Montreal garage punk outfit builds international attention ahead of forthcoming album Static
Montreal garage punk band TAXI GIRLS will release their latest single “Secret Handshake” on 5 June 2026 through Stomp Records, marking the second track unveiled from the group’s forthcoming album Static, due for release on 26 June.
The all-female outfit, formed in 2022, has rapidly established itself within Montreal’s underground music scene through a steady run of live performances and growing international recognition. Following the release of debut single “Say It,” the new track signals a broader musical range from the band while maintaining the raw energy that has helped build its reputation.
“Secret Handshake” arrives alongside an official music video and offers what the band describes as a more vulnerable and melodic direction compared with earlier material. While retaining the garage punk edge associated with the group, the single leans into themes of nostalgia, fleeting romance and lasting friendship.
New single explores softer themes without abandoning punk roots
The track centres on the emotional tension of temporary relationships and the desire to hold onto moments beyond their natural ending. According to the release materials, the song was “written from a place of love and longing” and reflects “the feeling of wanting a summer fling to last a bit longer than the fading season.”
The accompanying narrative surrounding the single highlights the emotional core of the lyrics, describing the idea of “sharing something special with someone and wishing it could last beyond the summer.” The release adds that “even when time and distance make things complicated, friendship never fades, and you know you’ll always have your secret handshake.”
While the band’s sound remains rooted in garage punk and riot grrrl influences, the new single appears designed to showcase greater depth and variety ahead of the album release later this month.
The upcoming LP Static is positioned as a record that moves beyond straightforward punk arrangements, blending louder and more aggressive moments with softer and more reflective songwriting.
“The record is not just a collection of punk songs,” the release states. “There is something for everyone. Loud, raw, soft, sweet, gritty – enough to make you want to pick up the phone and call an old pal or have a solo kitchen dance party on a Tuesday afternoon.”
Band gains momentum through live performances and international exposure
TAXI GIRLS have built much of their momentum through an extensive live schedule and appearances alongside established punk and alternative acts. Over the past year, the group has shared stages with acts including NOFX, Lagwagon, The Hives, Billy Talent, NOBRO and Pansy Division.
The band’s rise has been driven largely through word-of-mouth promotion and its reputation for energetic live shows within Montreal’s independent music circuit. The release describes the group’s origins as rooted in “packed basements, blown speakers, and nights that don’t really end so much as fade out.”
That identity is closely linked to the atmosphere of Montreal itself, with the band drawing influence from late-night city culture and vintage punk aesthetics. References within the release point to inspiration from artists and films including Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, The Runaways, Girlschool and Nena’s The Stripes.
Musically, TAXI GIRLS cite a range of influences spanning garage rock, punk rock, power pop and post-punk. Comparisons have also been drawn with acts such as L7, Bikini Kill, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Distillers and Amyl and the Sniffers.
The group’s growing profile has extended beyond Canada in recent months, helped in part by support from veteran musician and broadcaster Iggy Pop, who featured the band on his BBC 6 Music radio programme.
That exposure has introduced TAXI GIRLS to wider international audiences already engaged with contemporary punk and alternative rock movements.
Static release expected to cement band’s next phase
With the release of “Secret Handshake,” TAXI GIRLS appear to be positioning themselves for a significant next step ahead of the full album launch later this month.
Industry observers have increasingly pointed to the resurgence of guitar-driven punk and garage rock acts in North America and Europe, particularly those combining classic punk influences with modern indie and alternative production styles.
For TAXI GIRLS, Static could represent a defining moment in translating underground credibility into broader commercial recognition.
The release concludes that with “Secret Handshake,” the band sounds “tighter, louder, and more confident,” describing the single as “hook-driven, sharp, and rooted in the chaos and cool of Montreal’s underground.”
As anticipation builds around the release of Static, the band’s trajectory suggests that TAXI GIRLS may be poised to extend their reach well beyond the Montreal scene that first shaped them.
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