Arguably one of the most exciting bands of recent years, Glasgow quartet Dead Pony has really blown up recently, with a lot of big singles and playing sold-out headline shows and big festivals with their electrifying and punchy rock.
From Crystal to Dead Pony
The band debuted in 2018 and was initially called "Crystal", but as the band took a slightly different path musically, they later changed it to "Dead Pony" in 2020 to match their edgier sound. I can certainly agree that it was a wise decision, since "Crystal" would be a nightmare of a band name to search online for! Perhaps not quite as bad of a name as "A" (remember them?) came to be in the Internet age, but damn near, I would say. More about the name change and other things in this written interview at Tenement TV.
Fierce, Dynamic Tunes
My first experience with Dead Pony was with the 2020 single Sharp Tongues. The song had a pretty raw, dissonant and abrasive sound to it, much due to its distinct guitar tone. The song also had a satisfying loud, punchy chorus that hit it right home. They released 23, Never Me the same year and it had a similar sound with an even harder-hitting chorus.
Later singles follow the same formula, sharing a grungy punk sound and dynamic, impactful choruses. Having said that the band does have a great ear for making their growing catalogue of songs varied, both sonically and with creative songwriting that makes every cut stand out on its own. MK Nothing has both electronic elements and a breakdown in it, for instance, and it's a real sucker-punch of a track! Tracks like Bullet Farm is more of a rifftastic rock 'n' roll type of deal, but again with an extremely hooky and infectious choruses.
In terms of style and influence, I've seen people comparing Dead Pony with old bands like Pixies and Elastica, but I won't get further into that. The band seems quite versed in music, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if they have plenty of influences including older bands. In interviews I've read, they've mentioned '00s and mid-'90s bands quite a bit, including Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age and Blur.
Unexpected Cover of a 2000s Pop Tune
Remember the pop singer Nelly Furtado from back in the 2000s? Dead Pony does a great job of bringing new life to her old radio hit Maneater, from 2006. I personally didn't think much of the original, but the cover is an absolute banger! I have to say though, I'm quite surprised they're even familiar with the song since they must have been toddlers when it came out!
Dead Pony - Maneater
Dead Pony is certainly a band for rock fans to be excited about! What I love about them is how song-driven they are. Guitarist Blair Crichton's riffs are simple and effective and hit you like a truck. Frontwoman Anna Shields is super-charismatic and the songs are very catchy and memorable!
They seem like a great live band as well. Be sure to check out their performance at the band's performance at TRNSMT Festival below!
Dead Pony - Live at TRNSMT Festival - July 7th 2023
Debut Album is on the Way!
The band has been hinting on social media that a full-length debut album is on the way, and it will be interesting to hear what they come up with! Will there be high-octane rollercoaster grunge from start to finish, or will they mix in some softer, mellower tracks as well? Either way, I can't wait to hear it!
In an interview with Upset Magazine, Anna had a wild prediction that it would become the best rock album since Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age. That would make it the best rock album in twenty years, which doesn't sound like too bad of a target to aim for!
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| Dead Pony hinting about an upcoming album. (Posted on Facebook, May 26, 2023). |
Music Videos
Check out some more videos of the band below!Bullet Fart...FARM, Bullet Farm!
(Sorry, couldn't help it.)
MK Nothing
Sharp Tongues
Sugar Sweet (live 2019)
A 2019 performance, under the band name Crystal. The band also had a different bassist then.
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