The Whimbrels released their eponymous debut album on June 27, 2025 via Dromedary Records. The band has in its membership luminaries of the experimental, avant-garde, post-punk and No Wave scene of New York City with credits including playing with The Glenn Branca Ensemble, The Swans and J. Mascis. Between racks of guitars in alternate tunings and unconventional arrangements the band’s new record is somehow both accessible and challenging, filled with gorgeous, left field melodies, discordant atmospheres and dissonant soundscapes. It’s like noise rock abstract jazz with real attention to songcraft. Arad Evans is the primary songwriter as well as vocalist and one of the group’s guitarists and he’s been in more than a few of the great improvisational and experimental guitar bands in NYC since 1980. Norman Westberg many may know as one of the main guitar wizards in Swans for over 35 years but his fascinating ambient solo albums are worth visiting. Guitarist Luke Schwartz is a composer who also played with Glenn Branca but also with ambient legend John Hassell. Matt Hunter on bass and vocals is a co-founder of New Radiant Storm King but has performed with J. Mascis & the Fog, King Missile, Silver Jews and SAVAK. Steve DiBenedetto is mostly known as a painter but his work as a solo musician and with Airport Seven among other projects are highlights of American experimental music. Drummer Libby Fab is a member of Paranoid Critical Revolution and was the technical director of Glenn Branca’s Symphony 13: Hallucination City. Produced by Jim Santo, the record will resonate deeply with fans of its members various musical endeavors but also the textural tonalities of Mission of Burma, the enigmatic soundscapes of Nicholas Jaar and the exotic tonal exercises of Savage Republic. The album is now available as 12” LP, digital download and on streaming platforms.
Listen to our interview with Arad Evans and Norman Westberg on Bandcamp and follow The Whimbrels at the links below.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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