Florida transplants originally from Toronto, Canada, LIVING DEAD GIRL is a female-fronted metal band that exploded onto the alternative music scene with their debut album Exorcism in 2021. Created by vocalist and songwriter Molly Rennick, Exorcism boasted 11 banging tracks including the hit single “Alive,” which reached the Billboard charts with two weeks at #1 as the Most Added song on the Mainstream Rock Indicator.
A noteworthy fact about the band is that Rennick was thought to be a stillborn at birth. However, Rennick survived and grew into the powerhouse vocalist she is today, which boasts a significant and meaningful underlying story to the name Living Dead Girl.
The band recently released a music video for the single “Ugly.”
INFLUENCES
Avril Lavigne “I Can Do Better”
The first song that comes to mind for me is “I Can Do Better” by Avril Lavigne—honestly, the entire album The Best Damn Thing, but that song sticks out to me. It’s got angry, “F-you” lyrics, bright, sparkling vocals, with an attitude-soaked performance—right down to Avril’s drunk, almost scream in the bridge with unscripted laughter in it. This song has so much angst, attitude, a catchy chorus, and Travis Barker on drums. I think this song’s blend of being an upbeat, feminine pop song, with the pop punk sound and the angry lyrics, really struck a chord with me when it was released—I was 8 years old at the time! I always wanted to find a way to combine that girly pop music and the angry, more rock ’n’ roll (eventually metal, the more my taste developed) sound. I love both of those attributes so much, and Avril being a pop star with an edge to her has always inspired me as an artist.
Marilyn Manson “The Beautiful People”
Call me cliché for choosing this song of Manson’s entire catalog. I’m not saying it’s my favorite song (although it is excellent), it was just the first Manson song I ever heard. I do remember seeing the “Personal Jesus” music video at age 10 as well, but I recall hearing “The Beautiful People” even before that. I grew up in a household that listened to rock music, but it was always more classic rock. Manson was my introduction to the vocal fry screams and darker subject matter. His music had me buying black lipstick from the Halloween section of a drugstore at age 10. Yes, I have photos of this! This is the moment everything changed for me. I was so drawn to the imagery of his albums and music videos, I loved his makeup and stage wear, the lyrics were thought-provoking, and the star of it all to me was the raspy vocals and eccentric stage presence. He inspired my vocal style and performance so much and was the gateway to me finding more bands in that realm to listen to.
In This Moment “Whore”
I want to personally thank Maria Brink for writing this song. This song was the first time I ever successfully attempted screaming. I was in my parents’ basement at age 15, singing along to this track. When it came out actually sounding good for the first time, I stood there with my jaw hanging, literally shocked, for a minute. Then kept doing it over and over. I even filmed it, and that cringey video still exists on my laptop (laughs). That was the moment I decided I need to be a metal singer. I was already singing and aspiring to be a professional musician, but discovering my scream changed the game for me. The lyrics of this song are also super resonating. I feel them so intensely and relate to her message so much. It is possibly the most empowering anthem of all time. This song is powerful.
Motionless In White “Reincarnate”
This song came out when I was 15 years old, when starting my little rock bands and experimenting with my vocals and different styles, trying to find which world I fit in as an artist. The music video, the song itself, the bands’ makeup and performance, everything about it was really influential to me. It’s still my favorite Motionless In White album. It’s one of those albums you don’t skip a single song. “Reincarnate” was another song that was a part of my journey of learning how to scream. I think it was the second song I attempted after doing “Whore.” I loved the anger and energy in the breakdown and remember 15 year old Molly screaming, “You make me fucking siiiiick!” passionately, so excited to have found something that I absolutely love doing. This song was definitely a big part of that.
Halestorm “Love Bites”
Lzzy Hale’s vocals are undeniably one of the best ever. She is so incredibly talented and one of my favorite vocalists. I discovered Halestorm around age 15/16 and doing so added another positive female role model to my roster. I looked up to her then, and I still do now. “Love Bites” was the first song of theirs I found, and the vocal performance, energy, catchy chorus, and lyrics all had me hooked immediately. She is truly a rock icon, and I’ve spent years singing along to Halestorm songs trying to spice up my vocal capabilities with a different style than what I usually do. Her music has been really influential on me, but, of course, “Love Bites” is the song that stands out.
ESSENTIALS
“Exorcism”
This is my favorite Living Dead Girl song. Not that I think I should pick a favorite song because it feels like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. I created them all, and they all have their own significance to me, but “Exorcism” is my baby. I’m so beyond happy with how all the different elements blended seamlessly. This song has a lot going on, but that’s what’s so fun about it. It’s distinctly Living Dead Girl—upbeat, high energy, sing-along chorus, cool lyrics, but with huge screams and an awesome riff. It’s heavy and poppy, both at the same time, and I listen to it all the time and never get sick of it. It’s definitely the song I’m most proud of, and the first one I show to people!
“Poltergeist”
This one might surprise people, but, honestly, I believe it is one of my best songs. “Poltergeist” has such a chilling, haunting vibe—the choir in the chorus gives me goosebumps. The atmospheric sounds and the folklore inspired lyrics make this song feel very immersive to me. It teleports me to another world when I listen to it. Then the breakdown shifts the song into heavy gear, then seamlessly comes back to the beautiful choir. This song really plays up the horror influence that shaped the album as a whole, and the music video to accompany it is so creepy and cool.
“Beautiful”
A fun song with a serious message—that’s become my “thing.” “Beautiful” is a song with a dark, serious topic (becoming addicted to body modifications, a path I’ve found myself beginning to go down a few times in my life), but presented with a fun energy. I don’t like songs to be so serious that they’re boring. Even when I’m talking about dark or serious subject matter, the sound needs to still have a catchy chorus and high energy. Just because the lyrics are serious doesn’t mean I want to make boring, serious music! “Beautiful” perfectly exemplifies that. A good message in a headbanging package.
“Escape”
This song has a bit more of a metalcore sound to it that I really love. The chorus’ high notes soar, and the verse is so in-you-face with the screams. It’s a great representation of Living Dead Girl as a band, how we can do heavy and catchy all at once. I had so much fun writing this song. I initially cracked a joke in the studio that lead to the lyrics actually being written. I wasn’t being serious at first, and then I suddenly was and thus “Escape” was born! This song is one of the fan favorites, and we’re always being asked to play it live. It’s definitely a Living Dead Girl essential!
“Alive”
The song that started it all. Any OG day-one Living Dead Girl fan remembers us dropping this in October 2020! This song will always have a special place in my heart, as it was the beginning of Living Dead Girl’s career. It was the first single we officially released. It had a music video with a view count that exploded quickly, it was charting on many radio stations, and it was what got Living Dead Girl put on the map. This song is a feel-good, positive lyrics, bop. It’s less heavy than the rest of Living Dead Girl’s catalog, but it’s still so Living Dead Girl at the same time. I think the lyrics being a fun, positive message is what makes this song likable to many people—a lot of people are tired of metal always being so serious or depressing. Of course, there is a time and a place for all of those songs and the feelings conveyed in them. I’d be lying if I said I don’t love emotional songs, but it’s refreshing to hear heavy music with positive lyrics.
Catch Living Dead Girl on the remaining dates of The INFECTIOUS TOUR!
07.26. Glasgow, KY @ AJ’s Place
07.27. Gainesville, GA @ Blackstrap Rock Hall
07.28. Orlando, FL @ Conduit
09.20. Owen Sound, ON @ The Harb
09.21. Tillsonburg, ON @ Paddy’s Underground
09.22. Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
09.25. Kingston, ON @ Overtime
09.26. Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
09.28. Sudbury, ON @ SICK Horror Convention
09.29. Toronto, ON @ Bovine Sex Club
11.14. West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable Street w/ LYLVC
11.15. Satellite Beach, FL @ Wynfield’s w/ Burning Witches + LYLVC
11.16. Sanford, FL @ West End Trading Co w/ LYLVC
11.17. Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug w/ LYLVC
