Today, post-punk dream team Fake Names debut their new single ‘Expendables’ - the galloping title track from their upcoming record out on March 3rd via Epitaph Records.
Fake Names is comprised of members Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Dag Nasty), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN, The [International] Noise Conspiracy), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) and Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Rites of Spring.)
Formed in 2016, Baker describes the band as a “mutual admiration society,” saying that once the five members got in the same room together, it felt as if they had already been in the band together for years. “There’s this intangible energy, a clairvoyance that comes from our shared experience,” he explains. On ‘Expendables,’ the result pairs their unparalleled pedigree with a pop sensibility that’s slightly unexpected and wholly satisfying.
Boasting modern production paired with Bad Religion-esque backing vocals, Brian Baker says of ‘Expendables‘, “that song has so much classic Michael Hampton in it that I just laugh every time I play it. It’s just so hooky and it’s got this soaring chorus that still excites me now and I’ve heard it, like, 175 times.”
Aided by producer Adam “Atom” Greenspan (IDLES, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), the upcoming album has a surprisingly cleaner sound for the hardcore punk veterans. According to Baker, “the pop influences are a little more out front on this one and the production really helps it shine. It sounds more direct, more urgent.” It’s the latest exchange in a musical conversation that spans four decades, but instead of rehashing the past, ‘Expendables’ is a reinvention that sees the band dialling back the distortion and leaning into the melodies.
Previous single release ‘Delete Myself‘ plus this new track promise a banger of an album, to be played on loud!
Pre-order ‘Expendables‘ from HERE
Main Photo Credit: GLEN.E.FRIEDMAN
- Targets
- Expendables
- Delete Myself
- Go
- Don’t Blame Yourself
- Can’t Take It
- Damage Done
- Madtown
- Caught In Between
- Too Little Too Late
Keep up with Fake Names on Their Socials
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Live review: Brazilian punk girls Refugiadas rock the Netherlands, 23rd Jan 2025
On Thursday 23rd January 2025, Brazilians Refugiadas played in the Graauwe Hengst venue, as part of their first European tour, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Spoilers (10th Anniversary gig), London New Cross Inn, 24th Jan 2025
The New Cross Inn may not be sold out tonight, but there is a friendly, community feel amongst the folks who’ve turned out for an
Six of the best – 23rd January 2025
New releases from: Oh The Humanity – ‘Ground To Dust’, State Of You – ‘On A Knife’s Edge’, Mala Vista – ‘Don’t Owe You’, Rebel
Split Dogs return with new single ‘Lafayette’
Bristol quartet Split Dogs have released a new single ‘Lafayette’, in advance of their ‘Here To Destroy’ album – out on February 28th via Venn
Eddie Garrity / Edweena Banger passes away at just 65
Waves of shock and grief have rippled through the punk community, following the announcement on Louder Than War this afternoon that Eddie Garrity / Ed
Photography and comedy events start the year at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas!
Join The Punk Rock Museum on January 25, 2025, when they welcome the opening of the exhibit Saint Vitus Bar: The First Ten Years: Photos
Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
