Local band to release first EP, sound unpolished

You may have seen the stickers — they’re plastered on the 10th Street sidewalk, the railing outside Soma and Indiana Daily Student news stands around town.

A frowning face beneath a crown and the title “Wringer.”

Wringer is a local punk band, and the face is the band’s logo. The day band members started handing out stickers, Anthony McMammoth said they were surprised to see them pop up immediately across town.

“It’s crude and simple but memorable, like the music we play” singer and guitarist McMammoth said.

The group is completed by drummer Jake Swiss and bassist and singer Jared Wilson.
Formed earlier this year, Wringer is about to release its first EP, “Cool Story.” The cover depicts Jesus surfing on a giant lobster, which “is a pretty cool story,” Swiss said.

The EP, which has five tracks, will be sold at the band’s release party at 9 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Bishop. Admission is $3. Bands High Dive and Comfort will also perform.
McMammoth said they asked the other two bands to play for a reason.

“We tried to make this show a catchy punk show,” he explained.

Swiss described High Dive as a pop-punk band in the style of local label Plan-It-X Records, while Comfort is “a little bit grimy.”

As for Wringer’s own music, Swiss said memorable hooks and driving rhythms lend to an energy often found in punk bands but with the sing-along quality of pop.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel when it comes to pop-punk, but we don’t want it to sound too polished,” McMammoth said.

He said they try to avoid telling people they’re specifically pop-punk.
While their music is catchy punk, it is not the “boy-girl music” that most pop is made up of, McMammoth said.

“Our band has a kind of over-arching theme, as far as lyricism goes,” Swiss said. “It’s a kind of hopeful cynicism.”

The crown of their logo could be interpreted as being unhappy while still being in a good place, he said.

Mike Notaro of band Ponyboy and studio The Sound Workshop, where Wringer recorded, said he is a fan of the music.

“It’s similar to what got me into my own music in the first place,” Notaro said.
Wringer has been touring regionally to promote the EP, and the band plans to expand, Swiss said.

In the spring, Wringer members said they intend to have a full-length album out.
One of the EP’s tracks, “Popewad,” can be heard for free at
wringer.bandcamp.com.