Essex-based Pet Needs has released an updated version of their early anthem “Punk Isn’t Dead (It’s Just Up For Sale).” The track has been reworked from the original iteration to create a fresh acoustic version, while retaining just as much punch and bite. It provides a taster of the upcoming new album ‘Kind of Acoustic,’ which is slated for release on 24th January on the Xtra Mile Recordings label.
Originally penned years ago by frontman Johnny after a train journey through London’s commuter-packed streets, the song was a snapshot of a punk ethos – a genre born of rebellion – transformed into a commodity for mass consumption. Fast forward to 2025, and this anthem about punk’s commodification still resonates, even in its new, gentler form.
Johnny Marriott of the band reflects, “We tour the world making a living playing shows and selling t-shirts that proudly shout, “Punk Isn’t Dead (It’s just Up for Sale!)”…. The irony isn’t lost on us. Talk about life imitating art! We didn’t know it at the time, but by writing this song we have subjected ourselves to a lifetime of questions by punk rock gatekeepers – is punk dead? Are we punk? Is it punk if it has a guitar solo?…”
The track’s accompanying music video captures this spirit. Filmed in a dilapidated church on the west coast of Wales, the visuals are infused with the kind of DIY charm and rawness that has always been synonymous with Pet Needs. Marriot adds, “It was a joy to revisit and reimagine the tune … And the video – of course – had to be a collaboration with our amazing fanbase who keep us in a job. They’re the best.”
This single follows “The Burning Building,” another harbinger of ‘Kind of Acoustic,’ and serves as a tantalizing preview of what’s to come on the full album. Recorded in the tiny Welsh village of Borth at Our Lady Studio, the band worked alongside producer Mike West to rework and perform a collection of their songs live in the studio’s hauntingly beautiful, deconsecrated church setting.
Amongst its twelve tracks, listeners can expect smash singles (“Get On The Roof”, “Ibiza In Winter”, “Fear For The Whole Damn World”, “Punk Isn’t Dead”), alongside a smorgasbord of fan (and band) favourites from their debut ‘Fractured Party Music,’ fiery follow-up ‘Primetime Entertainment,’ and Official Top 20 Album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’.
Supporting the release in fitting fashion, Pet Needs will also be heading out on a run of acoustic shows around the release at the end of the month – tickets on sale here now. The band are also limbering up for two special FRACTURED PARTY IV shows in London this May, with the support acts just confirmed. Sonic Boom Six are special guests at the full band electric show at The Garage on 4th May with Shed and Pageant Mum also supporting. And Generation Feral has been added to the two acoustic shows on 3rd May at The Church in Stoke Newington. With the two acoustic shows on 3rd of May already sold out, final tickets are remaining for the band’s headline show at The Garage and can be grabbed here now.
Catch them at these venues as follows:
JANUARY
23 – The Salty Dog, Northwich
24 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
25 – The Hairy Dog, Derby
28 – The Parish, Huddersfield
29 – Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln
30 – The Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham
31st – In Cider Festival
FEBRUARY
1 – St Stephen’s Church, Ipswich
MAY
– FRACTURED PARTY IV –
3 – THE CHURCH, Stoke Newington, London – SOLD OUT
w/ Generation Feral
4 – THE GARAGE, London
w/ Sonic Boom Six, Shed, & Pageant Mum
‘KIND OF ACOUSTIC’
OUT 24 JANUARY 2025, VIA XTRA MILE RECORDINGS
PRE-ORDER HERE
