Tweens – Photo: Jesse Fox for CityBeat

Tweens is a punk influenced three-piece local trash pop band that has its roots in Cincinnati, but is about to go national. The self-proclaimed “bratty and precocious, sincere and genuine” trio has signed with Frenchkiss Records, expecting to release its anticipated self-titled LP on April 8 of this year. Tweens, while just starting its journey to stardom, has already played some big shows along the East and West Coast, opening for and playing alongside renowned bands such as The Breeders and The Black Lips.

The addicting bass-driven hit, “Be Mean” — which has been stuck in my head for the past few days — is one of those instantly infectious songs that listeners can’t play just once. Lead singer and guitarist Bridget Battle touts her desire, with her sugary voice, for you to be mean because, “your sweetness is killing me.” The garage-y, lo-fi vibe of “Be Mean” adds to the carefree fun that brings to mind actual tweens doing whatever they can to break the rules. Get ready to hear, “I want you to be mean to me, yeahhh,” on repeat with Tweens’ first single.

The band’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tweencity
The band’s SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/meantweens