Milquetoast

When Milquetoast (milk-ˌtōst) is used as an adjective, it means timid, meek, or unassertive. But you only need a single distorted power chord or unhinged howl from the Indiana trio's punked-up party sludge to get sucker-punched by the band name’s irony. Milquetoast will kick 2022's front door off its hinges with their debut LP mastered by Chris Fielding of the mighty Conan, appropriately named Caterwaul.

Formed in 2018 by vocalist/guitarist Ty Winslow, Milquetoast was devised as an expression of weirdo punk fury. In fact, it was Winslow's penchant for loud riffs and cheeky vibes that initially lured vocalist/bassist Andy Bowerman as a collaborator.

"In a church 2.5 hours in the middle of nowhere," Bowerman recalls, "I was looking out into the melee [of a mosh pit] and seeing crossdressing members of [Winslow's then-band] Battersea riding each other around like jousting mounts. So the friendship came easy—and came often."

After recruiting drumming dynamo Nick James, the band's unique impish energy took shape. Gather the mops that soaked up sweat and blood from stages in the '80s west coast punk and Seattle grunge scenes. Squeeze the fluids into a shot glass with Mike Judge's satire distilled into whiskey. Add in the doom and heavy metal pedigrees of the band's dual-screamers, and you get Caterwaul.

Winslow describes Milquetoast as "raucous heavy rock with the simplicity and irreverence of punk." Think genre-burning bands like Melvins and Mudhoney, along with the sneering punk of Black Flag, Child Bite, and Dead Kennedys. Bowerman adds their own colorful summary: "Minutemen and Fu Manchu wearing Celtic Frost t-shirts.”

Mostly written during the pandemic and the last turbulent presidency, Caterwaul's lyrical focus is a snapshot of political incompetence and social decay. Despite grim subjects ripped from the headlines, Milquetoast laugh through the absurdity. The cover art by Ellie Shvaiko captures that dichotomy of grimy heaviness and pastel-pink levity. The recording was tracked by band ally Tucker Thomasson of Throne of Iron in one insane day to achieve fast 'n' loose performances true to the band's manic stage energy. Because at the end of the day, Milquetoast is first and foremost about the live spectacle.

"Our approach to live shows is all about having fun," Winslow confirms. "Fans can expect over-the-top outfits, some light-hearted razzing of the other bands, and loud rock 'n' roll."

Once Covid stops being such a menace, Milquetoast may troll a town near you. Until then, Wise Blood Records will release Caterwaul on January 7th, 2022. Get weird. Get wild. Get ready for Milquetoast.