Article by: Jason Robey

Loud guitars, bold vocals, and heavy-hitting rhythms lay the framework for Big Wish, the debut studio album from The Dead Coats. From the opening chords of “Fire Again!,” the Austin-based four-piece draws the listener in with catchy hooks and beats that make it nearly impossible to sit still. On repeated and deeper listens, there is more going on under the hood.

Throughout the album, the tight and booming rhythm section reflect influences from late 70s / early 80s punk albums by The Misfits, The Dead Boys, and The Ramones. Layered with brash, thick-sounding guitars that bring Nirvana’s Bleach and The White Stripes’ Elephant to mind, songs like “Fuzz Lighter” and “Stoner Boy” hint at the band’s potentially explosive live show. 

Lauren V Warner provides the perfect vocal performance for the icing on this punk / indie rock cake. Soaring and controlled at times, screaming and unapologetic at the right moments, Warner puts her twist on the stylings of vocalists like Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Cherie Currie of The Runaways to drive these songs home.

One of the most interesting moments on Big Wish is the closing track, “Good News Last.” Starting off slow and haunting, the song evolves into a wall of heavy distorted guitars that lingers in the air long after the song ends.

Check out Big Wish on Bandcamp and all major streaming sites.