Johnny and the gang are back, and they are not taking the foot off the accelerator. Nope. No way Jose. Underwire‘s new single Greener is yet another example of why I am a huge fan of these Wellington Punk rocker/psychobillies.

Released onto Spotify and all other platforms on 20th September, Greener is a track that’s written to hold an X-Ray up to the BS of emissions trading schemes in place of actual environmental and climate change action; and the greenwashing we’re seeing from the corporate world to such an extent that the term “greenwashing” has actually become part of everyone’s lexicon.

To the song! Underwire is an outrageously experienced outfit on the live and studio scenes. These guys know how to perform, how to write songs, and how to record them. When I say Punk rock, I’m not talking about the Emo-invoking likes of Green Day (although I do love Green Day, I have to say) or the chaotic abandon of the likes of the Sex Pistols. Underwire sits for me in the 21st century version of the 1978-79 post-punk New Wave sound. Think Buzzcocks. Think The Motors. Think Eddie & The Hotrods.

With Greener we have a rattlesnake vocal melody careening along with some intense guitar layers, wonderfully laden with pedal and volume. Some tactical BVs bring the vocal out further, and add to the catchy yet not commercially so melody. This is indie and protesting music. No saccharine to be found here. The beat is hard out and fast, accompanied by some thudding bass that drives the tempo nicely nastily – if you get what I mean. You get what I mean.

Underwire has put vids out before, but not this time. That’s okay, because this song is already on Spotify, as mentioned, and thanks to the genius of their long-time studio collaborator, producer Scott Seabright and his intuitive way of getting music, if you’re into the sounds of the suburbs – as the genre was called when it was bubbling over for the first time – you cannot fail to love this track. A snarling vocal, mean music, high tempo, a message.

“Greener on the other side, greener on the other side… it’s a lie! It’s a lie!” Earworm time! Underwire continues to deliver the whole package for Punk fans. Get into it. F*** yes.