Bad Astronaut Unveils New Album

Bad Astronaut Unveils New Album Untethered and Box Set, Offering an Intimate Look at Punk Classics Reimagined

After nearly two decades of shaping the fringes of punk and alternative rock, Bad Astronaut is back with Untethered, a bold reimagining of their catalog that strips down fan-favorite tracks to their core.

Embracing the minimalism of cello, piano, and voice, the band delivers a raw and evocative interpretation of their music, unveiling layers of emotion and songwriting craft often obscured by the full-band arrangements. Released today, Untethered aims to bring fans closer to the heart of each song, sparking new appreciation for Bad Astronaut’s already beloved catalog.

For Joey Cape, the band’s frontman and a driving force behind Untethered, this album was a deeply personal endeavor. “This record was a real ‘passion project’ for me,” Cape explains. “Angus Cooke and Todd Capps—who play cello and piano—had been performing punk covers as an instrumental duo, and after hearing their takes on those songs, I suggested we revisit the Bad Astronaut catalog in a stripped-down format. The album title, Untethered, felt fitting, like an elevated synonym for ‘unplugged.’ We wanted to expose the essence of each track, which, for us, is often what makes a song resonate.” The result is a collection of pared-down versions that prioritize intimacy and lyricism, allowing listeners to rediscover the emotional undertones of each song.

The album’s first single, “Grey Suits,” exemplifies this stripped-back approach and is now streaming on all digital platforms, giving listeners a taste of the raw sincerity that Untethered aims to evoke.

Bad Astronaut, founded by Cape (Lagwagon), Marko DeSantis (Sugarcult), and the late Derrick Plourde, was born out of deep friendships and creative curiosity. Their sound—distinct from the punk roots of Cape and DeSantis—allowed the trio to experiment, fusing influences from indie and alternative music into a unique sonic landscape. Since its inception, Bad Astronaut has held a mystique as a space where the members could explore and push their creative boundaries without constraints. The band’s distinctive style and intricate production stand as a testament to their collective love for complex, genre-bending music.

In addition to Untethered, the band recently released a limited-edition vinyl box set, fulfilling a long-standing dream for Cape and fans alike. The set features remastered versions of their albums Houston: We Have A Drinking Problem (2002), Twelve Small Steps, One Giant Disappointment (2006), and Acrophobe (2001), along with Inner-Space, a 7-inch release that includes an alternate version of “Violet” and “Wide Awake”—the band’s first new material in 15 years. Reflecting on this release, Cape says, “It’s a missing link in my life. When I have that box set in my vinyl collection, I’ll feel like, ‘Okay, I can finally move on.’”

The box set serves as both a nostalgic homage and a cathartic moment, particularly as Cape and DeSantis grapple with the bittersweet task of revisiting the music they created alongside Plourde, who passed away in 2005. “It’s lovely to hear how Derrick would finish my musical sentences,” Cape recalls, noting how Plourde’s presence still resonates in the band’s work.

For Cape and DeSantis, Bad Astronaut has always been more than a side project—it’s a unique expression of their collective musical vision, untouched by the pressures of their primary bands. “We were always talking about indie music or rediscovering classic music,” DeSantis says, noting the band’s shared influences, which include Built To Spill, Radiohead, and Elliott Smith. In 2001, the band paid homage to Smith with a cover of his song “Needle In The Hay” on Acrophobe, cementing their affinity for introspective, genre-defying music.

With the release of Untethered and the box set, Bad Astronaut’s legacy feels satisfyingly complete, though Cape hints at the possibility of more to come. “I’ve got many hard drives that say ‘BAD ASTRONAUT’ on them,” he teases. Whether these recordings are ever released, the band’s impact endures—a testament to friendship, creative freedom, and a love for music that transcends boundaries.