Vanderocker bridge gap between punk and indie-rock with experimental concept EP 'The Good Punk'

Bridging the gap between punk and indie, psychedelic new wave stand-outs Vanderocker return with new EP ‘The Good Punk’, set to be released on November 13th, exploring sex, voyeurism and duality, all while affirming Vanderocker as one of America’s most exciting upcoming alternative groups.

Vanderocker is the brainchild of LA based performance artist Adrienne Vanderocker who hails from a Dutch/American family of classical musicians. Proving herself as a true all rounder by working as a writer, guitarist, bassist and synth player across the new EP, she’s called upon her performance experience to convert the first track ‘Cult For You’ into a 1920s-esque short film that is due to start filming in November if social distancing allows.

Vanderocker creates a complete audio-visual experience through her unique soundtrack that fuses together popular genres. She has also collaborated with producer Brandon Eggleston and several guest artists such as Federico Pol Jr (Joe Cocker), Peter Holmström (The Dandy Warhols, PIA), and Brendan Bond (Black Pumas) on the record. Speaking of her intended impact of the EP, Adrienne explained:

“In my mind, it’s a basic study of humans on different levels, almost from an Alien National Geographic kind of perspective. ‘Here is Earth, a most beautiful place and here are the alluring creatures who call themselves human beings. Let’s observe them when they are just in their bodies. Now look how they change when they interact with other groups’ – like a typical lab observation, right? Which is interesting in itself; but then of course, we have to look at how amazingly powerful humans can be when they disengage from the drama and plug into something bigger than themselves. I find comfort in all of it, when I can step back and observe us the way a newcomer might.”
Adrienne Vanderocker

The EP opens with the upbeat ‘Cult For You’, which blends a classic indie backing track with punk vocals into a unique, catchy sound that sets the tone for the EP. Exploring intimate connections to others and the universe as a whole, Vanderocker expresses pride in sexuality, liberation and encourages others to do the same.

“Earthly pleasure. Birthright. A pure journey of the flesh. The most basic, primal experiential potential of having a human body. You can get off and go about your day unaffected, or you can reach other dimensions, use sex as medicine and heal yourself and/or your other, or connect to pure God essence, just by knowing how to use your body as a vessel. Sex is a portal. I like the duality there is in sex and the sensual worlds alone- the drama, the meaning, the purpose all begins in our heads and then trickles through our bodies to be expressed and manifested.”
Vanderocker on cult for you

This then flows into the atmospheric ‘Endless City’ which champions distorted guitar riffs and shows off Vanderocker’s true scope of talent. With lyrics rooted in the mystery of society from an outside perspective, this track will have you deep in thought, conjuring the feeling of walking through a city late at night, all surrounded by a haunting soundtrack of dreamlike vocals.

“Now we take the human experience out of the singular and look at it from about 50 yards away, for instance, watching small groups interact in our favourite petri dish – a city at night. This environment is a prime setting for getting the extreme highs and polar opposite lows out of people, often within the same experience. We follow our subject, seemingly feminine, through the streets where she bears witness to all of it. People’s faces become lock boxes for sins, secrets, or resilience, or heroism, and they also become the most open, revealing, expressions of themselves on the flip of a dime. There is also the idea that a city at night is also where you have the easiest access to mind altering substances, either through drugs, or euphoric divination – and seeing how the two paths can have their similarities is interesting to me. The two paths can look the same but feel and affect one in polar opposite ways. Of course, all these experiences lead to the same goal- wanting to feel loved, and oh the trouble humans go through to achieve this feeling. From an outside perspective, it would make you deeply curious what the fuss is about.”
Vanderocker on Endless city

‘Taking Notes’ introduces atmospheric backing vocals, adding another layer to Vanderocker’s unique sound and flawlessly portraying the 70s vibe that she was going for.

“This is the most avant-garde piece on the EP. Establishing a deep funky groove as a setting for a narrative on the human experience and how we have to go through all this strange and often painful play to be able to tap into the higher experience and of course, our true potential. I was setting up a kind of 70’s vibe as the foundation and Pete ended up putting some really cool guitar work, creating this brilliant soundscape over the piece. In case anyone wanted to enjoy this piece without the narrative, we included a bonus instrumental on the EP.”
Vanderocker on taking notes

‘Supercell’ puts a laid-back twist on classic punk-rock, proving that the EP contains something for everyone regardless of their musical interests. Playing on issues of power, togetherness and tackling important themes such as racism, this track channels the energy of a Supercell, bringing the concept EP to a powerful close.

This track takes a look at how powerful humans are when they come together for a cause. Of course, it particularly speaks to all the unrest and upset around the massive corruption and ongoing systemic racism. When I was writing Supercell I was just thinking about that superpower gene that kicks in when change happens. I wrote it thinking about it in that context and then learned what a Supercell actually is- a Supercell is the mother of all storms. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
vanderocker on supercell

The EP draws to a close with a bonus acoustic allowing the listener to really appreciate the musical soundscape Vanderocker have created. You can listen for yourself from November 13th but until then, make sure to follow them on social media and check out their previous tracks to see more of what this rising punk-rocker has to offer.