeback ignited by the writing of Blue Cats with Green Eyes. After more than thirty years, Girl Monstar had returned — and they sounded as vital and fierce as ever.