100% Nasty Cherry: Charli XCX’s favourite new girl gang
Meet the brash four-piece with a glossy image, a killer sense of humour and a bitch-pop sound to match.
Music
Words: Amy Francombe
“ITS 2019 ANGELS SO FOLLOW MY NEW FAVOURITE BAND @NASTYCHERRYBAND IF YOU LIKE CRAZY BITCHES, GOOD MUSIC AND LOLZ CONTENT,” Charli XCX told her 3.1 million followers on New Year’s Day, directing them to a feed featuring sultry selfies, moody dance-offs in full bridalwear and a clip of sweet, sweet champers being poured into a flute balanced on a bare butt.
It wasn’t until March that the chart-topping star delivered on her final promise when the all-girl group released their first track Win. Co-written by the band’s mastermind Charli XCX, the glam-punk banger cemented their Instagram image as an apathetic pop quartet that’s part Heathers, part The Runaways.
Now the bratty foursome, made up of model and lead singer Gabbriette Bechtel, former XCX drummer Debbie Knox-Hewson, bassist (and ex-Star Wars set designer) Georgia Somary and guitarist Chloe Chaidez, have just released their second offering What Do You Like In Me. Showing a softer side to them, the lo-fi visuals see the starlets perform their silky melodies and whimsical lyrics while surrounded by witchy paraphernalia. Expect to be scribbling “I <3 Nasty Cherry” all over your notebook very soon.
The Face caught up with the UK half of the band Debbie and Georgia to get the 100% low-down.
10%: Where were you born, where were you raised and where are you now based?
Debbie (drums): I was born in London, I was raised on a small Greek island and I am now based in London.
Georgia (bass): Born and raised in the UK, based in London.
20%: When did you realise you’d be able to do what you love for a living?
D: In my late teens. I knew I had to make it work somehow because I loved drumming too much to do anything else.
G: Well it still feels like a dream and someone’s going to come in and say, ‘come on George, get a proper job’. I think it’s just the luckiest situation.
30%: What’s a piece of advice that changed your life?
D: Make people feel good.
G: That some of the best creative things can be made from having limitations.
40%: What kind of emotions and experiences influence your work?
D: Confidence, honesty, heartache.
G: Falling out of love, watching Russ Meyer films, and driving. What a trio.
50%: What can you tell us about your next project?
D: Getting ready for Nasty Cherry’s headline show in New York.
G: There’s a plan to release an EP soon. Nasty Cherry is still a baby so I’m happy to focus on one thing at a time. It’s my first band and every small thing makes me feel so excited, and we have a lot of songs I’m very excited to share.
60%: Break down your typical day at work…
D: I’m currently on tour, so: Get up, leave hotel, go to venue, soundcheck, wait, play show, love it, feel like I’m never going to be able to sleep again, go to sleep… and repeat.
G: Each day is so different, but there are small consistencies. I’ll like to have a minor crisis by 9am and repeatedly call Debbie. Chloe likes to dance while she plays… Gabby will lose her Juul and then we start writing… we don’t really have a routine.
70%: What can artists do to help save the world?
D: Make music that makes people feel what they need to feel.
G: Use your platform to give other people a voice.
80%: Who would you most like to see on the cover of The Face?
D: I’d like to see Georgia’s face on the cover of The Face.
G: Nasty Cherry!
90%: When do you feel most sexy?
D: When I’m in a car with my band, listening to our newest demos.
G: After making a bold decision.
100%: You rule the world for a day – what went down?
D: Everyone just had a lovely time. Lots of Victoria sponge and pop music.
G: I’d be a terrible leader. But I would give everyone a free electric scooter because I’m obsessed with them. I think that would make people happy too, scoot scooting around.
