The House Flies – Derelict Crawl (2026)
Hailing from Moline, Illinois, US-based The House Flies saunter across the realms of post-punk, alternative rock and gothic rock, capturing a bit of each and binding it into an atmospheric bouquet of The Cure, Joy Division, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, but still retain a distinctive The House Flies air. We came across The House Flies last year with their single, ‘Sweet Foxhound’, and today they waltz across our virtual desk once again. Join us as we turn up the speakers, hit play, and take a listen to their latest single, ‘Derelict Crawl’.
The first track off their upcoming album, Lions And Ore, The House Flies describe ‘Derelict Crawl’ as one of their most direct songs to date. From the outset, the group drags us back to the post-punk scene of the 1980s, but with the crash of 90s alternative rock entwined in the melody. Ozzie Woods’ bass steps along steadily in the background, joined by the gentle beats of Nick Pompou’s drums; a dark but simple arrangement to enter the track. Then, ‘Derelict Crawl’ moves much further than a basic crawl into a leaping crash of the bass, drums, Burnie Eckhardt’s soaring guitar, and Alex Riggen’s powerful vocals.
Listening to ‘Derelict Crawl’ is a melodic and emotional rollercoaster. The chorus is a whirlwind of frantic music – the breath-taking, gut-wrenching, heart leaping into your throat sensation. The verses are soothing within its gothic soundscape – the slow turn and steady rise of the rollercoaster, like a calm before the storm. All dark, all dreary, and all a rush of melancholy vulnerability.
With ‘Sweet Foxhound’, I found The House Flies wanting. ‘Sweet Foxhound’ was good, but not memorable and searching for that something-something. How does ‘Derelict Crawl’ fare? A rather good few minutes of gothic rock, but still searching for the something-something. With the promise of an upcoming album, I am eager to hear more and find that memorable burst that I know The House Flies are capable of.
In addition to the single, The House Flies released an official music video for ‘Derelict Crawl’. You can view the video below and/or on YouTube. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about The House Flies on their Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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