Photo: Alice Teeple
Modern post-punk creatives Cyborg Amok are gearing up for a another go, this time bringing along an impressive ensemble of musical allies. Their highly anticipated album, *Pins & Needles*, marks their first full release in over two years and is set to deliver a visceral experience at the close of 2024. This time, the duo—Greg and Brydon Bullock—has enlisted the exceptional talents of guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite, known for his work with legends like Peter Murphy, The Mission, and Gary Numan, alongside bassist Emilio Zef China, who has collaborated with the likes of Peter Murphy, Jonathan Davis, and Psychic TV. Together, they create a combustible lineup that promises a captivating experience from beginning to end.
The album’s first single, “Cellophane Grind,“ bursts onto the scene as a vibrant and defiant dance-floor anthem. It pulses with an irresistible groove, propelled by thumping drums and a bass line that weaves through the track like a confident presence claiming the night. Guitars clash and entwine, while shadowy synths murmur in the depths, all woven together by Cyborg Amok’s signature dark and brooding vocals.
Listen to Cellophane Grind below:
The album’s second single, When Animals Have Guns, is a punishing anthem that blazes with intensity. Mark and Emilio ignite the track while Brydon’s relentless drums pound the ground beneath. Greg’s haunting voice delivers a sharp, unsettling message, layered over a shadowy synth bed.
Listen to “When Animals Have Guns” below:
In December, Cyborg Amok release a third single, paving the way for the full album. Expect more sinister, synth-driven sounds that pierce through with a lingering sting, showcasing Cyborg Amok’s knack for stirring something deep and primal. It’s a dark dive into the heart of their heavy, industrial grooves, a space where tension thrums beneath each beat.
Also included is a bonus track—Why Not (Cyborg Amok)—a standout single released earlier this year. Brydon Bullock leads the charge, taking on vocals and drums, with Mark Gemini Thwaite and Emilio Zef China driving the guitars and bass. Greg laces the track with synths and backing vocals, while David Baron (Lumineers, Peter Murphy, Lenny Kravitz) ties it all together with synth programming and production. Baron’s mix brings a pulsing energy to the track, pushing it forward with a steady hand, while the band’s collective force hammers home its weight.
Cyborg Amok sat down with Post-Punk.com for an interview about the upcoming album, working with Mark Gemini Thwaite and Emilio Zef China, and their dynamic:
Cellophane Grind has a strong post-punk dance floor vibe. What inspired the direction of this track, both musically and lyrically?
G: From the beginning, we’ve experimented with various styles of music. Cellophane Grind came about while in the midst of playing a series of clubs hosting dark-wave dance parties … mostly EDM and industrial but also post-punk dance music. While I feel primarily close to the post-punk vibe, the whole dance venue scene intrigues me. Cellophane Grind just came about organically while I was sitting down playing, looking for new song ideas.
B: I think musically, it’s a symptom of being engrossed in the dark-wave and post-punk dance scenes. We’ve had a run where we were playing show after show in those clubs, so naturally, it had an influence on our writing. I think for myself, at least drum-wise, I really wanted to do a bit of a dance groove and feel. It’s simple, but really fun to go out and play.
Having seasoned musicians like Mark Gemini Thwaite and Emilio Zef China featured on your new single, what was the collaborative process like? How did their involvement shape the final sound? You’ve mentioned more tracks with Mark and Emilio leading up to the album release. Can you give us a hint about the next single or what direction the other tracks are taking?
G: I’ve known Emilio for many years. He has played on my music prior to starting Cyborg Amok. When he was on tour with Peter (Murphy), I went out to visit him on the road in Philly and met Mark after soundcheck hanging in the dressing room. I hadn’t seen him play before, but once I did he became my new favorite guitar player. (Ha!) When we were working with David Baron on the Why Not! (Cyborg Amok) single, it just made sense to ask him to play with us on that track since we already were working with David and Emilio. Once we finished that song, we asked him to do other songs for the record we were planning … the result being Pins & Needles. Collaborating with those guys is great. They’re so professional; we send off the tracks, and we get their tracks back rather quickly. They’re very easy to work with. I give them some references and let them do their thing. The results are always fantastic. They give these songs life with an edgier slant than what we’ve done in the past.
B: From a drummer’s perspective, Mark and Emilio are just fun to play with, and to play to their tracks. It always feels super tight and locked in. I think you can hear the drive they bring to this single. Everything is super punchy and driving. I always get excited every time I know I’m playing on another track with them because I know it’s gonna feel great.
As a father-son duo, how do your individual musical influences and styles blend to create Cyborg Amok’s unique sound? Are there any creative challenges that come with this dynamic?
G: Musically, we are very similar. I gravitate to darker, sometimes more progressive music. Influences such as Peter Gabriel, Depeche Mode, Peter Murphy and Pink Floyd feature prominently in my writing and producing style. I think Brydon, who started with bands like Rush and Led Zeppelin (as a drummer), has become far more diverse than I am. I’m not sure there are challenges within Cyborg Amok. I tend to build the framework of the songs, and Brydon adds his parts and ideas to the foundation I’ve laid down as the song progresses. I’d say the only challenges I see are when we are working on his solo music. He has very specific ideas as to what he wants in his songs. I try to give him what he wants, but sometimes, we have long discussions as to how and why those decisions are being made. But I’ll let him elaborate on this…
B: When I was first getting into music, playing drums, and writing, I found influence in Rush, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and other bands from that era. As I got older, I held onto those influences but branched out to more contemporary sounds, like Post Malone, Dayglow, Tyler The Creator, and a mix of other contemporary styles. I’ve paired this with the jazz and funk styles I’ve been invested in while studying jazz at university. I try to incorporate contemporary drumming into the Cyborg Amok framework, especially more indie pop/rock feels. As my dad stated, our biggest challenge mostly comes while working on my solo music. I still have a lot to learn and get caught up in the creative process, and as my dad always tells me, “put the cart before the horse.” I can usually hear the finished product in my head even before it’s done, so like many young creative artists, I have to learn more and learn to trust the process.
Your upcoming album, Pins & Needles, is set for release this winter. What themes or stories can we expect from the new album?
G: As with all the music Cyborg Amok does, it tends to explore various influences … we don’t like doing the same thing over and over. That gets stale rather quickly for us. That said, our sound/style seems to have evolved into it’s own. Like with previous albums, as lyricist, I tend to write about the things I’m seeing going on in the world around us. Death and mortality, tyranny and revolution, rights and freedoms, are all subject we are exploring on this album … what keeps us all on pins and needles.
B: It’s safe to say that in the time between our last few albums, a lot has happened to both of us as individuals and in the world around us. I think it comes out in the new album. Musically, the help of two new creative minds in Mark and Emilio, will lend to Cyborg Amok going in a new direction, as we have always done.
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