Leeds-based rock act Moose Wrench have been all over these pages this year, with four shares of their singles since the summer. It’s all been building to this moment, the release of their new EP which brings together the tracks we know and love with some new bangers. It’s called Not Dead Yet.
By Graeme Smith
Moose Wrench claim to have formed in Las Vegas, USA in 2022 but with everything the band have to say for themselves, you have to take that story with a pinch of salt. Fans of rock like Faith No More and Primus, they combine that with the eccentric British flavour of Mr. Bungle, creating something quite unlike anything else I’ve heard.
Not Dead Yet give us a cross-section of the Moose Wrench sound, proving to be the perfect introduction to the band for those that need it. It starts with Directionless Twat. A soft, Dylan Thomas poem introduces things before we get the twist of some pacey, relentlessly looping rock. Some big notes give us a classic rock vibe with overtones of post-rock and punk. It’s a breathless and superb start.
Ginnel Dick is a moodier number with a vibrant tempo, visceral lyrics and plenty of fuzzy guitars. Don’t Let Me Down slows things down a touch with a sultry electronica-infused number that arrives at a maximalist crescendo. Title track Not Dead Yet brings back some hard punk, with a plenty of growling and metal sentiments. It’s a highlight.
Dingleberry Fyn‘s machine gun delivery is somewhat tempered by the toilet humour of its lyrics. It rallies in an earworm chorus before the band finish the EP with their unique cover of the Ting Tings Not My Name.
Moose Wrench are Dr. Moose on ranting, keytar and programming, Mr. Moose on bass and backing vocals, and Moose Jr. on drums and “pressing play”. Not Dead Yet was recorded at Greenmount Studios, Leeds and you can give it a listen below.