DYSBANDED is back with no skip, no filter The Wilcox Demos

If you’ve ever missed the time where people were raised on grit, fuzz, distortion, and rhythm, DYSBANDED is back with The Wilcox Demos, a love letter to days where music goes beyond charts and branding.

DYSBANDED is built of Boston music veterans (which honestly explains the quality and artistry pouring in each track), starting with Jonathan Anastas (DYS, Slapshot), bassist Jaime Sciarappa (SSD, Slapshot), drummer Al Pahanish (Powerman 5000, DYS), and guitarist Johnny “Rock” Heatley (Halfcocked). Some special guest solos came from Adam Porris (the Calamatix, DYS, Far From Finished), adding vocalist, bassist and keyboard player Mark “Muddy” Dutton (LA Guns, Dwight Yokum, Chris Robinson’s Brotherhood). The band also featured Kyndal Inskeep from the Voice in Season 17 and Dave Smalley of DYS, Dag Nasty, Down By Law, and All.

The lead single Black Daze, is determined to not just grab your attention but to make you stay longer right from the very first note. It will automatically get your head nodding, like a song that randomly plays on a sweaty afternoon in the backyard while your dad’s fixing whatever he broke himself. The chorus is anthemic, singing “black days, black eyes, they taught me how to stay alive”. It’s sad yet light, not to drag you down with loneliness, an invite to just sit with it. Best played with a cracked, grounded speaker where the grit and angst stands out the most.

Whatever Black Daze established was sustained by Another Broken Night featuring Kyndal Inskeep. It welcomes you with crunchy and buzzing guitars that’s cinematic, painting every scenario in your head with each verse. The track lays out the complexities of romantic relationships when it’s not romanticized—it’s presented in the messiest and chaotic form.

Bitter rings with attitude and energy from their hardcore roots. The track echoes with riffs full of swag and smoky tones that’s perfect for laid-back nights and drives. The instrumental part nearing the end of the song smashes so hard and it’s such a great song to introduce to your not-so-tolerant-to-rock friend. Turn It Up, on the other hand, sounds liberating, a type of old-school rock track that is raw and nostalgic. Rebel Son lives up to its name, ending the EP strong in the most rebellious way. It’s thumping and exploding in the best way.

The Wilcox Demos screams quality and artistic virtuosity, along with their excellent dynamics. It was more than just a product of sweaty jam sessions on Wilcox Avenue. It was the collective experience of each member, carrying up their sleeves with vintage Gibson guitars like a tribute to their history. DYSBANDED is not just here to show the pro they are, they’re proving that rock is continuously evolving and it will find us in so many ways, just like how these bunch of hardcore and punk guys does this whole retro rock and roll thing.

The Wilcox Demos by DYSBANDED is a no-skip, no filter that goes beyond the expected and definitely a gem that deserves a lot of spin!