Pinkie Promise, a band in the local Houston punk community, is comprised of four members. The band is seen as a major feminine presence in the community, however bassist and vocalist Lola has take up issue with how that is sometimes interpreted. “A lot of people take us being an all-girl band and I feel like that gets used a lot. A lot of people would be like ‘you’re my favorite girl band.’ It feels like it’s almost like a lesser than thing, like there’s regular music and then there’s girl music. With us we just want to be known as a band.”
Over the summer the band saw major success with an event they put together called Pinkie Prom. The band’s guitarist, Ali, stated “I didn’t go to school my senior year so I didn’t have a prom… but formal events are not my thing and also a lot of people in the scene don’t feel comfortable in spaces like that or don’t feel comfortable being themselves in a place like that.” Pinkie prom allowed those potentially impacted by covid or otherwise uncomfortable in a space that wouldn’t reflect who they are or want to be, somewhere to enjoy an alternative that’s more in line with the rebellious spirit of teens anyway. The band intends to continue the success of Pinkie Prom and turn it into an annual event.
For inspiration, the members had a lot of places they drew from, including The Used, and the start of their band was with members Abby and Lola being at a pop punk summer camp together in their youth. “We had an inside joke the whole time ‘we’re in a blink 182 cover band’.” Lola mentioned the name was derived at the summer camp from their bass teacher who mentioned that in high school they wanted to be in a pop punk band called Pinkie Promise, which ended up being the name the band went forward with.
Lola and Ali mentioned that while they don’t embody their sound, My Chemical Romance and early 2000s post hardcore pop punk, Ali making note that the later inspires how she plays specifically. Within the community the band stated they derived inspiration from Pacman the Movie, Ali stating “They’re the entire reason why I started going to shows. I was scrolling through band camp and twitter looking up local bands and Pacman the Movie showed up and I started listening to them all the time.” On the community as a whole Ali stated “Punk at this point in time has grown to be so many things. I feel like it’s just about people being able to be themselves and express themselves. I hope every space can be like that.”
The band’s online presence can be found on Instagram @pinkiepromiseband, as well as their song “I wish that you would die”. You can support them by listening to them online, going to their live performances, buying merch, and being a positive presence. For the extended interview as well as audience opinions, please visit the video online.