Des Moines dance-punk duo ASTRO BRAT have released their new single "Alarm," arriving just months after their debut EP, Burn It Or Bury It. Made up of vocalist and drummer Ryan McGrew and bassist Ambrose Lupercal, the band continue to carve out their own strange corner of punk with a sound built for sweaty rooms, restless bodies, and anyone who prefers their rock music with a little neon around the edges.
"Alarm" was created with movement in mind. Rather than leaning into the rougher side of ASTRO BRAT's sound, the duo focused on writing something listeners could immediately dance to. That idea was partly inspired by venue closures in Iowa, with the band determined to make every remaining live show feel worth leaving the house for.
The result is a sharp, staccato rush that wastes little time getting down to business. McGrew and Lupercal keep the arrangement tight and direct, favoring rhythm and momentum over unnecessary decoration. It's punk with its eyes fixed on the dance floor, maintaining plenty of bite without getting buried underneath its own distortion.
The accompanying music video adds another piece to ASTRO BRAT's colorful world. The duo share a love for horror, science fiction, and pop culture, influences that regularly find their way into the band's presentation and help give their frantic music a personality beyond the stage.
That sense of identity has developed quickly. McGrew brings years of experience within the Des Moines music scene, while Lupercal previously played with rock outfit Holy White Hounds. Together, they released Burn It Or Bury It earlier this year after working with Brandon Darner and Micah Natera, whose credits include Imagine Dragons and Slot Machine.
Despite only recently introducing their first EP, ASTRO BRAT clearly have little interest in sitting still. "Alarm" feels like another step toward defining exactly what this duo does best: short, energetic songs with enough punk grit for the back room of a club and enough rhythmic pull to turn that same room into a dance floor.
With "Alarm," ASTRO BRAT make a simple case for themselves. Turn it up, move around, and leave the extra baggage outside.
