God’s Favorite is a hardcore punk band from Westchester, NY, comprised of Jenna (vocals), El (guitar), Amit (guitar), Billy (bass/backing vocals), and Mark (drums).

The band started writing and practicing as a four-piece in July 2024. By the end of that summer, they had recorded and released a very rough demo. They played their first show in October 2024. After a handful of shows, they added Amit to round out their lineup. In the last year, they have played all over NYC, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley.

The band released “Divine Chaos” in June 2025, eight tracks, three re-recorded from the demo and five new ones.

Tell us about your new album. What was the inspiration behind it?

Jenna (vocals): We wanted Divine Chaos to be a true representation of our sound, style, and cumulative music tastes (that are all vastly different). There were three songs from our demo that I really wanted to re-record with our full lineup in better quality. The additional five songs were the rest of what we had written at the time, several of which we had already been performing. Lyrically, the inspiration came from anger and despair regarding themes like capitalism, anti-religion, and societal expectations.

How, when and where did the band originally form?

Jenna: El, Billy, and Mark started jamming in the spring of 2024 in Westchester where we all live. El has been trying to get me to front a band for years now, so the idea was to get some songs written, and I would try it out and see how I like it (because I was really hesitant and nervous at first!). I started with them in July of that year. We recorded our demo at the end of that summer, released it early fall, and played our first show a few weeks later! We added Amit after two or three shows and have been trucking along ever since.

What are some bands that you’ve played with that you admire, or just think are cool bands that you’d like to plug.

Jenna (vocals): We’ve played with so many amazing bands that it’s hard to name them all, but some that come to mind are: Gassed, Pillowbiter, Pressed Luck, FACA, Furia, Human Taxonomy, Unfortuneteller, and Disfigure.

El (guitar): we’ve been really lucky to play with a huge collection of bands that we’ve met over the past year. I want to highlight Deadline from Yonkers. A group of high school kids that I wish I was even remotely talented as. They are fantastic.

Mark (drums): Fanboys and Grave Heist! Great bands and great people.

You’ve mentioned having anti-capitalist themes in your music. If you would, elaborate on the politics that influence your music.

Jenna: At the risk of sounding like an edgelord: all human beings are entitled to having their necessities met without having to “earn” the right to survive; religion is bullshit and the cause of most of society’s problems; and women don’t exist to look pretty, please men, or be their incubators. Those are obviously not all of my politics, but they’re the main themes that have informed my lyrics so far.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?

El: Aggressive, fast, loud, and mean.

Mark: Angry, catchy, blunt

What has been the most memorable moment for the band so far?

El: We’ve had some pretty fun shows and great moments so far. Our album release show at the Corner Pocket in Yonkers was memorable. And our show at Reason & Ruckus with Halo Bite. I’ve been playing shows with J, their singer, since they were a teen. They took a moment during their set to shout me out, and it was a very full circle moment that made the 18 years I’ve thrown into DIY music feel worth it.

Returning to the theme of anti-capitalism, which is something we strongly resonate with, what are your feelings on paid streaming services that could best be described as predatory?

Jenna: We personally have our music on all streaming services, but I respect any artist’s personal decision to release or not release their music on them. None of the services are “good,” but some are clearly more evil than others. I’m admittedly a bit of a defeatist, so I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but I personally support the bands I love by buying physical media, merch, and show tickets. We’re lucky enough that the people who like our band have done the same.

El: Support the bands directly, buy merch, go to shows.

What's your favorite song to perform live and why?

Jenna: This changes for me all the time, but at the current moment, probably Big Boot. It feels the most “me,” and we usually have one or more people jump up for a guest spot which is always so much fun to witness.

El : Big Boot for sure.

Mark: Lately, it’s been Dead by Dawn and Gloveless. Both of them have breakdowns that always get people jumping.

Has your musical style evolved, and if so, how?

El: Speaking from a guitar perspective only for me, I have to say a lot of the earlier songs felt more like punk songs and less hardcore. I come from a punk background and have been playing guitar in punk bands forever. Jenna and Mark have been getting me into more power violence and metal, which shows in the newer songs.

Mark: The biggest change is going from one guitar to two. Amit adds melody and textures that have become part of our sound.

Is there a particular message or theme you hope listeners take away from your music or shows?

Jenna: Number one, it’s okay to be angry. In fact, you should be angry. If you’re not angry, you’re either not paying attention or purposely burying your head in the sand. Number two, you don’t need to sugarcoat things to protect others. That’s more a reminder for myself.

El: Exactly what Jenna said. Pay attention to the world around you. If you aren’t pissed, you should be.

Mark: Question everything. Have principles.

What are your favorite venues to play?

Jenna: Reason & Ruckus in Poughkeepsie, The Heritage in Yonkers, and El Bunker Del Diablo in Queens. Gold Sounds in Brooklyn is another, simply because I have spent way too many nights getting my ass beat to some of my favorite bands there and it’s still absolutely surreal to play the same stage.

El: Reason & Ruckus for sure.

Mark: Reason & Ruckus for the crowds, Gold Sounds for the cool factor, and Bunker Del Diablo for the DIY vibes. I love doing shows in Westchester most though. I want to see our local scene keep growing.

What's a song you wish you had written?

Jenna: I love this question because I point out songs or lyrics I wish I’d written all the time. I could probably sit here all day and name a million. One of my favorite bands, Pass Away, wrote a lyric I loved so much I had to borrow it. The song is called Crypt Keeper and the line is “Am I dead yet?” Long before God’s Favorite was even a thought, I always said if I were ever in a band, I would use that line somewhere, and I did in our song Gloveless.

If some heads seriously need to be cracked in, or someone desperately needs a big boot in the ass (metaphorically of course), which member of the band would be the one to do it?

Jenna: 100% Billy. Golden retriever energy, but you do not want to be on his bad side.

El: Probably Billy or Jenna.

Check them out at @godsfavoritehc

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