Wrangler Brutes

ByLets Go Punk

Wrangler Brutes emerged as an American hardcore punk band in 2003 in Los Angeles, California, featuring a lineup with a rich punk pedigree.

History

The band formed around vocalist Sam McPheeters (ex-Born Against, Men’s Recovery Project), drummer Brooks Headley (ex-Born Against, Universal Order of Armageddon, (Young) Pioneers), guitarist Andy Coronado (of Skull Kontrol, Monorchid, Nazti Skinz, Glass Candy), and bassist Cundo Si Murad. Within nine months, the band self-released their eponymous cassette, selling over 1,000 copies. This was followed by a 7″ record and the full-length LP, Zulu, recorded in May 2004 with Steve Albini. The album boasted contributions from Chris Thomson (Monorchid, Circus Lupus) and Keith Morris (Circle Jerks) on vocals. Despite the band’s split, a limited-run cassette-only version of the Zulu Live “Bootleg” recording was eventually released in 2017.

In December 2004, following a Japanese tour, McPheeters exited, and Dean Spunt of Wives and No Age replaced him for the band’s last US show.

Live Performances

Known for confrontational and hectic live performances, Wrangler Brutes were celebrated by their ardent fans for reviving the artsy yet entertaining briskness reminiscent of early Los Angeles hardcore punk. McPheeters’ dominating sense of humor, expressed through caustic and cryptic patter, became a defining aspect of their shows. Notably, McPheeters, a history buff, concluded their first tour by donning a wig and delivering a dramatic monologue from the closing scene of Act 1 of Shakespeare’s Henry V.

McPheeters, under the pseudonym “Walter Burgerns” (an anagram of the band’s name), wrote an exaggerated dismissal of Zulu for the OC Weekly.

Band Members

  • Sam McPheeters: Vocals
  • Andy Coronado: Guitar
  • Cundo Si Murad: Bass
  • Brooks Headley: Drums

Discography

  • 1 sided 7″ (WBR, 2003)
  • 16-song cassette (WBR, 2003)
  • Zulu LP/CD (WBR/Kill Rock Stars, 2004)
  • Zulu “Bootleg” CD – Live from Monkey Mania – Denver, CO (Unreleased, 2004)
  • 16 Song Cassette Revisited LP (X-Mist, 2005)
  • 16 Song Cassette Revisited, Again 8″x 2 (Clarence Thomas, 2005)
  • Denver 10/08/04 Cassette (25 Diamonds Label, 2017) (cassette version of Zulu “Bootleg” CD – Live from Monkey Mania – Denver, CO)

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