A Dirty Dozen with TESS from TESS & THE DETAILS – March 2025

According to a recent press release: “Tess & The Details is a high-energy, female-fronted punk rock band hailing from San Francisco, California. Since bursting onto the scene in 2023 with their debut album Runaway (released via Double Helix Records), they’ve been making waves in the punk community. Their music has been featured on compilations like Punk Rock Saves Lives, Attention! (Wiretap Records), Distort The Bay (Destroy Art Inc.), and Pee Approved (Pee Records AU), among others. Beyond the music, Tess & The Details take pride in their relentless work ethic and advocacy for mental health awareness—all while delivering the kind of no-frills, high-energy rock that keeps fans coming back for more. For 2025, the band is gearing up for their most ambitious year yet. They’ve teamed up with Wiretap Records for a cover of “Maniac” (yes, the Flashdance anthem), along with fresh original music and an aggressive touring schedule.” We get Tess to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Maniac” is a cover of the 1983 classic from the film Flashdance. We were drawn to the song after hearing it over the speakers of this quirky venue in a small town called Crockett, California. The song has a really dark edge to it – it’s about a woman fighting for her life through her passion, and we really took to the lyrics. We “Details-ified” the arrangement by adding our signature chugging guitars and tight drums, R&B vocal runs and big harmonies. We hope the listeners enjoy our take on the song.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I remember picking up a guitar after seeing the “American Idiot” music video on TV while getting ready for school. The passion I saw on that screen paired so perfectly with the music I heard. I thought to myself, “I want to do that.” Before that I would sing along to the radio as a child – it started around four or five years old. My parents say I could match pitch super early. I guess I always wanted to be a musician, but only really felt like a real one after starting The Details.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

“American Idiot” sort of blew my world apart. Before hearing that record I was really into pop music and hadn’t explored punk rock, but once I heard that album it made me explore the history of the genre. Other bands I became fascinated with included Alkaline Trio, The Replacements, The Ramones, Midtown, Fall Out Boy and more.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Honestly? Out of left field I’d love to bring in The Weeknd. He knows how to write a hit and would sound incredible on a punk song. Why not shoot for the moon.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I arrange flowers.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

The Details are like if Paramore played Bad Religion songs. And no description is cringe, we’re just happy people are talking about our band. Thanks for listening to us.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Gideon, our drummer, is the cook, makes very good tahini. Dustin the lead guitarist is the mixologist and specializes in martinis. Those two sentences aren’t supposed to rhyme, but they do. Lawrence, our bassist, is probably the guy who can get a singalong started. And I’m the one enjoying the drinks.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The last time I was at band practice I got to talk to Dustin. That was pretty cool.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being able to put everything in life aside and hang out with my best friends and make music is the best part. Writing the music with my best friend Gideon is pretty wonderful too – there are lots of rewarding parts, but the beauty is in The Details. I’ll always be a musician.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask me what books I’m reading. I derive a lot of my lyrical inspiration from literature and encourage my young fans to read so they can write better songs and help themselves become better students and speakers. Right now I’m reading The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway for the second time. And I don’t get tired of answering questions, I’m just happy someone cares to ask.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

No, I’m not a fan of looking backwards. Every “misstep” can be a learning experience and a way forward.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d like to go forward and make another full length record with The Details (to follow up our debut Runaway from 2023), and get the opportunity to do that again, and again, and again.

TESS & THE DETAILS LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews