Girl Monstar

Girl Monstar formed in 1988 in Melbourne with the line-up of Damian Child (Feline Touch) on bass guitar and vocals; Anne McCue (Vertigo) on lead guitar, slide guitar and vocals; Sherry Valier (aka Sherry Rich)(Obscure Alternatives, Cactus Fever) on lead vocals, harmonica and rhythm guitar; and Ritchie Hine on drums. After a few months Hine left the band to join a new line-up of the Screaming Tribesmen and was replaced by Sue World (Wet Ones).^[2][3] The group signed with Timberyard Records and in October 1989 issued their debut double-A-sided single, "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell".^[2][3] Both tracks are written by Valier.^[4][5]

Early in 1990 Girl Monstar supported the Australian leg of a tour by Danish hard rock group, D. A. D., which was followed by a similar support for United States heavy metal band, Skid Row.^[2] Later that year they issued a second single, "Joe Cool", which is also written by Valier.^[6]

Both of their singles, "Surfing on a Wave of Love" / "He's Hell" and "Joe Cool", topped the Australian Independent charts.^[7] The single "Joe Cool", was produced by Kevin 'Cavemen' Shirley.^[8] The band provided a support show for The Buzzcocks and then The Ramones.^[2]

In July 1992 Girl Monstar released their debut album, Monstereo Delicio, which was produced by Paul Kosky (Not Drowning, Waving) and Jedd Starr.^[2][3] After it was recorded but before it was issued Child was replaced on bass guitar by Janene Abbott.^[2][3] The group disbanded in early 1993.^[2] Valier has a recording career as a country rock artist, Sherry Rich, which has included an album recorded with members of Wilco. She formed the groups, Sherry Rich and the Grievous Angels and Sherry Rich and Courtesy Move.^[2] Rich performed as part of The Grapes with Ash Naylor on guitar, and from 2004 in The Mudcakes, which included former Girl Monstar bandmate, Sue World and Rich's husband, Rick Plant. Anne McCue is based in Nashville and has a recording career as an alternative country solo artist.

In 2010, Girl Monstar were featured in 'Rock Chicks' – an exhibition held at Melbourne's Arts Centre, which highlighted the achievements of women in the Australian music scene.^[9]

In April 2025, it was announced via singer Sherry Rich's Instagram page that Girl Monstar had reformed. A new single, "Blue Cats with Green Eyes", was released in July 2025, with a forthcoming album of new material to follow on Vicious Kitten Records. ^[10] The reformation of Girl Monstar was also reported by the Australian music website i94bar.^[11]

On 14 July 2025, Sherry Rich and Anne McCue were interviewed on the program Sound Decisions on radio station WXNAFM out of Nashville, an interview which included the airing of the single Blue Cats with Green Eyes.^[12]

In November 2025, Girl Monstar released a second single titled "Hate Train", taken from their album GRRRR!!.^[13]

The band's long-awaited second album, GRRRR!!, was released on 27 January 2026 and immediately received positive reviews, with rock n roll website i94bar describing it as "a great return that holds up".^[14]

On 29 January 2026, Sherry Rich was interviewed by Neil Rogers on The Australian Mood, a program broadcast on Melbourne radio station Triple R (3RRR).^[15]

On 13 February 2026, Girl Monstar released the music video for their protest‑infused single “Hate Train,” the second single from their new album GRRRR!!.^[16]

On 24 February 2026, Anne McCue and Sherry Rich were interviewed by Dave Graney on his radio program Banana Lounge Broadcasting on Melbourne community radio station Triple R (3RRR).^[17]

• Damian Child – bass guitar, vocals (1988–91)
• Ritchie Hine – drums (1988)
• Anne McCue – lead guitar, vocals (1988–93, 2025 - present)
• Sherry Valier – lead vocals, guitar (1988–93, 2025 - present)
• Sue World – drums, vocals (1988–93, 2025 - present)
• Paddy Chong – bass guitar (1991)
• Janene Abbott – bass guitar (1992–93, 2025 - present)

Sources:^[2][3]