Making A Scene On Stage: An Interview With The Karens
By Staff | June 27, 2026
We were warned about this band. By the band themselves.
The Karens are a trans-fronted horrorpunk band that blends aggressive, high-energy punk with dark, theatrical energy while tackling themes of political resistance and queer resilience. Their sound may have evolved from a joke, but there are some serious undercurrents here, addressing real-world issues like transphobia and genocide. How does that square with songs like, for instance, My Husband Got Fucked By A Werewolf?
Somehow, it works. And if you don’t like what they have to say, you should probably ask to speak to a manager, because The Karens aren’t gonna care.
What made you pick the name "The Karens" back in 2020, and does it still resonate 6 years later?
I saw Black Flag with The Linecutters in February of 2020 and thought it’d be really funny if that kind of music was from the POV of a Karen. I think the relatability is why it resonates. Pretty much everyone has dealt with a Karen in their lives.
How did the band's sound change between your first EP and I Wanna Refund (which is a great title, by the way)?
When we started, it was pretty much just a joke band. Black Flag from the POV of a Karen. But over time we incorporated elements from a lot of different punk subgenres and took the band more seriously creatively speaking. And now its something actually listenable.
What's the most annoying thing about being temporarily sidelined from touring right now?
Its not so much frustrations with not being able to tour. Its that the economy is so bad and ICE are so scary, its pretty much not worth touring at the current moment. Being an edgy trans fronted band that says fuck Israel, theres real potential danger there. Plus people cant afford merch, they cant afford to go to shows. Gas is $4 a gallon, god forbid diesel. Motels are going up and up. Manufacturing merch is more and more expensive. Its really the state of the world that sucks. We'll get back to doing shows soon though.
Which band you've shared a bill with taught you the most about live performance?
Some Kind Of Nightmare showed me that DIY punk touring is even possible. They were our DOA. Plus Molly is a badass rocker chick and it showed Bean and I that hell yeah, that shit's possible. We used all their tour contacts for our first tour. Without them, we would have never toured.
How do you integrate your message of trans acceptance and anti-Zionism in your music or stage presence?
We have songs with queer messaging, and an upcoming song on Karens 3 that touches on the genocide. We also take time out of our sets to tell people to donate to the PCRF if they can and how the trans suicide epidemic should be a cop/Republican suicide epidemic.
What's the most ridiculous real-life "Karen" moment that inspired one of your tracks?
I think most of our songs were based on real people. Outside of Karen's husband shooting his balls off at Lowe's and getting fucked by a werewolf, all those songs were pretty much real.
If you could open for any band, past or present, who would it be and why?
GWAR, MDC
Anyone (fans, friends, family, other bands) you'd like to shout out for their support?
Joe and Chud's wives and kids.
Note: The band has no idea who took these pictures. “If they get mad, that’s who took ‘em, haha“