Cleveland’s Whatever… have rejoined Dr. Strange Records and are preparing for the release of a J. Robbins-produced full-length, Into Darker Days, on May 30. All vinyl preorders through the band’s Bandcamp site will receive limited edition colored vinyl!
The band share their video for “What To Fear” today.
“This song is a reckoning and a reflection,” Wrecked says. “It’s about the moment you realize that no one is coming to save you, and that the systems, leaders, and ideals we trusted have turned against us. The fears and divisions we inherited have quietly shaped who we are, and survival means tearing down the illusions we were taught to worship.”
Originally active from 1991-1997, Cleveland’s Whatever… released its first new music in 27 years in 2024. The Our Decline seven-inch (Siren Records SR/WR#010) featured two brand new songs showcasing the band’s signature song craft and intensity. Ben Wrecked (vocals, guitar) and Matt Fish (drums) are joined once again by second guitarist Brett Moore (Sidecar, Night Sweats, Dead In London), and new bassist Peter Woodward (Sidecar, the Unknown, Restless Habs).
From the edge of Cleveland in 1991, childhood comrades Fish and Wrecked began a musical journey. Propelled by their shared passion for punk, rock, metal, and a touch of mischief, their journey was marked by bassist lineup changes, fervent local and regional gigs, and a series of independent releases that garnered a dedicated following. Their alliance with Dead Beat Records and Runt Records in their early years helped set the stage for what was to come.
By 1996, the ensemble found its rhythm with Mike Slapface joining on bass. Their signature blend of aggressive yet melodic tunes found a home at Dr. Strange Records. Releases like the full-length Youngsters / DSR #69 and collaborations with label mates, notably Zoinks!, solidified their place in the punk rock scene. The addition of Brett Moore on second guitar further enriched their sound, leading to extensive tours across the US and Europe alongside bands like The Bollweevils, Zoinks!, The Gain, and The Feds. However, as the ’90s drew to a close, the band took a step back, marking the end of an era in 1998.
Yet, 2023 brought a renaissance. The original comrades, joined again by guitar wizard Brett Moore and seasoned Cleveland musician Peter Woodward on bass, are rekindling their fiery spirit.
With a new album slated for 2025 and plans to grace stages locally, regionally, and internationally, the band is poised for a triumphant return. As they gear up to reignite their iconic sound, fans old and new can expect a resurgence of their infectious passion and energy.
Catch the band live:
May 30, 2025
Spacebar, Columbus, OH
with/Cursed Rosie, Betty Machete & the Angry Cougars
May 31, 2025
Happy Dog, Cleveland, OH
with/Cursed Rosie, SABON
Tickets: here
June 12, 2025
Smalls, Hamtramck, MI
with/Bastardous, Frank White, Newburgh
June 13, 2025
Liar’s Club, Chicago, IL
with/the Bollweevils
June 14, 2025
Siren Records, McHenry, IL
with/ J. Prozac, TBD
August 14, 2025
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, OH
with/Lives of the Saints
August 15, 2025
Westside Bowl, Youngstown, OH
with/ Beast Killer, Bastardous
August 16, 2025
Get Hip! Records, Pittsburg PA
with/Bastardous
Photo by Ken Blaze.
