Ep. 272: Avery w/ Nina Saporta and Janet LaBelle

Dec 5, 2025
1h 18m

Episode Description

Avery is a pop-punk band that started in the NJ music scene in 1999. What started as just Nina on bass and Janet singing while playing drums, evolved over the years, with Jess coming on as guitarist, Janet moving up to vocals and keys, and Mike joining on drums. Over the next 10+ years, Avery played hundreds of shows including multiple festivals, toured nationally, and released two records. Avery songs were also featured on multiple television shows on Nickelodeon, Disney, and MTV. The band also wrote the theme song for a commercial for Rebelle Friendship Bags. After a 10 year hiatus, Avery reunited in the summer of 2019 for a series of reunion shows with fellow bands from the NJ pop punk music scene. Though the members are split between the east and west coast, Avery will continue playing occasional shows throughout the year (it was way too fun not to do it again).

I got Janet and Nina on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

  • Growing up together
  • Pillow changing their minds about starting a band
  • How they felt at shows
  • The origins of the name Avery
  • Recording at Portrait Studios
  • Their connection to Black Flag and the Misfits
  • Breaking Marky Ramone's drumset
  • Nina's sparkle bass
  • Getting songs played on Nickelodeon and Disney
  • How did the band end
  • Playing the 2019 show after one practice the night before
  • And a ton more

Click here to hire my Sister who's a Realtor in Plymouth, MA
Click here for Piebald's upcoming shows

Click here to Check out Janet's DJ night Sun, Dec 14 at 2:30 PM at Wonderville on 1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York.

See all episodes

Never lose your place, on any device

Create a free account to sync, back up, and get personal recommendations.