It’s probably safe to say that at this point, if you favor yourself the math rock, you don’t need another introduction to Chicago’s Piglet. In their short span of life, they managed to make an impact still felt today, and likely to carry on as further generations experience Lava Land for the first time in all it’s spastic millennial glory.
But you may not have heard, or at least heard as much about their spookier musical cousins, Murder in the Red Barn, peers of Piglet’s hailing from Milwaukee. Recently Dipterid Records reissued their albums which was a big help, but altogether, let’s just say that we’re glad that today we get to mention both bands in the same sentence, as members of both have formed Denude alongside members from Fuiguirnet and Credentials as well.
It’s a grinding, strutting, semi-broken kind of sound, and honestly, we love it – we think you will too. Check out the premier of their debut single “Oh Friend Entropy” below.
It manages to feel heavy without relying on heaps of distortion or growled vocals, which don’t get us wrong, we love. But it’s fascinating to hear Denude’s unusually limber take on what feels like real emotional weight. To supplement this, here’s an exclusive slice of insider pie with drummer Matt Parish:
“I think most of what Denude is about is represented pretty well in Entropy; musically and lyrically. Like we’re all staring down the barrel of this dystopian gun but no one really seems interested in trying to find out why or even how to get out of the way. It’s super fun to play though so fuck it right? That seems to be the consensus we’ve all arrived at right? …fuck it?”
We feel that, man. Denude are set to release their debut album, A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees, January 10th, 2025 in collaboration with Dipterid Records and Expert Work Records. Here’s a stab more from the original press release:
Denude, the Illinois-Wisconsin based math rock trio, is unveiling their debut LP, A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees. Ahead of the full album, the band is unveiling their lead single, “Oh Friend Entropy,” a track that encapsulates the band’s raw energy, intricate soundscapes, and thought-provoking lyrics. Formed by veterans of Chicago and Milwaukee’s underground scenes, Denude brought together James David (Murder in the Red Barn, Fuiguirnet), Jesse Schomisch (Fuiguirnet), and Matthew Parrish (Piglet, Dr Manhattan). Their collective history spans decades and is steeped in the rusted vans and DIY spaces of the Midwest. The roots of Denude run deep. Back in the early 2000s, Matthew Parrish, then the drummer for Piglet, attended a show at Chicago’s Fireside Bowl to see James David’s band, Murder in the Red Barn. “I was eager to form a connection with the band,” Parrish recalls. The two groups became fast friends, playing countless shows together in basements, skateparks, and DIY art spaces across Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Louis. Recorded with minimal production over three days at Howl Street Recording in Milwaukee, the album captures Denude’s live energy with precision. Engineered by their long-time friend Shane Hochstetler (Child Bite, Call Me Lightning), A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees was tracked in just 14 hours, resulting in a visceral eight-track LP. “Oh Friend Entropy” showcases everything that Denude is about: layered instrumentation, dynamic shifts, and lyrics that confront the anxieties of modern life.
Pre-order the record here.
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here, but if you’re in a generous mood you can also donate to folks like Doctors Without Borders, the PCRF, Charity Water, Kindness Ranch, One Tail at A Time, Canopy Cat Rescue, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that could probably use it more – click on their names above to check ‘em out if you’re so inclined. Thanks again!)