Former NY Loose frontwoman Brijitte West returns with a brand-new album, Brijitte West and the Greenowskis.

West first made her mark in New York’s Lower East Side, drawing on the explosive musical aesthetics of the Ramones, the Stooges and the wider New York punk scene. NY Loose developed a sound and persona that fused garage rock and punk with a glamorous edge, finding a loyal following among punk, glam and rock ’n’ roll fans that remains strong today.

GRTR caught up with Brijitte for a chat…

1. You’ve described Brijitte West and the Greenowskis as feeling like the NY Loose album that never was. What was it about working with Wilko Zanni, Lester Greenowski and the rest of the Italian band that made this record feel so special, and how did the collaboration come about?

It’s that very rare moment where all of the personalities honed by similar life experiences, musical tastes and the quest for quality work all come together. This is the best way I can describe it. I am half Italian and so have already had a clear understanding of the band on a cultural level. There was a lot of mutual respect in the studio and praise and encouragement. It just sparked from the very beginning.

The collaboration came about through a friendship with Lester. I met him while I was on tour in Italy and we had always kept in touch. We collaborated on the songs which was great as I have never really had a “writing partner “.

Lester is well connected with the scene in Modena and put the band together. It was magic.

2. ‘My Lower East Side’ takes us back to the New York club scene of your early days with NY Loose. Looking back now, what do you remember most vividly about that era, and how do you think that spirit still impacts you & your music today?

I remember the cut throat cobras as I say in the song. Other bands always wanting to bury us. It was not an atmosphere of encouragement. The other band that always is mentioned around that time is Degeneration. I would encourage anyone to see if they had ever mentioned New York Loose in any interview. This is not a mistake if you know what I mean.

I have always been an outsider. A loner who has always had to go on my own on my own terms. This is what still carries me through and hopefully runs through my lyrics. I am and have always been a survivor.

3. The new album moves between full-throttle rock ’n’ roll and more vulnerable material, from ‘Doin’ Alright’ to ‘Sorry I’ve Been a Stranger’ and ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’. How important is songwriting as a form of self-therapy for you?

It is a way to express different perspectives of my own personality. We all have up days and down days. The emotional roller coaster of life is something that fascinates me. I write from the heartbeat that keeps me alive to my creativity. I care a lot about my lyrics because I see it as an honour that fans will take a moment and listen to them and somehow form a connection with me.

That as a form of self therapy keeps me from feeling alone in my own inner world. I’m letting people in to the fun the frolic and the frustrations.

4. The newly remastered NY Loose – Monolith Kids collection revisits the band’s independent years, bringing together material from Loosen Up! and Born to Loose, including collaborations with Gary Sunshine and Richard Bacchus. How does it feel to revisit this material after more than three decades, and has hearing it remastered changed the way you feel about those songs or that period of your life?

It has changed a bit in so far as I am actually understanding for the first time what an actual achievement it was back then. I was so young and I suppose I had the energy of my youth. I was very driven. Life has taken its toll but back then I was optimistic and I was ruthless in my pursuit of my art. I think I would like to pat the young woman I was back then on the back.

5. With Monolith Kids revisiting NY Loose’s legacy while Brijitte West and the Greenowskis introduces a new chapter, do you feel you’re reclaiming a part of your musical history, or moving towards something entirely new? And what would you most like listeners, both longtime NY Loose fans and people discovering your music for the first time, to take away from these releases?

As I have said before this is the best record I have ever made. In that way it is moving toward something new. It is “new and improved” so to speak.

Monolith Kids is a snapshot of my past.

Brijitte West and the Greenowskis is a snapshot into my present day and hopefully my future.

6. What was the first gig you ever went to and did it inspire your journey to becoming a musician?

My first gig was Cheap Trick. And absolutely yes! I was inspired to write catchy pop songs with a rock attitude all dressed up in fine tailored style.

Brijitte West and the Greenowskis is released November 13

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

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Power Plays w/c 9 November 2026

ZETRA Adrena (Nuclear Blast Records)
THE HARBOURS Breathe (indie)
SUM SUN Worth The Wait (indie)
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WASTED WIZARDS WTF (Dalapop)
BLACKTOP MOJO Time The Killer (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 9 November 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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