Bad Astronaut

***Formed out of deep friendships, Bad Astronaut has always had an air of mystery. Created by Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Marko DeSantis (Sugarcult), and the late Derrick Plourde, the band carved a unique space outside of their main musical endeavors. Their music, characterized by more experimental sounds and intricate production, stood in contrast to the punk backgrounds they came from. Bad Astronaut has always been more than a side project—it's a reflection of the members’ collective musical vision, free from the constraints of their primary bands. Bad Astronaut's new album, Untethered, offers a fresh perspective on the band's classics. These reworked versions strip the songs down to their core, relying only on cello, piano, and vocals to highlight the raw emotion and songwriting behind each track. The band aims to showcase the essence of the music by removing most of the original instrumentation, allowing fans to connect with the heart of each song in a more intimate setting. While Untethered feel like a natural conclusion to Bad Astronaut's story, there's always the possibility of more music. Whether or not the future does hold more from Bad Astronaut, the band remains a testament to enduring friendship, creative freedom, and a love for music that defies genres.