Cheerleader rock is a music genre that incorporates cheerleader chants, blaring electric guitars, and marching band instrumentals. It first emerged over two decades ago in the mid-2000s, but it was never identified as a trend or defined as a genre. On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan is joined by friend of the pod Christine to discuss the two standout acts of this style (The Go! Team and Sleigh Bells) along with several musicians who have released cheerleader rock tracks (Toni Basil, Gwen Stefani, and Junior Varsity). Amongst other things they discuss how Nathan first discovered The Go! Team through a Cartoon Network advert, how Derek E. Miller envisioned Sleigh Bells as “‘Hollaback Girl’ with metal guitars,” and how Cross The Street by Junior Varsity mirrors Huddle Formation by The Go! Team. They round off the episode by talking about cheerleader fashion and cheerleader movies. 
 
Links:
Nathan and Christine’s Cheerleader rock playlist
The Go! Team Doc 2011
Interview: The Go! Team 
The Go! Team tell us about the influences behind new album 'Get Up Sequences' by Bill Pearis
Cartoon Network Presents: The Go-Team (Short Version)
Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (Teaser Trailer)
Sleigh Bells bring out the pompoms by Jeremy Henderson
”Hollaback Girl’ With Metal Guitars’: Sleigh Bells Look Back on ‘Treats’ at 10 by Claire Chaffer
Sleigh Bells – the tale of an ex-pop-star fourth grade teacher and a hardcore punk from The Sunshine State by Stuart Stubbs
Sleigh Bells on Their Sixth Album Texis and “Breaking Old Patterns” by Chris Vultaggio
Meet the 4 Most Desired People in New York (According to OKCupid) by Logan Hill
Band To Watch: Junior Varsity by Tess Growney
BROLIN ALMA and HAGBERG ALICE | Disco Dance World Championship 2019
Where Cheerleading Ranks in Safety Among High School Sports by Walk Hickey
 
Artwork:
Cheerleaders, 1959 (Syracuse, NY)
 
Recorded on 3/6/2025

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