Wrangler Brutes

History

Wrangler Brutes were formed around vocalist Sam McPheeters (ex-Born Against, Men's Recovery Project), drummer Brooks Headley (ex-Born Against, Universal Order of Armageddon, [Young] Pioneers), guitarist Andy Coronado (of Skull Kontrol, Monorchid, Nazti Skinz, Glass Candy) and bassist Cundo Bermudez (of Nazti Skinz). The band sold over 1,000 copies of their self-released, self-titled cassette in 9 months; this release was followed by a 7" record and a full-length LP, Zulu, recorded in May 2004 with Steve Albini. The album featured Chris Thomson (of Monorchid and Circus Lupus fame), as well as Circle Jerks' Keith Morris on vocals. The band recorded their October 8, 2004 show at Monkey Mania in Denver, CO with Permanent Record Studios. The concept was to release a "bootlegged" live version of their Zulu album, but due to the band's split the live CD was never released. In December 2004, at the end of a lengthy Japanese tour, McPheeters bowed out and was replaced for the band's last US show by Dean Spunt of the bands Wives and No Age.

The band was known for somewhat confrontational, hectic live performances which were heralded by their biggest fans as a return to the artsy yet entertaining briskness of early Los Angeles hardcore punk. McPheeters' sense of humor dominated their presence as a live act; his patter, alternately caustic and cryptic, was a major aspect of these shows. On their first tour, their set ended with noted history buff McPheeters donning a wig and reciting a dramatic monologue taken from the closing scene of act 1 of Shakespeare's Henry V.

McPheeters also penned an over-the-top dismissal of Zulu for the OC Weekly under the name "Walter Burgerns," an anagram of the bandname.

Band members

Discography