Localized: P.S. Destroy This

They don’t call the month “March” for nothing. Get up, go outside and attend protests, mental health support groups and most importantly, live music events. Fight the Future and P.S. Destroy This are two badass bands that organize much more than just shows. With a steadfast diligence to remain authentic to their genre’s roots, you won’t want to miss their compelling cries at Kilby Court on Monday, March 17 with a crushing opening set by Venus Death Trap. This $5 show, sponsored by Riso-Geist, opens at 7:00 p.m. and music kicks off at 8:00.

In response to a hustle-bro and tradwife uprising, it’s no surprise ‘90s riot grrrl is making a comeback — but it is a great delight. The sanctuary of sharing music in Salt Lake is rich, both in talent and in the number of people chomping at the bit to share what they have to say, as well as many listeners eager to get in the pit. The punk circles in particular are highly supportive; Salt Lake City is known for holding many local shows with high attendance rates. P.S. Destroy This is one of the many incredible bands behind this incredible exchange of artistic expression. With a strong understanding of why they create, they bring a whole new vitality to the revived genre.

Friends Allyson Katana and Teagan Stewart had known each other for years when they decided to try their hand at creating music together. While they played bass and guitar respectively, they were looking for a drummer to complete their group. Sammy Jones was conveniently looking for a group to drum for. After attending a MSKING show, Jones asked the band if the members knew anybody looking for a percussionist. Thus, the trio was introduced and the band began. The group was originally called “Teddy Unchained” — an homage to the Teddy Girl subculture started by femme rebels in the 1950s. The inspiration for the new name originates from a true crime podcast that Stewart had listened to, telling the story of a murder case in which a husband had killed the couple’s shared roommates. In an attempt to frame his wife, he wrote letters to her from jail with incriminating clues. At the end of one letter he wrote “P.S. Destroy This,” which resonated heavily with Stewart, who immediately brought the idea to Katana.

“I always think of P.S. Destroy This as a journal from high school that you desperately want to burn, but it holds all of your memories in it.” 

Taking notes from Bikini Kill, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, X-Ray Spex and Crass, P.S. Destroy This carries on the tradition of pushing the envelope and synthesizing exquisitely loud sound. The overall message that the group relays is: we are here and we are not scarce. As a wildly talented and well-known band, P.S. Destroy This is connected with many other punk groups in the scene. While Salt Lake bands are kind and welcoming, they are not immune to the influences of the overarching political theme in our state and country.

The band explains to me that they have felt like the “token femme” or “token queer” band on the bill. Meanwhile, at the shows P.S. Destroy This have organized themselves, it’s a whole other story. Last October, they put on Riot Grrrl Halloween with a bill of four all-femme local bands.

The group has made incredible use of their events as an opportunity to fundraise for local community members and causes they believe in. From benefit shows for Palestine and hurricane relief to equipment for local DIY venue Your Mom’s House, the group is always willing to lend a hand to their community. They often, at the last minute, will announce to the crowd that any sales from merchandise will be donated to someone in need. The merch in question is usually “junk journals” made by the band themselves, available for purchase. “I always think of P.S. Destroy This as a journal from high school that you desperately want to burn, but it holds all of your memories in it,” says Stewart.

P.S. Destroy This will be playing many more shows and they plan to release an album this summer. Find the band on Instagram at @p.s.destroythis and be sure to attend Localized at Kilby Court on March 17.

Read more recent Localized interviews:
Localized: Fight the Future
Localized: Fur Foxen