Dead Tooth don’t waste time with pleasantries on “You Never Do Shit.” It’s a grimy, bloodshot burst of post-punk fury that finds frontman Zach Ellis in a teeth-baring snarl, spitting lines like he’s got a score to settle. As the lead single from their self-titled debut due in July, the track is both a battle cry and a bottle smash—loud, fast, and unapologetically abrasive.
Originally written for a fictional band in City on Fire, Ellis wrestled this one back into his own hands—and it shows. It’s got all the hallmarks of a band leaning into their identity: erratic sax stabs from John Stanesco, scuzzy basslines from James Duncan, and a rhythm section that practically throws elbows. Think early Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Iceage with a saxophone and a headache.
But don’t mistake chaos for carelessness. Dead Tooth’s raw energy is honed by years of grinding it out on tour, from packed Brooklyn basements to SXSW stages. Their pedigree—working with members of DIIV, sharing bills with GWAR and Juellz Santana—gives them an oddball credibility few bands can claim. It’s punk with a theatrical bent and a DIY ethic that still somehow screams fashion show afterparty.
“You Never Do Shit” might be brash, but that’s the point. It’s a warning shot from a band that’s no longer lurking in the wings. With their debut album on the horizon, Dead Tooth aren’t just joining the conversation—they’re kicking the door down, saxophone in hand.
