Pollyanna (US band)

Pollyanna is an American rock group from New Jersey, initially founded by Jill Beckett and Daniel McCool. The band has released two studio albums, one EP and one deluxe album.

 Biography 
The classmates Jill Beckett and Daniel McCool made a duo, called «Chasing Down Sunset» at 13. In 2017 the name was changed to «Pollyanna» and in November was released the first single «Between You and I», in recording of which took part Zion Dixon as guitarist and Matt Howell as bassist. It was produced by Rob Chiarappa, who was also playing keyboard. Brandon Bolton joined the band in 2019 and Jack Rose in 2021.

In 2018 and 2019 were released the singles: «Not So Bad», «Ghost» and «I Promise, I'm Lying» respectively, which brought local success to the bandPollyanna come to terms in vibrant «I Promise, I'm Lying». Review by Rachel Campbell from «Alrternative press magazine». 14.11.2019. On December, 2019 Pollyanna organised a concert, inviting the bands: Colly, Snarls and «Beloved Youth» that were just beginning their creative path at that time.

In March, 2020 was released a debut EP «The World Is …», containing the singles, released in 2017—2019 and news song «Way Past».

In February and October, 2020 were released singles «Good For You» and «Don't Stay Don't Go», which marked the beginning of the band's experiments with grunge music.

In 2021 the band joined «I Surrender Records» and the same year released a deluxe album, called «Sugar Coat», containing three previous singles with their remixed versions and 5 other songs.

In June, 2022 the band released their debut studio album «Slime» along with the singles: «Pixie», «SLUT», «Pathetic», «Relationship Anxiety» and «Mars». The album was warmly accepted by publishing houses: «KCSC Radio»Review by Gabi Petralia (KCSC), «Prelude Press»Review By Shannon Shumaker (Prelude Press), «Album of The Year», «Legends of Tomorrow»Review by Legends of Tomorrow (26.02.2022), «You Make The Scene»Review by YouMakeTheScene (24.06.2022) and «Glide magazine»Pollyanna Ooze Confidence and ‘Slime’ At Asbury Park's House of Independents (SHOW REVIEW) — 12.07.2022.

At the beginning of 2023 the band recorded a metal-cover for Lady Gaga's 2011 hit «Judas». In May they went on «Melting tour» with «Brick+Mortar» band. In November they took part in «The Retrovision Tour», holding by "Honey Revenge" bandThe retrovision tour.

In February, 2024 the band took part in a common «Fired Up Tour» with Plain White T'sReview by Chris «Oberrated» Ober (Pittsburgh Music Magazine). In March, 2024 they opened for «Waterparks» band as a part of «Sneaking out of Heaven Tour»Caliber TV — ‘SNEAKING OUT OF HEAVEN TOUR’ FEATURING WATERPARKS, LOVELESS, AND POLLYANNA — ORLANDO, FL — 3.26.24Waterparks at House of Blues in Orlando, FL. Review by Courtney Thomassen from «Loud Hailer» magazineWe Were Sneaking Out Of Heaven With Waterparks At Their Sold-Out Hometown Show In Houston — review by Brittaney Penney from «The Honey Pop».

In July, 2025 was released a popular single «Boygirl» with explicit music video, featuring British media entertainer «Noahfinnice». The song is an anthem in support of transgender and non-binary individuals, since Jill Becket is non-binary tooQueer band leader of Pollyanna Jill Beckett sings Slime out on the road. Interview by Jerry Nunn, 27.09.2022.

In October, 2025 was released the second studio album «Weirdo»Pollyanna want the world to know it's okay to be a ‘Weirdo’ with brutally honest new album. Interview by Amber Bintliff from «Melodic Magazine», 21.10.2025, containing 14 songs of different musical genres. For the songs: «Die Slow», «Narcisist» and «Superpower» were shot music videos.

In February, 2026 Pollyanna opened for «Meet Me at the Altar» band on «Worried Sick Tour» in support of the band's EP of the same nameMEET ME @ THE ALTAR HEADLINES IN NEW JERSEY WITH POLLYANNA. Review by Sammy Q from «Crave Music Magazine» (06.02.2026).

 Musical genre 
The band defines their genres as «power punk», «loud rock» and «bubble grunge». The databases like «Discogs» and «Rate Your Music» and also some interviewers define their music as pop punk, punk rock, grunge and power pop, influenced by alternative rock and emo. But also their songs have the traits of noise rock, indie rock, emocore (first singles). And the «Weirdo» album shows a tendency towards industrial rock («Superpower»), hardcore punk («Gravedigger», «Narrow Lens») and horror punk («Die Slow»).

 Members 
 Jill Beckett (2017 — present) — vocals, guitar
 Brandon Bolton (2019 — present) — bass
 Jack Rose (2021 — present) — guitar
 Daniel McCool (2017 — present) — drums

 Discography 

 Studio albums 
 «Slime» (2022)
 «Weirdo» (2025)

 EPs 
 «The World Is …» (EP, 2020)
 «Sugar Coat» (Deluxe, 2021)

 Singles 
+List of singles, showing a year and album nameYearTitleAlbum2017«Between You and I»«The World Is …»2018«Not So Bad»2019 «Ghost» (ft. Alex Fabio)«I Promise, I'm Lying»«Sugar Coat»2020 «Good For You»«Don't Stay Don't Go»2022«SLUT»«Slime»«Mars»«Pathetic»«Relationship Anxiety»«Pixie»2023 «Judas» (Lady Gaga cover)Non-album «Oh Lord Two» (ft. Lincoln)2025«Boygirl» (ft. Noahfinnice)«Weirdo»«Die Slow»«Narcisist»«Superpower»

 Music videos 
 Year Title Director/Producer Link2018«Not So Bad»Felipe Gomez2019«Ghost» (acoustic)Michelle Ruiz2019«I Promise, I'm Lying»Alex Wolf2020«Good For You»Alex Wolf2020«Don't Stay Don't Go»Kris Khunachak2021«Monster» (lyric video)Alex Lyon2021«Monster» (visualizer)Jessica Verello & Jill Beckett2022«SLUT»Jasia Ka2022«Mars»Connor Meany2022«Pathetic»Jessica Verello, Jade Rich2022«Relationship Anxiety»Benjamin Lieber, Kris Khunachak2022«Pixie»Eamon Judkins, Jessica Verello2023«Judas»Connor Meany2024«Christmas Garbage»Connor Meany, Elizabeth Coetzee2025«Gravedigger» (visualizer)Connor Meany, Hailey Suzanne Smith2025«Boygirl» (ft. Noahfinnice)Connor Meany, Hailey Suzanne Smith2025«Die Slow»Connor Meany, Hailey Suzanne Smith2025«Narcisist»Jet Verello2025«Superpower»Connor Meany

 References 

 External links 
 Pollyanna Ooze Confidence and ‘Slime’ At Asbury Park's House of Independents (SHOW REVIEW)
 Pollyanna's biography on «First Avenue»

Category:US rock bands
Category:Punk rock music groups
Category:Indie rock bands
Category:Grunge bands
Category:Bands from New Jersey