Genre defying sisters ALT BLK ERA have unveiled a new version of their huge single ‘My Drummer’s Girlfriend’, featuring Wheatus. The US alt-rock legends, who discovered ALT BLK ERA at Download Festival earlier this year, became instant fans of their unique sound and energy. One thing led to another, and the result is this exciting new take on the song.
ALT BLK ERA vocalist Nyrobi commented: “Before ‘My Drummer’s Girlfriend’ came out we would describe it as having Teenage Dirtbag energy. Then, Wheatus followed us after we both performed at Download Festival. It felt like we were being pushed into a position where we had to find the courage to ask one of the most iconic indie rock bands to collaborate with us, on our track. I mean the audacity right? Fortunately they loved it and being fortunate enough to collaborate with them feels OUT OF THIS WORLD!”
“I was a first just a fan of ALT BLK ERA” commented vocalist / guitarist Brendan B. Brown. “There’s always two sides to a story; we wanted to make the lyrics from the drummer’s girlfriend’s perspective.” Not wanting to do the original a disservice, he continued: “I started focusing on it really hard, trying loads of different guitar lines.‘My Drummer’s Girlfriend’ is a heavy banger. I didn’t want to mess it (the original) up!”
Collaborating with Wheatus is a huge achievement for such a new act, and something they don’t take for granted. Nyrobi continues: “We haven’t had much experience working with other artists, especially not ones as legendary as Wheatus. ‘My Drummer’s Girlfriend’ hadn’t even come out yet so we were really nervous about sharing the track with them. We wanted to just hide somwhere, once we’d sent it through.”
ALT BLK ERA vocalist Chaya added: “Over the past two years as young artists, making music that doesn’t fit into people’s boxes, we’ve faced so many naysayers. So to have Wheatus supporting our music in such a public way is just absolutely amazing and we’ve learnt so much from them.”
ALT BLK ERA‘s debut album Rave Immortal is scheduled for a 24th January release via Earache Records. Pre-order here: earache.com/altblkera
Catch ALT BLK ERA live:
Jan 24: Bristol, Rough Trade
Jan 25: Nottingham, Saltbox
Jan 27: Liverpool, Rough Trade
Jan 28: Oxford, Truck
Jan 29: Brighton, Resident
Jan 30: Kingston, Pryzm
Within just a year ALT BLK ERA have established themselves as one of the most unique and exciting new alternative acts today, winning over audiences at major festivals including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, and opening for artists such as Tom Morello, Lord Of The Lost and many more. Their highly acclaimed debut EP Freak Show accelerated their meteoric rise, earning them nominations in both the 2024 MOBO and Heavy Music Awards. The album announcement comes after their triumphant set at Download Festival, where Metal Hammer magazine described them as one the bands that defined this year’s event.
As two alternative people who understand living life outside of the edge of social norms, ALT BLK ERA have created a wonderful safe space and a community for alts and their allies. This ethos has earned them a loyal and diverse following, who see no barriers and boundaries musically and socially.
This safe space has allowed the girls to open up even more on Rave Immortal, which among its themes around diversity and inclusion, centres around Nyrobi coming to terms with a disabling illness, and the support she received from Chaya. From pain and struggle to newfound strength and unconditional love, this is a story that will resonate with anyone who has faced barriers, and is an inspiration overcome them and to be yourself no matter what.
On Rave Immortal, Nyrobi comments: “You might not notice on a first listen that this album is about my hidden disability that is a result of chronic illness that took hold during my teens and left me bed-ridden for years. I take the listener through the shadows and share the pain of abandonment I felt, and the solace that I found in my younger sister’s unwavering support.
“This part of the album is so painful for me and at the same time it feels beautiful because it shows my sister by my side, every step of the way; through each emotion and every story. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to share this part of me without Chaya and the track ‘Come On Outside’ is a beautiful reflection of her.
“But we don’t stop there! The album then captures the defiant energy that grew within us, as I became more able. The songs show us crashing through the imposed barriers and boldly claiming spaces that we were once excluded from. As the songs transition into a dreamscape, they delve into the exploration of relationships; the clash of personalities when fitting into a new friendship group and the dangerous mind of an infatuated person who is scarred by illness and years of isolation.
The rebellion then builds as we begin to host wild celebrations, fiercely defending our joy after so many years of imposed restriction. The final tracks turn the tide, transforming our pursuit of freedom into an exhilarating hunt, where those who once stifled our spirit are drawn into our eternal dance of liberation, freeing them from all worldly constraints.”
Chaya continues: “This album starts as a deeply personal story of the physical and emotional pain that my sister went through when she first became ill. I was about twelve at that time. It was during the pandemic so it was a time of worry and isolation for me also but as Nyrobi slowly became more able to communicate, we spent every minute that she was awake together. I would sit in her room and contribute to her creations whilst she wrote song after song after song. From my more introverted perspective, the calmer songs reflect my nature, so ‘Straight To Heart’, ‘Come On Outside’ and ‘Run Rabbit’. However, I’ll ride-or-die for my big sis, so when it’s time to be defiant or to be rebellious, or when it’s time to scream, I’m right there too. This is what the album is about for me – our bond, that also respects who we are as individuals.”
