Epic punk collective Fake Names share new video for single ‘If You Could See Me Today’ ahead of their upcoming album ‘Punk Ruins’, out October 23rd. The track finds jangle pop emerging from the band’s D.C. post-hardcore roots, crackling guitars meet gritty bassline, and effortlessly magnetic vocals, as the band reflects on remnants of a distant past.
Fake Names consists of punk mainstays Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, INVSN), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace, The Faith), Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside), and new drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket From The Crypt, Off!). ‘Punk Ruins’ was produced by Matthew Bernhardt (Superchunk, Bob Mould) at Chicago’s iconic Electrical Audio studios.
Despite each member’s celebrated status, their collaboration feels unforced. “There are no guardrails or perceived direction here and this just comes out,” shares Baker, emphasizing, “this album is a collective expression, and a lot of the fun is seeing how the hell it is going to turn out.” The band’s musicianship elevated Baker and Hampton’s initial ideas, while giving Lyxzen room to explore vocal styles. “I think that a lot of these songs give me an opportunity to sing in a way that nowadays I usually don’t,” he explains, “It’s always cool to be able to experiment with your voice, melodic sensibility and language.” That creative freedom shines on tracks like the groove driven ‘Diamond Buzz’ and the title track’s undeniable D.C. hardcore sound, elevated by Lyxzén’s belting vocals and razor-sharp hooks.
Fake Names is a “mutual admiration society,” according to Baker, melding 70’s UK punk with classic hardcore energy and dynamic guitar-driven power-pop. The band released their classic rock-leaning self-titled debut in 2020, followed by 2023’s ‘Expendables’, produced by Adam “Atom” Greenspan (IDLES, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), who helmed a sonically cleaner, richer sound for the group.
Fake Names will be heading out on tour in early 2027, with stops across Europe and the UK starting January 26th – check out the dates below.
Upcoming 2027 tour dates:
January 26th – Stage Umeå – Umeå, Sweden
January 28th – Glazart – Paris, France
January 29th – Club Volta – Cologne, Germany
January 30th – Backstage – Munich, Germany
February 1st – Legend Club – Milano, Italy
February 2nd – Kino Siska – Ljubljana, Slovenia
February 3rd – Arena – Vienna, Austria
February 5th – Knust – Hamburg, Germany
February 6th – Lido – Berlin, Germany
February 7th – Underworld – London, UK