I actually just wanted to write a short review of the new Whatever… album „Into Darker Days“. But thanks to social media and a brief yet very pleasant exchange with guitarist Ben Wrecked, I ended up diving a bit deeper into the bands history.

First, I had to realize that this band had already existed back in the early 1990s. Completely unknown to me, but their sound hits exactly the kind of punk rock I really enjoy: fast, catchy, and with the occasional guitar solo that pushes the driving beat even further. And while the opener “Our Decline” from the new album „Into Darker Days“ blasts from the speakers with a nice old-school vibe, the next track “Watch Them Fall” immediately catches my attention — it’s a clear and direct shot at the current Trump administration in the U.S. Time to ask Wrecked about it:

“The lyrics were written as a direct observation and critique of Trump and his followers. I watched in disbelief as friends, family, and ultimately our country became victims of this clown and criminal fraud. Trump manipulates people’s deepest fears to gain political power. I’ve never seen us as a ‘political’ band, but I felt it was crucial to make it clear that we are 100% anti-fascist and anti-Trump.”

Photo: Ken Blaze

A Shattered Trust in Our Government
As someone watching events in the U.S. from a distance and often with disbelief, this was a refreshingly clear statement. But it also comes from a personal place, as Wrecked continues:

“We’re deeply disappointed that so many of our friends, neighbors, and family members could be deceived. There’s a general sense of despair in the U.S. right now, as we watch the news every day to see what new chaos Trump has caused. His return to power has shaken many people’s faith in our courts and government, as he’s never held accountable for anything he does. Also, everyone in the band comes from the working class. Our retirement accounts, tied directly to the stock market, suffered huge losses due to Trump’s pointless trade wars.”

It’s a sentiment that could easily apply to Germany as well — you get the sense that only a small fraction of AfD voters truly understands what would happen if the party actually came to power. But back to the album: Whatever… manage to keep the energy and tension high throughout its runtime. Ben Wrecked (guitar), Peter Woodward (bass), Matt Fish (drums), and Brett Moore (guitar) sound so much like the early ‘90s that you can’t help but feel nostalgic for a time when many things seemed much simpler.

This Isn’t a Reunion. It’s a Reckoning!
Naturally, one wonders why a band that formed in 1991 and broke up after four albums in 2000 decided to reunite a quarter-century later to release a new record.

“We’ve lived through 30 years of life, death, success, and failure. We built careers, started families, and realized how much we missed making music together. Our old songs are just as relevant now as they were in 1997, and we still have a lot to say. There are just more reasons to be angry now than in the 1990s. And we are pissed!” Wrecked explains the reasons for the reunion.

Photo: Ken Blaze

This sense of anger runs through the entire album — and it suits it well. Tracks like “No One’s Home” or the driving “Among The Dead” make you wish you were in a small, sweaty club surrounded by a few hundred like-minded people. „Into Darker Days“ is made for the world’s stages. And Whatever… stay true to themselves — just listen to the surprisingly well-aged “Youngsters” (1997) for comparison. Sure, they won’t win any awards for innovation — but we’re talking about punk rock here. Who’s looking for innovation?

When asked whether it has become more difficult for punk bands in the current political climate, it’s important to take a closer look at the situation of musicians in the U.S.

“So far, we haven’t experienced any direct impacts as a band, apart from the rising cost of living, which makes everything more expensive. We haven’t faced any backlash for our views or lyrics. If someone wants to confront or debate us — go ahead. But we won’t be intimidated, and we won’t back down. As I said, the MAGA era has made us more politically aware and strengthened our resolve to take a stand against fascism and Christian nationalism.”

In the end, „Into Darker Days“ is a really solid punk rock album. The songs are a blast, and the musicians clearly have something to say. And since we’re also facing big changes in Germany, the voices that sing out against the noise of conservative and right-wing forces deserve to be heard — especially since they’re increasingly drowned out in the chaos of daily life, both in the U.S. and here.

Which raises the question: why do we hear so few counter-voices in politics and the cultural sphere?

“I wish I knew the answer to that — I’m confused. The Trump era has shown how intoxicating power can be. People will tolerate almost anything if it means gaining or keeping power. The Democratic Party in the U.S. has no leader and no idea how to take on the MAGA movement. The Republican Party will support Trump as long as it keeps them in power. These idiots are now at the top. In order for the U.S. to get rid of Trump, a lot of people would have to admit they were wrong. Sadly, I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.”

Sadly, I fear the same. But as long as there are bands like Whatever…, Propagandhi, or Dead Pioneers, there’s still hope. And who knows — maybe we will see Trump and his crew fall after all.

Band: Whatever…
Album: Into Darker Days
VÖ: 30.05.2025
Label: Dr. Strange Records