Los Angeles psych-punks Frankie and the Witch Fingers have been steadily building a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts on the planet, this year evolving into a five-piece. With synthesizers and other mystery gadgets their new album Trash Classic is a full-tilt homage to the wild energy of early ‘80s new wave, repurposed through a modern lens of crypto scams and algorithmic overload.

Sharp guitars and sputtering synths meet in a frenzy of tight retro grooves, with lyrical themes that are gratifyingly punk, and the band’s embrace of modular keyboards is a triumph, with vibrant textures crackling with manic energy. The liner notes of the album detail which synths appear on which song with photographs, embracing a range of analog hardware over modern digital polish.

If chaos is the new normal, then Frankie and the Witch Fingers have chosen to transform the overload of the 2020s into infectious satirical dance music. With an unmissable UK tour on the way, we caught up with the band to find out more about their latest release:

The title Trash Classic, is it a nod to the old-school gear on the record?

What inspired the move to include so many synths?

Can you talk about what makes this analog kit so special? Have you got any favourite pieces of kit?

What’s the core concept(s) tying the record together?

You’ve been through some lineup changes in the past few years, can you tell us what your new members have brought into the fold?

How collaborative is the songwriting? There’s a real tightness to the grooves, are the songs jammed together over time?

What’s the deal with this very specific shade of green that’s taken over your world lately?

With the UK tour on the way, what can people expect from a Frankie and the Witch Fingers live show?

Do you have any favourite venues or festivals you’ve played in the UK in the past?

What is the ultimate goal of Frankie and the Witch Fingers?