In a recent chat with Cliché Mag, Grace McKagan, daughter of Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, opened up about her music and debut album. During the conversation, she shared a secret from her teenage years – the bands she felt embarrassed listening to.
When discussing the musical inspirations behind her work, the singer revealed that she was drawn to The Stooges and The Sex Pistols‘ sounds but was too insecure to show her interest. Giving more details, McKagan explained the effect these bands and more had on her first solo record’ Heart of Hearts.’
Her words on the matter went as follows:
“I really came into my own and loving rock when I was in high school. I discovered The Stooges and The Sex Pistols. I remember being on a school field trip and listening to them in the corner, hiding my phone because I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is embarrassing.’ Even though obviously it’s not – they’re the coolest, but I was just 14 and 15 insecure, and everyone was into EDM.
I feel that every musician and writer is most heavily influenced by what they listen to the most and what they grew up listening to. There are so many subgenres of rock as well. This past year I’ve really gotten into Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions. A lot of people, when they hear my name or have expectations about my music, they think of rock. If you listen to my new EP, ‘Heart of Hearts,’ there are definitely some alternative rock elements, but I wouldn’t say it’s rock in the traditional sense.”
Grace’s first album after her departure from The Pink Slips was released in December 2022. So, you can take a spin on her songs and see if you can spot those alt-rock elements she mentioned in her statements.