Naarm/Melbourne-based rock/punk duo Mannequin Death Squad make a triumphant return with their sophomore album, ‘Wise and Dangerous’ – produced by the band, mixed by Brent Quirk and mastered by Matt Gray (Violent Soho, The Veronicas). Accompanying the release is the music video for the impassioned focus track Shame.
Shame unfurls with a delicate passage featuring Elly Vex‘s dreamy vocals lilting over moody acoustic guitar, and lulls you into a false sense of security before their ferocious punk-infused energy takes charge. Staying true to their genre-bending ways, the track navigates unexpected twists, blending gritty riffs, adrenaline-fueled drums, and pulsing basslines with moments of brooding mid-tempo rhythms. Fuzz-drenched guitars crash in like waves as Elly‘s powerful vocals mirror the paradox of being taken for granted for being too forgiving.
Mannequin Death Squad talk about the inspiration behind Shame: “Coming to terms with the fact that you are too nice and are getting walked over in life, Shame is an indie rock anthem about taking responsibility for things not going your way. It’s about accepting that you are not special, and life is what you make of it.”
In the live arena, the duo supported Suicidal Tendencies across their sold-out Australian Tour and has shared the stage with acts such as Soulfly (USA), Hollywood Undead (USA), DZ Deathrays, Frenzal Rhomb, WAAX and SOFT PLAY (UK). They have also toured both nationally and internationally, headlining shows across the United Kingdom, Europe and India, including events such as Rebellion Festival (UK) and SXSW (AUS). After selling out their hometown headliner at Bergy Bandroom (250 tickets), Mannequin Death Squad are taking their electrifying live performance across Australia on the upcoming ‘Wise and Dangerous’ National Tour.
Previous releases have been widely embraced by Spotify, Apple Music, triple j, triple j Unearthed, Double J and Australian community radio such as 3RRR, PBS FM, 4ZZZ, fbi radio, Radio Adelaide and 2XX FM. In the blogosphere, tracks have also been supported by the likes of Rolling Stone (IND), Kerrang! (UK), Rock Sound (UK), The Music, Forte Magazine, The AU Review, Backseat Mafia (UK/AUS), AAA Backstage and Music Feeds.
‘Wise and Dangerous’ IS OUT NOW – LISTEN / STREAM HERE
MANNEQUIN DEATH SQUAD
‘WISE AND DANGEROUS’ AUS TOUR
FRI 18 APR | CROWN & ANCHOR, TARNDANYA/ADELAIDE SA
SAT 19 APR | BLACK BEAR LODGE, MEANJIN/BRISBANE QLD
SAT 26 APR | TROCADERO, EORA/SYDNEY NSW
SUN 27 APR | LA LA LA’S, DHARAWAL/WOLLONGONG NSW
SAT 3 MAY | ALTAR, LUTRUWITA/HOBART TAS
SAT 10 MAY | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, NAARM/MELBOURNE VIC
With thanks to Good Intent
