Bad Copy

St. Louis-based punk band Fight Back Mountain has released a brand new single entitled “Trouble & Havoc.” The song is a two-minute ripper which finds the four piece pairing classic rock and power pop sensibilities with the guttural delivery of vocalist/guitarist Adrian Barnello. The result is a crashing urgency that encapsulates a stormy relationship between a couple who always find new ways to bring conflict into each other’s lives.

“Trouble & Havoc” is something of a rarity in the growing Fight Back Mountain catalog thanks to its lyrics being written by Barnello. In the vast majority of FBM output, guitarist Anjelica Aquilino serves as the chief wordsmith but, in this case, she may be more muse than creator. She reflects:

“I can’t help but feel like the first two lines are directed at me, whether intentional or not! (You’re such a heavy-hearted baby, you’re always fearing the worst).”

Barnello maintains that it’s not the couple’s relationship that’s in the narrative sights, but the quarreling relationship between their two warring cats; Trouble and Havoc. This single is the first hint of the band’s latest sessions with longtime producer Gabe Usery at Encapsulated Studios. Usery previously helmed the band’s releases Times Beach (2019), Lavender Sky (2021), and the Backslider EP (2023). As always, the Fight Back Mountain lineup is completed with founding members, bassist Andy Kohnen and drummer Devin Dessieux.

For the “Trouble & Havoc” video the band headed to Mauhaus Cat Cafe in Maplewood, MS to hang with the rescue kitties (who are all available for adoption). Check out the video below and keep checking  back for more from Fight Back Mountain!