Def Nettle are back, and they are bringing the noise. The Irish punk-funk outfit just dropped “Trauma Removal Machine“, and it’s a sweaty, high-voltage collision of new wave and post-punk that refuses to sit still.
Frontman and producer Glen Brady steps up with his trademark raspy baritone, delivering sardonic lyrics with serious swagger. He’s also handling guitar duties here, ripping out funky leads and building massive crescendos. But he’s not doing it alone. Rapper and vocalist Lisa Doyle slides in with a sly, questioning counterpoint. Her rhythmic delivery cuts right through the mix and adds a whole new dimension to the track. Underneath it all, Damien Fox‘s thumping drums and Ely Siegel‘s driving disco-rock bass lines create an unbreakable foundation. The whole thing is powered by pulsating analogue synthesisers that give it that gritty, vintage edge. The band also features Doc and a mysterious masked character called The Mark on guitar, bringing the full six-piece attack to life.
So, what’s the story? The track dives deep into the therapeutic power of music. It’s about finding relief through the creative process, working through difficult experiences, and discovering a sense of release, renewal, and hope. Brady probes the elemental and spiritual value of inspiration, throwing in contemporary and new-age cultural references without ever sounding like a lecture. It’s a heavy concept, but the band delivers it with so much groove and attitude that it feels like a party. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to process your demons is to get on the dancefloor and let the basslines do the heavy lifting.
For a guy who started this as a solo project, Brady has some serious pedigree. A Dubliner who’s lived in New York, Berlin, and San Francisco, he has session credits with R.E.M., five years as an engineer with the California State Symphony, and toured with DARK alongside Andy Rourke of The Smiths and the late Dolores O’Riordan. That wealth of experience bleeds into every note. Following a busy year that saw them support Fun Lovin’ Criminals and The Aquabats, Def Nettle are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. “Trauma Removal Machine” hits all major platforms on November 6th. Do yourself a favour, turn it up, let the synths wash over you, and let the music do its healing work.