San Antonio’s FEA is not a band that waters anything down. On their sophomore record, The Nerve the band invites listeners to dive deep into experiences of profound personal shifts, toxic relationships, and systemic oppression.
FEA, the feminine word for “ugly” in Spanish, is exactly that—a collective refusal in the face of the world around us. With The Nerve, they’re sharing a previously untapped emotional weight. While the band was formed in 2015 from the ashes of Girl in a Coma by Phanie Diaz and Jenn Alva, they’ve followed a non-linear path to get to where they are today.
Between navigating the 2020 global pandemic, the heartbreaking loss of former member Sofi, and the addition of new guitarist Adrian, the band found themselves in a fluid state. When vocalist Letty joined the fold, the writing followed, opening a creative floodgate. As a result, The Nerve captures personal and collective journeys of leaving abusive relationships and staring down the oppressive nature of government.
Embracing a mix of collective rage and magical, personal joy, the album is no scream into darkness. It’s a celebratory dance, an act of resistance. It’s this force that transforms their live sets into high-energy sanctuaries where fans can shed the baggage they carry and find their own power.
This sense of solidarity isn’t just a lyrical ploy; it’s a structural element of the band, picked up on the road from trailblazers like Against Me!, Babes in Toyland, and Agent Orange. Melodic Magazine spoke with drummer Phanie Diaz and lead vocalist Letty Martinez to learn more about the record, the band, and the message they want to share.
What have you brought back from those tours to ensure your own spaces feel grounded in something meaningful?
PHANIE DIAZ: Watching their interaction with their fanbase. All of them have been available to their fans. That’s exactly what we try to be… helpful and accessible, not just there as artists but as people. As peers. You get what you give and if you’re loyal to those who are showing up for you, you have to be there for them. All of these artists have this trait and it’s really important to us.
The Nerve handles a lot of heavy, complex topics, but your signature trait is bringing fun to your music. How do you balance the heavier subject matter of these songs with your high-energy, joyful band identity?
PHANIE DIAZ: We called ourselves FEA because we wanted to take this negative word that people will use against women and turn it into a tough positive meaning. To be FEA is to be strong, open and real. That’s all we try to do, no matter how tough the subject matter. We are singing about taking back the rights to our bodies all the while flailing around the stage. We are looking you in the eye and telling you to leave that toxic asshole. It’s all real, sweaty in your face, and fun. Music is an escape and we treat it as such.
Bringing French pop influence into a punk track like “Merde” was such a unique approach. What drew you to that specific era of pop, and how did you make it your own?
LETTY MARTINEZ: I was listening to a lot of Yeye French pop at the time. I just loved imagining the contrast between this sweet, soft spoken “good girl” who is a favorite amongst fragile men and the “angry, outspoken” type, a non favorite. I also REALLY wanted to sing in French even though my pronunciation is terrible.
How does the specific cultural, artistic, and geographic landscape of South Texas bleed into the actual rhythms and attitudes of FEA’s sound?
PHANIE DIAZ: San Antonio is such a melting pot of music. You can have a metal dude walking around here, but he will have a Smiths CD in his car! Being that we come from Latina descent, Spanish music is also a big influence to us as well. That definitely affects the way we write. Even though we may be categorized as Riot Grrrl or punk, we don’t limit ourselves nor do we strive to sound a certain way. We grew up listening to every genre and that all plays a part in our writing.
How are you approaching the live translation of these songs? Are there tracks from the new album that are shifting the energy of your live sets in a way you didn’t anticipate?
PHANIE DIAZ: Letty shares the story as best she can all the way, and we push and throw ourselves in the background. If anything, having Adrian as guitarist amplifies Jenn and I to throw ourselves into it. I will say though, playing “Paco” live has definitely made a shift for us, playing more emotionally with that song. It’s about the death of a loved one, so we approach it with a more emotional touch.
For someone who is currently feeling silenced, trapped in a toxic situation, or overwhelmed by the state of the world, what do you hope they take away from listening to this record?
LETTY MARTINEZ: I got out and so can you! Tell someone, document everything and stay strong. If you’re silent, it’s so much harder to get out. I hope this record reminds you of who you were before this person and that it gives you the strength to stand up and seek help. FEA is here for you.
Before heading out on tour for the remainder of 2026, the band left us with a few rapid-fire recommendations, noting that they are currently blasting Mannequin Pussy and Ecca Vandal‘s new record in the van. If you ever find yourself in San Antonio looking for the true soul of the city away from the tourist traps, Diaz has a very specific itinerary to recommend: “La Manda street to meet my mom and then down the street to the Bang Bang Bar.”
FEA gave us a parting message, encouraging readers to start anew, fight the good fight, and stay connected. In a world that asks us to live by the algorithm, the band encourages finding every way to keep up to date with your favorite independent bands – join their mailing lists, check their websites, and watch their social media channels. Don’t miss out on a chance to sing and dance with FEA and leave a little bit of what’s been bothering you behind.
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