[1] In March 2014, the band released their second studio album, Going to Hell, which included the singles "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World", both of which topped the US and UK rock charts.

[2] Before forming the band, Taylor Momsen was an actress, most known for How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Gossip Girl.

[7][8] The original lineup of the band consisted of Momsen with John Secolo (guitar), Matt Chiarelli (bass), and Nick Carbone (drums).

[13] On December 30, 2009, the band released a new promo song entitled "Make Me Wanna Die".

[14] The band launched "Make Me Wanna Die" on the soundtrack and it appeared in the end credits of the 2010 film Kick-Ass.

[18] It contained four songs, three of which can be found on their debut album: "Make Me Wanna Die", "My Medicine", and "Goin' Down".

In the video entitled "The Words - Under The Water", Momsen appeared in a black-and-white film while saying the lyrics like reciting a poem.

[39][40] On the same day as the premier of the new track "Going to Hell", The Pretty Reckless also announced their signing to the label Razor & Tie.

[41][42] On September 20, 2013, The Pretty Reckless began the Going to Hell Tour to support the album,[39] together with Heaven's Basement.

[50] Much of the inspiration for the album came from Momsen's Catholic background, noting that "heaven and hell is a metaphor that's been used in music since the beginning of time".

[52] 2014 also saw Momsen performing at the Revolver Magazine Golden Gods awards alongside Joan Jett and ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons.

[61][62] In support of the album, the band embarked on the Who You Selling For Tour, which kicked off on October 20, 2016, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[63] During the tour, on May 17, 2017, the band was the opening act for Soundgarden during lead vocalist Chris Cornell's last performance, at the Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan, before his suicide.

The Pretty Reckless paid tribute to Cornell by performing a cover version of Audioslave's "Like a Stone" on May 20 at the Philadelphia radio station WMMR's annual MMR-B-Q at BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey.

[64] A third single, "Back to the River", featuring Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band was released on June 13, 2017.

[65] The band's longtime-producer, Kato Khandwala, was involved in a motorcycle accident in April 2018 and died later due to injuries from the crash.

"[69]In November 2019, Momsen revealed on Instagram that the band was working on their fourth studio album with Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.

[70] In February 2020, Momsen confirmed the album's completion and revealed its title, Death by Rock and Roll.

[77] On January 8, 2021, the band released "And So It Went" featuring Tom Morello as the next single for Death by Rock and Roll.

[93] According to Louder Sound, "[the band mixes] the finer elements of heavy metal with grunge and blues.

[100] In interviews, Momsen reported the influences on the band to include Chris Cornell,[101][102] Soundgarden,[103] Audioslave,[103] Hole,[103] the Beatles,[90][102] the Doors,[90] Led Zeppelin,[102] Bob Dylan,[102] David Bowie,[102] Kurt Cobain,[102] Alanis Morissette,[102] Pink Floyd,[90][102] the White Stripes,[90][102] the Who,[102] Oasis,[102] Robert Plant,[102] Joan Jett,[102][103] Nirvana,[102][103] and Neil Young.

The band embarked on a four-date UK tour starting in Glasgow, Scotland at the Barrowland Ballroom on December 13, 2010, supported by Francesqa.

During the summer, the band performed in several European festivals such as Rock Am Ring in June, Optimus Alive!

[105] The Pretty Reckless opened several Evanescence shows in October and November with two gigs at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo in London among others.

On October 26, 2011, the band performed at Ritual nightclub in Ottawa, Ontario, with guests Static Revolt and The Escape Mode.

In September 2012, The Pretty Reckless headlined the Bazooka Rocks Festival in Manila, Philippines, ending their The Medicine Tour.