Fremantle five-piece GRUB have announced their self-titled debut album, due on 9 October via Wing Sing Records, alongside the release of its lead single, ‘Shake It’, introducing a band that has been steadily building momentum within Western Australia’s underground music scene.
Pre-order the album HERE.
The story begins in familiar territory: late-night shifts and shared ideas at Fremantle institution Mojos Bar. From those after-hours conversations emerged a lineup featuring songwriter and vocalist Matilda Beales, joined by Peter Bibby (drums), Edo Ekic (bass), Duncan Strachan (guitar) and Mitch McDonald (guitar). Together, they’ve forged a sound that pulls from garage punk, post-punk and dark disco without settling comfortably into any one genre.
Lead single ‘Shake It’ captures that collision. Propelled by driving rhythms and wiry guitars, the track balances dancefloor urgency with a raw, confrontational edge, while Beales’ sharp, unfiltered lyricism sits firmly at its centre. Describing the song as “our offering to dark disco and to dance,” she frames it as an outlet for difficult emotions, filtered through the lens of a B-grade horror film.
The forthcoming nine-track album promises to expand on those themes, with Beales exploring the contradictions, frustrations and absurdities of everyday life through songwriting that is equal parts biting, vulnerable and darkly humorous.
For a band still preparing to release its debut album, GRUB already sound fully formed. ‘Shake It’ is an assured introduction, suggesting Fremantle has another compelling guitar band ready to step onto the national stage.
