Cheerleader rock is a music genre that incorporates cheerleader chants, blaring electric guitars, and marching band instrumentals. It first emerged over two decades ago in the mid-2000s, but it was never identified as a trend or defined as a genre. On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan is joined by friend of the pod Christine to discuss the two standout acts of this style (The Go! Team and Sleigh Bells) along with several musicians who have released cheerleader rock tracks (Toni Basil, Gwen Stefani, and Junior Varsity). Amongst other things they discuss how Nathan first discovered The Go! Team through a Cartoon Network advert, how Derek E. Miller envisioned Sleigh Bells as “‘Hollaback Girl’ with metal guitars,” and how Cross The Street by Junior Varsity mirrors Huddle Formation by The Go! Team. They round off the episode by talking about cheerleader fashion and cheerleader movies.
Links: Nathan and Christine’s Cheerleader rock playlist The Go! Team Doc 2011 Interview: The Go! Team The Go! Team tell us about the influences behind new album 'Get Up Sequences' by Bill Pearis Cartoon Network Presents: The Go-Team (Short Version) Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (Teaser Trailer) Sleigh Bells bring out the pompoms by Jeremy Henderson ”Hollaback Girl’ With Metal Guitars’: Sleigh Bells Look Back on ‘Treats’ at 10 by Claire Chaffer Sleigh Bells – the tale of an ex-pop-star fourth grade teacher and a hardcore punk from The Sunshine State by Stuart Stubbs Sleigh Bells on Their Sixth Album Texis and “Breaking Old Patterns” by Chris Vultaggio Meet the 4 Most Desired People in New York (According to OKCupid) by Logan Hill Band To Watch: Junior Varsity by Tess Growney BROLIN ALMA and HAGBERG ALICE | Disco Dance World Championship 2019 Where Cheerleading Ranks in Safety Among High School Sports by Walk Hickey
Artwork: Cheerleaders, 1959 (Syracuse, NY)
Recorded on 3/6/2025
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