Interrobang? – ‘Rethink Everything’ (FOAD Musick)

Interrobang? – ‘Rethink Everything’ (FOAD Musick)

Dunsten Bruces Interrorbang? are like marmite, some people love ’em, and some simply don’t, there can be no in between, or can there? Album number two is unleashed upon the world in 2026, and this messed-up-on-fire planet probably deserves a head fuck of a record right now to properly reflect what the hell is going on.

Featuring Dunstan Bruce, formerly of Chumbawamba, and Griff, formerly of the band Regular Fries, Interrobang haven’t just made a new record, they’ve basically rewired the engine and fundamentally rethought how urgency sounds.

This record marks a decisive move away from their previous guitar-led confrontational sound. It’s a reinvention of sorts toward something more rhythmic and propulsive. At the heart of that shift is Griff, whose full embrace of synths, samplers, loops and electronic production has reshaped Interrobang into something groovier, more unmistakably dance-driven. A fine example is the single ‘Manosphere’ and the headfuckin begins.

Dive in and get head fucked by punk rock, but not as we know it, right? right! Off you, jolly well, fuck Dunstan says. Ten years in the making, it sounds complex and all over the place, dipping in here, there and everywhere and spending an hour in the head of Dunsten and Griff its like Carter on steroids but not such a leap from the previous album just different I’m not even sure how this would work live but in the safety of my house on loud it is impressive agit synth pop with chopping guitars weighing in in spaces.

Songs like ‘My Name Is’ sounds retro and very dance club retro, whilst ‘Unorthodox’ has a danceable twitch with a Bowie-like guitar lick. ‘Defiance’ sounds like it could have been paired with the Disposable Heroes of Hiphopricy.

I’m not gonna lie and say I love it because there are songs that just pass me by, but there are moments I sit up and take notice, like the acoustic string-laden ‘Broken Heart’. I’d say if you’re looking for guitar adjit punk rock, then you might want to expand your mind and prepare for a palate cleanser, but maybe over time you will grow to love this direction and the soundscapes on offer.

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Author: Dom Daley

Cyanide Pills to release Double Album

Cyanide Pills to release Double Album

On gatefold sleeve, double colour vinyl or one shiny CD!

Thirty-three tracks! Rounding up all the band’s 7” single releases to date! That’s all their A- and B-sides!

Includes two soon-to-be-released singles, one which will appear as a free 7” with the next issue of SAFETY PIN MAGAZINE, and the other as a very limited-edition lathe cut 7”.

To excite/annoy completists, there will be a third (standard) 7” released at the same time, featuring an A and B-side that don’t appear here.

Cyanide Pills released their first 7” single, Break It Up’, in 2009, following it up with a further 14 fab 45s, the most recent being a split single with Switzerland’s Nasty Rumours early last year. Most of these releases featured exclusive non-album B-sides, which we’ve rounded up for Singled Out. Good to have them in one place, innit! All tracks were recorded at the Billiard Room in Leeds with producer Carl “Razorblade” Rosamond.

“Influences? Hmm, well, we don’t just listen to punk rock, neither did the early bands because there wasn’t any,” said lead singer Phil speaking with Vive le Rock magazine in 2023. “We like the usual suspects, obviously, our favourites are the Belgian band The Kids, X-Ray Spex and Buzzcocks. We like Satan’s Rats, The Tours, Knots, The Fingers, Panic, Kleenex, Crime, The Terrorways, Victims, Wipers, The Briefs, The Spits, The Plugz, Bad Nerves, Nasty Rumours, stuff like that, loads of stuff, Syd Barrett, The Kinks, MC5, Stooges, Bowie, Ruben and the Jets, Kim Fowley, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf. The list goes on and on and on.”

We asked Phil a few questions to tie-in with the release of Singled Out…

All these tracks were recorded with Carl Rosamond as producer. What do you like about working with him?

 Mr Razorblade is a local legend around these parts. When we first went into his place we wanted to capture what we sounded like in the rehearsal room or live. He did more than that, he made us sound like a proper band. I don’t know what knobs he’s twiddling but it sure works! We are great friends and we wouldn’t work with anyone else.

What are your favourite A- and B-side tracks from this compilation and why?

For me, favourite B-sides are ‘Stick ‘em Up’ because it has the late great Jock on lead guitar, it’s our nod to glam rock. Also ‘Lock-up’. It was tradition back in the day for snotty punk bands to show their appreciation for reggae and dub by having a go themselves however crap it may be, this was our attempt.

A-sides, I like them all, maybe ‘Suicide Bomber’ because it’s becoming hard to find, I’ve heard that copies can change hands for over £8 these days! The new singles are pretty good too. 

Over the years, you’ve toured the world. What’s been your strangest gig? And what is your favourite venue to play?

Yes, we were lucky enough to meet Paul, who took us out on the road and with the help of Sandra, our booking agent, we have played in some amazing places. Highlight would be Heligoland, a small island in the North Sea, (look it up) two long boat rides away, the last boat was full of drunken punks, Conor turned green with sea sickness, bless him.

Also, a place we played just off Hollywood Boulevard called Madame Siam, I think it was once a nineteenth-century opium den. Our favourite haunts are Wild at Heart in Berlin and Freakshow in Essen, both incredible punk rock clubs. All the places we have played have been great, our tours have been eventful, and it’s been an adventure. 

How would you describe the other members of Cyanide Pills?

 Adorable! Ha, I’m not falling for that.

We asked the band members to nominate their favourite single…

Sy – ‘Waiting (For You To Call Me)’ because I’m a sucker for power-pop songs with a catchy chorus.

Chris – ‘Break it Up’ is my favourite single because it was the first one, and getting a 7” out on Damaged Goods was a big step up from playing at Batley Frontier Club. I think we put two songs on the B-side because we thought it might be our only release.

TOUR DATES 2026

1st May – Prince Albert, Brighton (with Quick Romance + Indignation Meeting)

2nd May – Punks Against Cancer @ Hairy Dog, Derby (with Skids + loads more!)

3rd May – Wharf Chambers, Leeds

20th May – Sonic Ballroom, Köln, GERMANY

21st May – Hafenklang, Hamburg, GERMANY

22nd May – Wild At Heart, Berlin, GERMANY

23rd May – Freakshow, Essen, GERMANY

7th November – Louisiana, Bristol (w/ The Briefs + Quick Romance)

8th November – Cons Club, Lewes, (w/ The Briefs + Quick Romance)

13th November – Ivory Blacks, Glasgow (w/ The Briefs)

14th November – Styx, Glenrothes (w/ The Briefs)

15th November – Morecambe Punk Festival

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

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Grail Guard – ‘Still No Future’ (TNS Records)

Grail Guard – ‘Still No Future’ (TNS Records)

Coventry has delivered some of the UK music scene titans in the past, such as The Specials and the whole 2 Tone movement, championing multiculturalism and the best of what we have to offer in the 70s. but there’s been a great gap and whilst its hard to whip up anything groundbreaking these days I never get let down with how damn good some albums are and how passionate some bands are about what they do and how they deliver it, Grail Guards ‘Still No Future’ a response to Rottens blank expression some fifty years ago this gives me goosebumps just how good an album this is, and how passionate they come across in the delivery of a tried and tested theme.

It’s hardcore played fast, loud and without any fuckin’ about or trying to be clever. Right from the off, ‘People Just Like You’ sets the tone. It’s like Argy Bargy with a fuckin’ migraine and a microphone, and they are about to speak their mind with direct delivery, and good on ’em. Right, strap yerselves in, this might get spikey.

‘Our Streets’ takes the Chisel meets Bob Vylan down a very dark alley and roughs them up into a riff-tastic home truth. Stay away from politics, I get told don’t mix politics and music, they say, but sometimes you have to make a stand and let it be known what side of the fence you are on, and I’m right on the side Grail Guard are on and hoisting them up. The lyrics might not be suitable for TOTP or BBC radio, but on my stereo, they are loud and proud. It’s awful that in 2026 there are still dinosaurs living in the dark ages and can’t get with the programme, we’re all equal, we are born, live a life and die. Prejudice and fascism shouldn’t be tolerated here, or anywhere and bands like Grail Guard feel compelled to sing songs like this is a great shame, but boy do they hit the nail on the head, fuckin awesome.

It doesn’t stop there, mind, and I can try and write witty quips, but I can’t sleep either when this is on my headphones at night. This is challenging music, it’s in your face and snarling like a rabid dog, and they absolutely hit the nail on the head with the style and delivery. This is a beast by any standard.

Over the ten tracks, the album ebbs and flows through various stages of anger and fury, and everything in between. The playing is spot on ‘Still Fucked Up’ is not a ballad, nor is it a gentle prod in the temple. It’s a boot to the temple and a piledriver to the throat. Inhale sharply because the thumping kick drum of ‘Anxieties’ is up next. The breakdown is immense, and the gang sing-along was unexpected but wholeheartedly endorsed.

With 2026 marking 50 years of UK punk, ‘Still No Future’ draws a stark and deliberate line between the 1970s and today. The Sex Pistols shouted “No Future” in 1977, and with this album, Grail Guard scream there is ‘STILL NO FUTURE’ (heartbreaking, isn’t it?) as many are facing the same traumatic experiences as those of the last fifty years. Holding a mirror up to society, Grail Guard deliver the goods and a message we fully endorse get angry, be angry, don’t normalise the bad guys and never make excuses for racism, prejudice, and hate. Stand up and endorse Grail Guard, they mean it, man. Buy this album!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Annihilator – ‘Criteria For A Black Widow’/’Carnival Diablos’ (Earmusic)

Annihilator – ‘Criteria For A Black Widow’/’Carnival Diablos’ (Earmusic)

The back catalogue of influential Canadian thrashers Annihilator continues to get a fresh lick of paint, courtesy of earMUSIC. By the late ‘90s, Annihilator main man Jeff Waters had decided to get back to the band’s thrash roots. This resulted in the reunion of original frontman Randy Rampage, and drummer Ray Hartmann. Alongside guitarist Dave Davis, the band delivered the goods with the album ‘Criteria For A Black Widow’ in 1999.

There are some great moments on CFABW, the opening track, ‘Bloodbath’ is peak Annihilator, crunchy riffs, stabbing drums, “THAT” guitar tone, and Rampage spitting and snarling his way through the lyrics. Brilliant stuff.

‘Back to the Palace’ nods to the Alice in Hell and Never Neverland albums. At a time when most metal bands were questioning their existence with the rise of nu metal, Annihilator were forging ahead with their true calling. ‘Nothing Left’ is another full-on thrasher with an amazing performance from Ray Hartmann, he was always one of my favourite thrash drummers. Superb.

The title track is another high point of the album, technical, moody, with more superb performances from a band that’s as tight as it gets. We get some bonus tracks of early demos that are interesting. A must-have in your Annihilator collection.

The band’s momentum carried them into 2001 with the release of Carnival Diablos. This time, we get ex-Overkill vocalist Joe Comeau taking over frontman duties. Hartmann and Davis resume their roles, and we get another solid album in the Annihilator discography. The opening track ‘Denied’ gives us an instant insight into the quality of the material. ‘Comeau’ sounds great, it’s a shame he was just another member in the constant revolving doors at Annihilator HQ. Battered is another full-on thrasher, Jeff Waters should be way more revered than he is. Annihilator are a very important band in the thrash metal story, and their legacy should be cherished.

‘Carnival Diablos’ is solid from start to finish. World-class musicianship and well-crafted songs that remain comfortably in their genre. Waters should be talked about in the same conversations about Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, et al. It’s a travesty that he’s not a household name. Just ask Dave Mustaine what he thinks of Water’s talent.

We get some extra live tracks and a hidden track in a well put together package. Get these albums and remind yourself just how good Annihilator is.

Criteria For A Black Window Here

Carnival Diablos Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

The Melmacs – ‘EUPHANCHOLIA’ (Bakraufarfita Records, Wanda Records & Spaghetty Town Records,Beluga Records )

The Melmacs – ‘EUPHANCHOLIA’ (Bakraufarfita Records, Wanda Records & Spaghetty Town Records,Beluga Records )

Power Pop masterclass from the heart (beat) of Germany, Dresden to be precise, when you see Wanda and Spaghetty Town, you instantly know that Power Pop Punk with rock’n’roll guitar, organ, and sweet-and-sour melodies are on the menu and if its good enough for them then it’ll be more than enough to fill up my depleated levels of power pop punk rock.

The soppy keys with the sharp guitars and the Clem Burke style backbeat hits you right between the eyes after the misleading intro ‘The Tide IS High’ thunders on, and the F-U-N begins. Hold onto that mile-wide smile because it ain’t gonna stop there. ‘Falling’, is on hyperspeed as it crashes in with that summertime keyboard wheeze chasing off the sped up riff-o-la not to mention the immeasurable amount of joy they bring with the melodies and fun at a time when there isn’t a great deal of either to be had. Listen to The Melmacs, and that will rectify any pessimistic thoughts and turn your frown upside down.

The hits keep coming, one after the other, it’s just top-notch pop tunes wrapped in various shades of guitar riffs and lush melodies. ‘Deadbeat’ has a passing resemblance to some Stranglers keys and JJ Bass thump that walks all over the song, vying for the front and centre of your attention.

‘Run For Your Life’ has the step down from the Clash, but the pure power pop of 80s new wave and FM rock n roll radio coursing through their veins at the speed of light. Spread out over twelve tracks, they never stray from the gutsy sound that’s pure and honest as the day is long. I guess the format is simple: write a killer tune, play it hard like your life depends on it, then do it again over and over, Bingo!

If you want some snotty, zero bullshit, no fucks given punk rock old school, then head for a ‘Showdown’, it’s got attitude and plenty of street smarts to take you down. There’s plenty of variety on offer here in tempo and style, but not massive departures, but enough to keep you interested throughout its twelve tracks. Penultimate track ‘Crying My Heart Out’ is the acoustic strum off with spoken word intro into a poplicious melody and chorus that old school Johnny Thunders would really appreciate.

With one stack heel boot, stomp off before they’re out the door ‘Electric Night’ takes another turn with a killer tune the likes of The Biters would have given a kidney to have penned. I’m gutted it’s only two and a half minutes long. What a killer end to a killer album. Don’t take my word for it, get out there and pick it up, you won’t regret it. Power poppin punk rockin glam slammin records are back, and you can start with The Melmacs! Buy IT!

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Author: Dom Daley

Rachel Bolan is at war with himself

Rachel Bolan is at war with himself

After four decades as the driving force behind Skid Row, bassist and songwriter Rachel Bolan steps forward with his first-ever solo album under the name BOLAN. “Gargoyle of the Garden State” is a bold, deeply personal debut rooted in the grit, attitude, and storytelling spirit of his New Jersey upbringing.

Produced by multi‑Grammy winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Skid Row, Rush, Evanescence, Alice In Chains)The album began as a simple conversation between friends. What started casually quickly evolved into a record that would ultimately define Bolan’s voice as both a songwriter and storyteller.

“Gargoyle of the Garden State is not a project, it is every bit of my soul,” says Bolan. “Like me, it knows when to be serious and also knows where the party is.”

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE

Musically, the album delivers hook-driven, anthemic songs that fuse punk energy with melodic sensibility, wrapped in swagger and raw edge what early listeners have already called “quintessentially New Jersey.” Among its standout moments is a surprising cover of Oasis’ “Rock And Roll Star”, reimagined through Bolan’s distinctive lens.

Expanding beyond his role as a bassist, Bolan performs the majority of instruments, shaping the record from the ground up. Drawing on influences from Brit Pop and Glam to Punk Rock and New Wave, the album represents a lifetime in music.

“Gargoyle of the Garden State” also features an impressive lineup of guests, including Corey Taylor, Danko Jones, Nuno Bettencourt, Damon Johnson, Steve Conte, and fellow Skid Row members Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.

“It was incredible to work with so many of my talented friends an experience I wish everyone could have at least once,” Bolan adds.

The album is out on June 12th and will be available as CD digipak, LP gatefold, as well as digital and download. PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE

At its core, “Gargoyle of the Garden State” is Bolan at his most honest, a record full of attitude, melody, and personality unmistakably his own.

Marc Valentine – ‘Uncommon Side Effects’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Marc Valentine – ‘Uncommon Side Effects’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Some people just have a way with a tune, don’t they? You know that, when it’s time to release an album, it’ll be chock full of earworms. Step forward, Marc Valentine, former Last Great Dreamer, with his third long player, the second on Little Steven’s Wicked Cool label. After 2024’s ‘Basement Sparks’, it should be clear that he knows his stuff.

With ‘Uncommon Side Effects’, you get ten quality tunes, the kind you used to hear on the radio. From ‘NY UAP’, with its simple keyboard melody, we’re straight into territory from the notebook of The Boys. An understandable influence, given Marc’s recent tour dates with the band. ‘High On The Underground’ shamelessly nicks from ‘Sweet Jane’, and reminds these ears of ex-Boy, Duncan Reid. 

Marc knows the power of the key change outro, as ‘The Other Side’ shows. Simple, effective and very catchy. In fact, that is the thread throughout the album. Writing simple, memorable songs is anything but easy. Another top songwriter, Chris Catalyst, would, I suspect, enjoy these tunes. ‘Loneliest Part’ and ‘Tiger On Glass’ have echoes of his work and Eureka Machines. They’re responsible for some of my favourite songs ever, so this is no random comparison. 

‘Half Moon Pendant’ is a lovely, brief acoustic interlude, before ‘Temporary Buzz’ clouts you round the head like it’s shouting “potential hit single!”. ‘When The Light Has Gone’ ends on a glimmer of hope and a minimal, Buzzcocks-style melody; another EM motif, and a great song. Marc should be proud of this collection of songs. In troubled times, we need a little spark of optimism and joy. Preorder, and catch him on tour in April and May. 

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Author: Martin Chamarette

Dwarves ready for June LP drop

Dwarves ready for June LP drop

New DWARVES LP drops JUNE 5! Hello, are you paying attention? ‘The JENKEM’ album harkens back to the hard, fast sound of the ‘Blood, Guts & Pussy’ era DWARVES! Thirteen short, sharp bursts of madness, and one mid-tempo classic to rope in the masses. Look for an avalanche of cool live and animated videos and a slew of cool 7″s! Get them all signed at thedwarves.com

Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Well, we’re a few months into a new year, and there’s already been plenty of quality new music, but I think there’s a big contender for album of the year already, up step Isle Of Wight finest the brilliant Grade 2 with the excellent ‘Talk About It’

This 3 piece are going from strength to strength and just keep getting better with every album. Being well into over a decade of making music from the earlier Oi!  And Street Punk influence Grade 2 are now fully cementing themselves as one of the UK’s finest melodic high-energy punk rockers. 

Sid (Vocals/Bass), Jack (Guitar/Vocals) and Jacob (Drums) are certainly honing their craft, and since singing to legendary Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong label Hellcat Records a few albums ago, they just keep stepping it up a notch. I could give lots more superlatives, but let’s get down to it, the new album. 

First up we get one of the singles ahead of the release and it’s a banger ‘Cut Throat’ starts with guitar feedback and you immediately sense this is going to be aggressive and in your face and that it is, a opening guitar lick that will be stuck in your head and a brilliant and prominent bass line throughout that Matt Freeman would be proud of. This sounds huge and brilliantly produced, these boys aren’t messing about here with the message being even in this Cut Throat world, Grade 2 are here to stay. 

Next up, we have the insanely catchy ‘Hanging On To You’ which showcases both Jack and Sid exchanging vocals on the verses, and with a chorus, I dare you to try not to sing along to. 

‘Standing In The Downpour’ will surely have audiences bouncing up and down on the band’s current UK and European tour. I’ve had a smile on my face every time I’ve heard it, it took a few listens to notice, but when the chorus kicks in, I’m sure fans of The Clash will also have that same grin as well. 

‘Better Today’ is up next and has a great message for anyone who’s struggling in this world, be it with mental health or loneliness. Speak to people, you are not alone, this is euphoric stuff. 

Title track ‘Talk About It’ comes in close to the halfway mark and is my personal highlight, with a brilliant opening riff that bursts into a “Nah Nah Nah” right out of the Lars Frederiksen playbook, with the surprise of piano playing throughout, this 2:37 song will have everyone pogoing around the room, no doubt about it. 

‘Don’t Worry About Me’ lyrically is brilliant and is a middle finger to the naysayers and people who try to push in certain directions. “I mean everything I say, I’m doing it my way, I never need anyone to validate me, so don’t worry about me”.

We’re getting deep into the album now and the next three songs “Crash And Burn”, “Smugglers Haven” and “Rotten” show off how tight this band have become, Jacob the man with the sticks keeps the pace up throughout and Sid’s bass-lines are right up front in the mix and of course there’s some monster riffs in here from Jack and some great vocal exchanges, this is like going back to the Rancid classic 2000 album and that’s a big compliment. 

And to finish this superb album, we get a double salvo of the dark, brooding atmosphere of ‘Wasteland’, which tackles the dying towns and cities of the UK, whether it’s the Isle of Wight or the country in general, it’s very apt. The writing is on the wall indeed. This is followed by the light at the end of the tunnel, the excellent ‘Otherside’, which is a song full of hope and looking forward, not backwards, overcoming difficulties. Grade 2 have made it through to the other side and is exactly where they should be!!!! 

There we have it, ladies and Gentlemen, 11 songs, 25 minutes, and we have one of the albums of the year with Grade2 and ‘Talk About It’. Once this album is in your head, it will be on repeat. Catch them on their current tour and buy yourself a copy, it’s an absolute banger. 

Buy Here

Author: Christian Davies 

Dead Pioneers – No Kings

Dead Pioneers – No Kings

DEAD PIONEERS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘WAGON BURNER’ TO BE RELEASED JUNE 26TH VIA HASSLE RECORDS

PRE-ORDER HERE

NOW CONFIRMED TO PLAY THEIR FIRST UK FESTIVAL APPEARANCE AT 2000 TREES IN JULY

“No kings, No masters / Kick against fascist bastards”

Following their packed-out first EU and UK headline tour last month, Dead Pioneers, the Indigenous fronted band from Denver, are now preparing to unleash their third album ‘Wagon Burner’, set for release June 26th via Hassle Records.

Succeeding the album’s first statement with the initial single ‘Nazi Teeth’, a powerful attack on the upsurge of the far right and white supremacists, Dead Pioneers are back with a second single ‘No Kings’, which delivers an equally powerful punch to right-wing politics.

“Last summer, there were protests all over the United States called ‘No Kings’, in opposition of the current administration, the policies they’ve been implementing, and the rights they’ve been taking away from citizens,” explains frontman Gregg Deal. “While the issues are obvious, it’s important that we all say it out loud. It’s important that we show up and make our opinions known, that we won’t allow our inherent rights to be trampled upon for the benefit of the Epstein Class.

“Not unlike ‘Nazi Teeth’, ‘No Kings’ is meant to bring the points home,” he continues. “ICE, rights being taken away, mass shootings, greed over life, demonising immigrants, black, brown and queer people, widened economic gaps by the Epstein class, and the sincere frustration Americans feel over this. While this is happening, we realise that the right-wing politics coming out of the United States is emboldening conservative right-wing politics all over the world. We are against dictators, authoritarian regimes, Nazis, fascism or any other power structure, political, social or otherwise that seeks to take away the rights, freedoms or lives of human beings trying to live their lives. To that, we keep it simple: NO KINGS.”

Dead Pioneers is rooted in a 2020 piece called The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy, a deeply personal work that dealt with Deal’s upbringing. Following an embryonic performance of the piece, Deal secured a grant to expand it to include music created especially for the work. “The idea was to mix spoken word with punk music,” explains Deal, who hooked up with drummer Shane Zweygardt and guitarist Joshua Rivers during lockdown and began kicking the concept around.

A miraculous, natural chemistry made this supposed one-off project an actual band almost as soon as they cut what became their 2023 eponymous debut album (“We approached it like I approach my visual art: execute quickly, first thought is best thought,” Deal says), but they didn’t necessarily take it seriously until, unexpectedly, the outside world did. “I was like, we’ve made this record – what should I do with it? Put it online?” Deal remembers. The response was vigorously positive, and soon came demands to commit this noise to vinyl. A first thousand-copy pressing sold out in minutes. “So, then we pressed another thousand,” he adds, still marvelling at it all. “And then they were gone, too.”

What followed was “a series of strange accidents” that led to the group signing to Hassle, befriending Jello Biafra and touring with kindred spirits like Pennywise, Propaghandi, and even Pearl Jam. “Punk-rock had made everything seem so accessible when I was a kid,” says Deal. “Like, simply having the balls to get up on stage and stage dive and then be carried off by people that become your best friends once they get your feet back on the ground.” Now, punk-rock was reaching out its hands to Dead Pioneers and pulling them onto larger and larger stages. The group returned that favour by simply getting better and better: their second album, 2025’s PO$T AMERICAN, was sharper, angrier, funnier than the debut, a riot riveted with punch-a-Nazi thrills.

And now, Wagon Burner, their fearsome third album. Described by Deal as “more collaborative”, it’s a heavier, harder but also more accessible set, vicious hooks scattered among the punk-rock melee and guest appearances by kindred spirits Cheap Perfume (on the righteous ‘Nazi Teeth’), The Interrupters (on the shout-a-long anthem ‘Never Alone’) and, bringing it back to the group’s beginnings, Sleaford Mods (on the searing slow-burn of ‘The Worst Among Us’). The world might be darkening by the day, but Dead Pioneers are rising to that miserable occasion, casting their empowering light into the gloom.

Pre-order ‘Wagon Burner’ HERE

Co-produced by Dead Pioneers and Chris Beeble.

Recorded at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Dead Pioneers are:

Gregg Deal – vocals

Josh Rivera – guitar

Abe Brennan – guitar

Lee Tesche – bass

Shane Zweygardt – drums

See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU.

July

8 – IE Róisín Dubh, Galway

9 – IE The Workman’s Club, Dublin

11 – UK 2000 Trees Festival

16 – DE Back To The Future Festival

17 – DE Adieu Tristesse Festival

18 – DE Seepogo Festival 

Find Dead Pioneers online HERE: