Pom Pom Squad

Pom Pom Squad is an American indie rock/grunge band from Brooklyn, New York.[2] It is the solo project of frontwoman Mia Berrin, and features permanent members Shelby Keller (drums) and Alex Mercuri (guitar).[3]

Pom Pom Squad
Pom Pom Squad performing at Lollapalooza 2022 by Javi Perez
Pom Pom Squad performing at Lollapalooza 2022 by Javi Perez
Background information
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active2015–present
LabelsCity Slang
Members
  • Mia Berrin
  • Shelby Keller
  • Alex Mercuri
  • Lauren Marquez
Websitewww.pompomsquadband.com

History

Mia Berrin was raised in Orlando, Florida and began Pom Pom Squad when she was eighteen years old. She soon moved to New York City to attend New York University, where she performed solo under the name Pom Pom Squad and with an early iteration of the band, with whom she released the EP Hate It Here in 2017. Berrin is of African-American and Puerto Rican descent and identifies as queer. She is outspoken about the influence her identity has on her music.[4][5][6][7]

Berrin later met bassist Mari Alé Figeman and drummer Shelby Keller at club show and reformed the band. Alex Mercuri became the permanent fourth member.[5] Pom Pom Squad released their EP Ow in September 2019.[8] The band built critical buzz during this time and were booked for multiple SXSW showcases as well as supporting tour dates with The Front Bottoms and Disq;[9] these dates in 2020 were ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] During 2020, Pom Pom Squad released a series of covers and the original single "Red with Love."[11]

On March 2, 2021, it was announced that Pom Pom Squad had signed with the Berlin independent label City Slang. With the announcement, the band released the single "Lux."[12] They announced their first full-length album Death of a Cheerleader and shared single "Head Cheerleader" in April, followed by third and final single "Crying".[13] [14]Death of a Cheerleader was released on June 25, 2021.[15][16]

The band released the single "Until It Stops" in November 2021 as part of Spotify's Fresh Finds program. In December 2021, the band released a cover of Nada Surf's hit "Popular," featuring their vocalist/guitarist Matthew Caws on backing vocals. The accompanying video replicated Nada Surf's 1996 video shot for shot, with Berrin playing each of the major characters. Pom Pom Squad's video was filmed at the same location as the original video.[17]

In 2022, Pom Pom Squad toured alongside Illuminati Hotties and Fenne Lily before embarking on the Death of a Cheerleader tour. [18] They performed as the opening act for PUP and Bartees Strange.[19] Their song "Shame Reactions" was featured on the soundtrack for the teen comedy film “Do Revenge”. [20] In 2023, Pom Pom Squad served as the opening act for the Godless/Goddess tour, which was co-headlined by PVRIS and Poppy.[21]

Members
  • Mia Berrin – lead vocals, guitar (2015–present)
  • Shelby Keller – drums (2018–present)
  • Alex Mercuri – guitar (2018–present)

Touring members

  • Lauren Marquez (2022–present)
  • Alina Sloan – bass (2022–present)
  • Camellia Hartman – violin, backing vocals (2022)

Former members

  • Ethan Sass – guitar (2019–2019)[22][5]
  • Mari Alé Figeman – bass (2018–2021)

Discography

Adapted from Bandcamp.[23]

Studio albums

EPs
  • Hate It Here (2018)
  • Ow (2019)

Singles

Covers

In 2020, Pom Pom Squad released their version of "Crimson and Clover" and donated all of the proceeds to For the Gworls Medical Fund.[24] It was featured in episode 5 of the 2022 Willow. [25]

References
  1. "It's not just Olivia Rodrigo – the angry teenage girl is fueling popular music". NPR.org.
  2. Hu, Elli (2018-11-20). "Local Sounds Presents: Pom Pom Squad". Medium. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  3. Co, Truth & (2021-03-06). "Pom Pom Squad". City Slang. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  4. "Pom Pom Squad's Teen Spirit". Rolling Stone.
  5. "Pom Pom Squad Dig Deep Into Those Gut Feelings on 'Ow'". Highsnobiety. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  6. "HATE IT HERE, by Pom Pom Squad". Pom Pom Squad. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  7. "New York's Pom Pom Squad, Better Than Your High School Cheer Team". POND Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  8. "Ow, by Pom Pom Squad". Pom Pom Squad. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  9. "Pom Pom Squad Announces Tour w/ The Front Bottoms + SXSW Shows w/ AV Club, Neon Gold & More • WithGuitars". WithGuitars. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  10. "Bisa Butler, Elizabeth Turtle and more women on the pandemic impacting career milestones - Washington Post". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  11. "Pom Pom Squad - "Crimson And Clover" (Tommy James And The Shondells Cover)". Stereogum. 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  12. Co, Truth & (2021-03-05). "We Signed Pom Pom Squad!". City Slang. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  13. Russell, Scott (April 20, 2021). "Pom Pom Squad announce Death of a Cheerleader, Share "Head Cheerleader" Video". Paste Magazine. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  14. Chelosky, Danielle (June 8, 2021). "Pom Pom Squad-"Crying"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  15. "Pom Pom Squad - Death of a Cheerleader - LP+". Rough Trade. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  16. "Band To Watch: Pom Pom Squad". Stereogum. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  17. Vozick-Levinson, Simon (December 15, 2021). "Pom Pom Squad's Remake of Nada Surf's 'Popular' Is the High-School Satire of the Year". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  18. Moore, Em (November 12, 2021). "Pom Pom Squad announces 2022 tour". Punk News. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  19. Hussey, Allison (June 21, 2022). "Bartees Strange Announces 2022 Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  20. Starkey, Adam (September 16, 2022). "Here's every song on the "Do Revenge"soundtrack". NME. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  21. Duran, Anagricel (April 6, 2023). "Poppy and PVRIS announce co-headline North American tour". NME. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  22. "Pom Pom Squad: Not Your Average Cheerleading Group". BLENDED. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  23. "Pom Pom Squad". Pom Pom Squad. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  24. Retrieved July 11, 2023
  25. Retrieved July 11, 2023
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