Starbenders are a US American glam rock band from Atlanta.
Members:
** Vocals & guitar: Kimi Shelter (since 2013)
** Bass: Aaron Lecesne (since 2013)
** Guitar: Kriss Tokaji (since 2015)
** Drums: Qi Wei (since 2024)
Ex members:
** Rhythm guitar: Kyle Gordon (2013-2015)
** Drums: Katie Herron (2013-2017)
** Drums: Emily Moon (2017-2024)
Biography:
Blending glam, punk, and bubblegum pop influences, the group describe their sound as “blasphemous candy-coated bubblegum punk.” Their music channels a raw, adolescent defiance shaped by small-town Southern roots and a shared history among its founding members.
The group was formed in 2013 when lead singer and guitarist Kimi Shelter contacted her former bandmate Aaron Lecesne about doing a new project. After adding guitarist Kriss Tokaji and drummer Emily Moon, Starbenders were subsequently signed to former Lady Gaga music director/guitarist Nico Constantine’s label, Institution Records. With Constantine serving as their producer, the band has released three EPs, one full-length, one 7-inch, and six singles on Institution Records and two singles and one full-length on Sumerian Records. They released their third album Take Back The Night back on September 22, 2023.
Their fourth album "The Beast Goes On" was released on February 27th 2026. They also announced a huge Europe tour for summer 2026.
Background and influences:
The origins of Starbenders trace back to Shelter’s teenage years in rural Georgia, where she frequently encountered law enforcement over minor infractions related to curfew and skateboarding. During adolescence, Shelter met drummer Katie Herron at a wilderness therapy camp for troubled youth. The two formed a lasting friendship and made plans to start a band together.
After high school and separate college experiences, during which both performed in other projects, Shelter and Herron reunited to pursue Shelter’s renewed vision for a rock band rooted in youthful rebellion and outsider identity. Their shared experiences informed the emotional and thematic core of Starbenders’ music, often centered on alienation, defiance, and sexuality viewed through a teenage lens.
The lineup later expanded to include rhythm guitarist Kyle Gordon, discovered performing in Birmingham, Alabama, and bassist Aaron Lecesne, whom the band met in Atlanta’s local music scene.
Musical style:
Starbenders’ sound merges glam rock theatrics with punk urgency and pop sensibility. Drawing inspiration from classic and alternative rock traditions, their music emphasizes attitude, immediacy, and emotional intensity. Shelter has stated that she writes from the perspective of her 14-year-old self, using that viewpoint as a benchmark for authenticity and impact.
Their recordings have involved notable engineers and producers, including Jeff Bakos and Jeff Golden, whose past credits include artists such as Sonic Youth, Black Flag, and Bad Brains.
Starbenders have been recognized for their high-energy performances and a style that evokes the intensity and discovery associated with early exposure to rock music.
Discography:
Albums
Heavy Petting(2016)
Love Potions (2020)
Take Back The Night (2023)
The Beast Goes On (2025)
EPs
Starbenders (2014)
Julian (2018)
Starbenders on Audiotree Live (2018)
Japanese Rooms (2019)