PRESS QUOTES
“"...they’ve crafted a full length full of beachy garage pop party hits where the oddball psych flourishes abound"." - Courtney DelMar, 50thirdand3rd
“BEASTII produces spacey surf-rock grooves, pushing the boundaries of garage rock inspired by the infinite possibilities of the unknown.” – Jessi Roti, Chicago Tribune
“…scorching, tuneful punk…and the synth-infused pop…” – Gossip Wolf, Chicago Reader
“’Connect the Dots’ is a burst of boisterous garage rock that leans solidly into new wave egg punk territory. It’s wonderful in a primitive blissful Angry Angles-esque way with out-of-this-world pop chops.” -Cribs, 50thirdand3rd
"The three-piece wrecking crew slathers together an irresistibly spacey collection of riffs woven into a supremely catchy basket of hooks." - Ald. Dan Rostenkowski, Victim of Time
"'[Can't Wait]' is carefully measured bits of the sacred science from rock and roll history plastered together with house show sweat. "- Matthew Faux, Midwest Action
"It's clear they are having fun with the sci-fi/punk schtick, but make no mistake: beastii kicks ass." - Dennis White, Dadastic Sounds
Surf-punk hellion occult rockers from another galaxy, BEASTII, are a musical monster with many limbs and a mouthful of sass. The post-punk extraterrestrial wrecking crew from Chicago emerged from the void in 2015 as a moody lo-fi darkwave electronic bedroom pop side-project by Jen Dot (Swimsuit Addition). Dot recorded the initial Love Harder EP over a few months, constructing songs by combining live and electronic instruments. Her friend, Chris Lee (Soddy Daisy, Boodhype), mastered it.
After numerous show offers, Dot and Lee decided to play a live set, opening for Micachu & the Shapes. To keep it simple, straightforward, and true to their roots as live musicians, they transformed the band into a high-energy 4-piece, forging the volatile compounds of post-punk, ‘60s garage, grunge, and a labyrinth of psychedelic pop. This concoction spawned their first EP, Can’t Wait, in 2017, along with their 2022 release of unreleased tracks B.E.A.S.T.I.I.
The band has featured a stacked cast of Chicago musicians, including Maureen Neer (Soddy Daisy, Bloodhype), Becca Nisbet (Swimsuit Addition, The Baby Magic), Dom D'Amico (MAMA, Mystery Actions), Asha Adisa (Orisun), Kai Black (Orisun), and multidisciplinary artist Jesse Fevvers. BEASTII has played all over Chicago and the Midwest, sharing stages with local pals and touring acts. Their music has been featured on compilations by Girlsville Records, Dumpster Tapes, and Don't Panic Records. It has been featured in independent films and TV shows such as Holy Trinity, Raising Adults, and Carmilla Vive.
With the incorporation of its moving parts and members, BEASTII has grown more limbs, eyes, and heads. In 2024, it returned to honor its darkwave and electro roots, fusing them with the energetic punk presence of its live performance on its second EP, Follower, which critics have called “dangerously great,” “enchantingly cohesive,” and “a great journey through music and moods.”
BEASTII is
Jen Dot - vocals, guitar, keys, electronic drums
Jesse Fevvers - vocals, guitar, electronic drums
Chris Lee - drums, backing vocals
Asha Adisa - vocals, keys
Kai Black - bass, keys
MUSIC VIDEO PLAYLIST
To request interviews with BEASTII, please get in touch with disappearing.editors@gmail.com
MUSIC PLAYLIST
PRESS ABOUT
FOLLOWER EP (2024)
“As the fall season ushers changing leaves, the need for some surf-witch psychedelic tunes rolls in with the breeze. Everything in this album is enchantingly cohesive and they are probably one of the best new dance-punk acts to come out of Chicago… The alchemical structure of Follower is delightful to hear, mixing wistful lyrics, groovy bass, surf-style guitar riffs, steady drums, and a hypnotic keyboard to create a dangerously great sound… BEASTII appreciated many sounds equally among Follower, interspersing the album with slow jams, fast flings, and techno beats.”-Fiona Rae, Maximum Rocknroll
“I’ve always felt bands that did the whole garage rock revival thing take themselves too seriously, but with Beastii, there’s an element of fun and joy that comes through vividly in arrangements. This record is a great journey through music and moods. Don’t sleep on this album.” -Forrest Gaddis, Dying Scene
“The band… draws some clear inspiration from 60’s garage rock, which is very apparent in the guitar riffs of opener ‘Justine.’ The crunchy groove would get the Davies brothers to give a respectful nod. The playful synths give the song fun energy, and its lyrics about a woman who is cool, assured, and maybe a little dangerous give off Bikini Kill vibes in the best ways.” - Kyle Decker, In the Loop Magazine
“Chicago quintet Beastii makes rip-roaring dance punk on its new album “Follower” (beastii.bandcamp.com). At just over two minutes in length, the second track, “The Limit” exemplifies the spirit (and blistering brevity) of early classic punk. “Spilt Milk” and “Butch Beach” conjure images of surfers riding the waves of Lake Michigan, while “Evil Eye” and “Trusted Mystik” represent darkwave at its eeriest.” - Gregg Shapiro, Georgia Voice