The Linda Lindas: The Punk Band That Went Viral and Changed Rock Music
The Linda Lindas are a punk band from Los Angeles whose rise from casual garage project to internationally recognized act reads like the plot of a feel-good rock movie. Formed in 2018, the band comprises bassist Eloise Wong, guitarist Lucia de la Garza, drummer Mila de la Garza, and guitarist Bela Salazar. What began as a one-off performance at Girlschool LA quickly evolved into something far bigger than any of the young musicians could have imagined.
The band's name draws its inspiration from the Japanese film Linda Linda Linda, which itself takes its title from the beloved Blue Hearts song Linda Linda. This nod to cross-cultural influences reflects something essential about the band's identity — they are a diverse, multigenerational group of musicians whose roots span multiple cultures and backgrounds. Lucia and Mila are sisters, daughters of renowned music producer Carlos de la Garza, while Eloise is their cousin and the daughter of Martin Wong, co-founder of the celebrated Asian-American culture magazine Giant Robot.
Their early days were defined by scrappy determination and rapid growth. Originally brought together to back singer Kristin Kontrol at a single show, the girls quickly discovered they had real chemistry as a unit. Their cover of Bikini Kill's Rebel Girl caught the attention of the legendary riot grrrl herself, Kathleen Hanna, who invited The Linda Lindas to open for Bikini Kill at the Hollywood Palladium in April 2019. That same show proved to be a pivotal moment when comedian and filmmaker Amy Poehler witnessed their performance and was so impressed that she enlisted the band to record songs and appear in her Netflix film Moxie, released in 2021.
The breakthrough moment that would define their early career came in May 2021, when the Los Angeles Public Library posted a video of the band performing Racist, Sexist Boy at a library event. The song, written in response to a racist comment directed at drummer Mila de la Garza by a schoolmate, struck a powerful chord with audiences worldwide. Within days, the video had gone viral, drawing praise from rock legends including Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Thurston Moore. Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna and rapper Kid Cudi were among the many voices celebrating the song's raw, righteous energy. Author Viet Thanh Nguyen captured the moment perfectly, writing that Racist, Sexist Boy was "the song we need now."
The viral explosion translated almost immediately into industry recognition. Epitaph Records, the storied independent punk label, signed The Linda Lindas in May 2021, reportedly having been in conversations with the band even before the video took off. The band wasted no time making their mark, debuting on late-night television with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in June 2021. Their debut album, Growing Up, arrived in April 2022 to widespread critical acclaim, cementing their reputation as one of punk's most vital new voices. The album's title track, Growing Up, would later find an even wider audience when it was featured on the soundtrack for Pixar's Inside Out 2.
Rooted in pop-punk, punk rock, and the riot grrrl tradition, The Linda Lindas wear their influences proudly while forging a sound entirely their own. Their music is urgent and melodic, shot through with genuine emotion and a fierce social conscience. These qualities have opened doors that might surprise even their most devoted fans. In 2023, they performed at Coachella and served as opening act for Paramore's This Is Why Tour. In July 2024, they took the stage at SoFi Stadium to open for the Rolling Stones during the Hackney Diamonds Tour, and later joined Green Day, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Rancid on the Saviors Tour — an extraordinary run of high-profile engagements for a band still in their teens.
Their second album, No Obligation, arrived in 2024 and was previewed with singles including All in My Head and Yo Me Estreso, the latter premiered live at a Chicago concert before its official release. The band continued to expand their reach in unexpected directions, appearing on children's television program Yo Gabba Gabbaland and performing at the historic 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee, where they became the first musical act ever to perform at the event.
In 2026, The Linda Lindas entered an exciting new chapter by signing with Reprise Records under a deal that, notably, allows the band to retain the rights to their master recordings. Their third album, Gotta Get Out, was announced alongside the single Closer, a collaboration with Hayley Williams of Paramore. The band is also set to perform at the Power to the People Festival, organized by longtime supporter Tom Morello in response to the political climate of the era — a fitting stage for a band that has always understood the power of music as a tool for change.
From a library stage in Los Angeles to festival headliners and Rolling Stones openers, The Linda Lindas have proven that great punk rock has no age limit and no ceiling. Their journey is a testament to the enduring power of authenticity, community, and the kind of music that makes people feel less alone in the world.