Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers: Wednesday session edition

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teaser performing at Monash University. (01/04/2026). Image supplied by Sarah Kwan.

Earlier this year, ARIA award-winning act, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, returned to Monash University to play another MSA Wednesday Sessions on the 1st of April. The four-piece Canberra-born rock band released their second studio album ‘Glory’ in August of 2025 and are going on an international tour in early 2026. Radio Monash was lucky enough to have a short conversation with Scarlett (lead guitarist) and Neve (drummer) before their performance.

Sarah: How did you all meet? And where did the name come from, more importantly?

Neve: Well, we have known each other for so many years. I met Anna in the sandpit at school when we were 5. Then we had a sleepover in Year 9, watched ‘School of Rock’ and we were like “This looks very easy, we should start a band!” Which we did! And then the name… that’s your story.

Scarlett: That’s my story. When I was like 12, I was in the back of the car with my dad and his friend – we were driving to Salvos. And they were having this little conversation, saying “What are the dumbest band names you can think of?” And then Davey – dad’s friend – was like, “What about Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers?”

And then thank God it came back to me like a vision, 4 years or 3 years later. Yeah, so it’s really not that good of a story! 

Sarah: No, it’s something personal, at least to you [Scarlet].

Scarlett: Yeah, I was there!

Neve: Well, we had terrible band name ideas, so thank God that she had this idea. 

Scarlett: Yeah, we had some shockers before that. 

Sarah: Also, going off of Jack Black’s ‘School of Rock’, what specifically inspired you from the film? 

Scarlett: I guess we were just like, these kids were just chilling – and then this guy gives them all instruments and the next day they play in ‘Battle of the Bands’! Which at the time, I really wanted to play Battle of the Bands so badly. And now, I can’t imagine anything worse. Cause the whole world is Battle of the Bands, you know?

Neve: Yeah, we’re constantly battling!

Scarlett: Yeah, I guess it’s just how easy it looked. And they made it look so cool. And it was just the perfect storm. 

Sarah: You’ve also got a tour coming up in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the US. Did you guys do a tour for your debut? I know you did come around Australia for ‘I Love You Too.’

Scarlett: We did, and we haven’t ever done New Zealand. This is our first time in New Zealand coming up, so we are very excited! And we have done a couple of US and UK tours, but not promoting an album, just for fun. So, it’s going to be very exciting to do a whole album-specific tour!

Sarah: Where are you most excited to go?

Scarlett and Neve: Hobbiton. [Laughter]

Scarlett: I think New Zealand. We have kind of been everywhere else. It’s crazy to think that we have been to the US and the UK before but never New Zealand. 

Sarah: It’s always the places closest to home that you kind of forget about.

Scarlett: Totally, totally. 

Sarah: You also came to play at the Wednesday Sessions a couple of years back in 2024. Why did you decide to come back?

Neve: I feel like we just like playing at universities. We played a really cute school gig last week and it was just the best. We don’t have personal ties to Monash, but I feel like it’s always nice when you play to younger audiences. 

Scarlett: Yeah, totally. It’s cool that they put these on here. It’s very important to get it out for the people and so we are happy to be back. 

Sarah: What was your biggest inspiration for ‘Glory’, both musically and thematically?

Scarlett: We were listening to a lot of different music. When we were recording it, we were listening to a lot of LCD Soundsystem and Fontaines D.C. What else?

Neve: I feel like in terms of thematically, we wanted to be just a bit more refined. Our last album, a lot of the songs we wrote when we were like 15, so just little kids. And so different themes about being an adult, being more self-assured, backing yourself more. 

Scarlett: Definitely, I think it’s more of a mature and sophisticated version of what we were doing before so it felt good to have a body of work that shows that. Because we feel like completely different people compared to the first album and so it was cool to have a reflection of that musically. 

Neve: So hopefully the next one will be even more mature. 

Scarlett: It will be so mature – it will be old school. 

Neve: Yeah, it’s going to be rockabilly. 

Sarah: I remember listening to your debut album when it came out in 2024, and my favourite track was ‘I Used To Be Fun’. It is just one of my favourite songs, and I listen to it in the car, windows down, just blasting it. What is your favourite song that you’ve written?

Scarlett: Oh my god, that is a hard one. I think from the new album, I really like ‘MINE’ at the moment. It’s a really fun one, especially playing it live. I feel like playing it live changes it. Because a song might sound right, but it’s not as fun to play as others. ‘Lights Out’ is a forever favourite. It’s kind of easy, but it’s so fun to play. 

Neve: Yeah! It’s so fun, I feel like a rock dog playing it. I love playing ‘MOTHER’ live, that’s always so much fun. 

Scarlett: Yeah. That sums it up. 

Sarah: So, how are you all feeling for this afternoon?

Scarlett: Keen!

Neve: Yeah, really excited! 

Sarah: Great! Thank you guys! I’m really excited to listen to your set and hopefully the weather holds out! 

Scarlett: Yeah, hopefully! Thank you!