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By now, KSM has grown used to the look of astonishment on peoples faces. It makes the band laugh to get the same old questions: How could five teenage girls possibly play so well? Its gotta be a trick, right? Wrong. KSM is the real deal, and every time they take the stage, the L.A.-based quintet blows em away. Now, with the impending release of their 2009 Buena Vista Records debut CD and their national summer tour opening for Demi Lovato, KSM is poised to show the world what girl power is all about.
This wont be the first time theyve shared the stage with Demi. Theyve opened for her, as well as Honor Society and Jonas Brothers recently. In fact, their Jonas Brothers date in Detroit led to MTV Buzzworthy praising KSMs single, Distracted, adding Were thinking their LP may well be hyperventilation-worthy in its own right. That single, which was featured on Radio Disney Jams 11, perched in the Radio Disney Top 30 for three months straight. But the girls earned all their success, touring clubs and high school campuses across the country over the past year (and even tearing the roof off L.A.s Roxy nightclub before an audience of arm-crossed skeptics, who dropped the skepticism after one song).

They may not be the first all-girl rock band The GoGos, The Runaways and The Bangles did it years ago but KSM is different. Theyre younger, looser and they rock so much harder. No wonder they grabbed the attention of Buena Vista Records and producer/songwriters Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil.

When it comes to making music, Kate, Katie, Shae, Sophia and Shelby are a five-girl wrecking crew unto themselves. Sure, in songs like "Permission to Party" and "Saturdays Sundays," they sing of the world they know: boys, dating, texting, playing and partying. Yet they also bring a surprising measure of depth, especially in songs like "Dont Come Crying" and "Every Time You Go." Says lead singer Shelby Cobra, "Being all girl, all teen, were usually pre-judged. People dont expect that much but we usually convince the audience that were a legit rock band, and not just a chick band.

KSM got its start in 2006 when the original GoGos decided to mentor a new all-girl teen rock band with the same creative fire. Thats exactly what they got, starting with bassist Sophia Mellon. The 17-year-old grew up near the Santa Monica beaches, but spent her time playing music with a succession of bands. "Ive gone through so many bands, but I always kept looking," she recalls. "The guys in my bands treated me with respect, but when I would perform, I got a lot of Oh, shes not a real musician. I always had to prove myself. My dream was to find an all-girl band, and I finally found it."

Though 100 percent committed to the band, the members of KSM havent forgotten theyre still teens. Prankster Kate admits she once t.p.d the car of their music director. Katie says all five are best friends and hang out together after rehearsals or shows.
But now, with the release of the new CD looming, the members of KSM have their game face on. Young as they may be, the girls know their time is now. We have our distinct personalities, but musically and emotionally we get along, says Sophia. Its remarkable how all the hard work weve put in is finally paying off.