With their unrelenting energy and captivating blend of post-punk, psychedelia, and Northern grit, The Maddocks have solidified their status as one of the most exciting bands to watch in the indie music scene. Their latest single ‘Benny Says’ is nothing short of electrifying, showcasing the band’s knack for fusing raw emotion with pulsating rhythms and swirling guitar crescendos. It’s a release that not only affirms their upward trajectory but sets the stage for an even brighter future.
Hailing from Stockport, The Maddocks are a powerhouse quartet featuring George Edwards on vocals and lead guitar, Siobhán Lally on bass, Ed Gibbins on drums, and Alex Tollerfield on rhythm guitar. Formed in early 2022, the band has rapidly gained momentum, garnering critical acclaim from tastemakers like Radio X’s John Kennedy and indie icon Tim Burgess. With playlist spots on XS Manchester and Amazing Radio, as well as standout festival performances at Kendal Calling and Lakefest, their reputation has been built on electrifying live shows and a sound that defies easy categorization.
And then there’s ‘Benny Says’. From its opening moments, the track grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. A raucous anthem steeped in psychedelic punk rock, it explores the emotional tumult of an unnamed protagonist. The Maddocks paint this introspection with a swirling sonic palette: Lally’s basslines throb like a heartbeat, Gibbins’ drums drive the song forward with unwavering urgency, and Edwards and Tollerfield’s guitars build to a euphoric crescendo. The song’s chorus brims with anthemic intensity, practically begging to be screamed back by crowds in packed venues.
Fans of the band’s live performances will recognize ‘Benny Says’ as a cornerstone of their setlist since 2022. “It’s one of our favourite songs that we’ve written so far,” the band shares. “It’s already become a bit of a live favourite, and we can’t wait for more people to (hopefully!) love it as much as we do.” Listening to it, it’s not hard to see why. The track captures the essence of The Maddocks’ ethos: raw, rebellious, and unapologetically their own.
The single comes ahead of their biggest headline show yet at Manchester Academy 3 in March 2025, where the band will undoubtedly bring their high-octane energy to one of the city’s most iconic stages. It also serves as a tantalizing preview of their forthcoming EP, The Mind Palace, a release that promises to further cement their reputation as innovators in the indie and post-punk scenes.
Drawing influence from an eclectic mix of artists—Tame Impala’s dreamy psychedelia, Fontaines D.C.’s biting post-punk edge, and The Strokes’ effortless cool—The Maddocks have crafted a sound that feels expansive yet distinctly theirs. Benny Says encapsulates this evolution, marrying their gritty Stockport roots with an ambitious sonic vision that’s primed to resonate across genres and geographies.
Ultimately, ‘Benny Says’ is more than just a single; it’s a declaration. With its anthemic hooks and kaleidoscopic production, it’s a track that demands attention and signals that The Maddocks are ready to usher in a new era for indie music. As they look toward 2025, one thing is clear: The Maddocks are not just here to play—they’re here to conquer.
