Wonk Unit with their blend of power ballads, punk thrashers and poetic masterpieces have quickly turned themselves into one of the most unique punk rock bands the UK has today. British Punk Still Lives spoke to the man behind the band, Alex Wonk.
The first time I listened to Wonk Unit I was amazed at how they were able to mix in comedy and punk, and make it work so well. Go Easy is a perfect example of that; a track about one of their friends, Teddy, and his crazy side after he’s had a few too many pints. In the song they’re practically begging him to just lay of the booze.
Their music tackles so many different areas. As Alex says: “Most of our songs are poems/short stories put to music. Concise snapshots of the world, bursts of inspiration, reactions to life.”
“I don’t sit down and think I will write a song about bla bla bla. I have to scribble down that shit so fast it’s hard to catch up.”
Wonk Unit like to explore a huge variety of different topics within their music, as Alex says: “If it’s silly, sad, depressing, it’s just the truth. I don’t pigeon hole myself to a certain style.” He explained how their music simply just focuses on everyday life, whether its on the good aspects or the bad.
Comedy has often been used within Wonk Unit’s discography with tracks such as Go Easy, I Told You So and I Love My Nagging Wife standing out as some of their funniest songs. Alex says: “We have a laugh. You gotta laugh at life hey, otherwise you’ll cry.”
Alex’s ability to write and create such unique songs comes from being a fan of such a wide brach of different music. Some of his inspirations include: David Bowie, Madness, Weezer and Elton John.
Alex says: “I never set out to emulate these people, but they taught me how to write songs. When I first picked up a bass and I would find my way around their songs, it was just amazing.”
“When it came to live performances, The Beastie Boys were super inspiring live”
The Punk scene within the UK is continuing to grow as more bands are breaking from the underground scene and letting their voices be heard.
Alex said: “There has been a really positive pro active shift as the newer bands have started to take over from the original 77 brigade. It’s nice, the scenes are crossing over which makes for bigger, more diverse audiences.”
However, there is a certain movement within the UK punk scene that Alex is not to fond of. “There has been a fairly recent undercurrent of point scoring, finger pointing and holier than though attitudes from a minority of bands using political agendas to further their own careers.”
Wonk Unit have released 6 albums so far:
- Flying The Japanese Flag – 2009
- Trolleys Thank You/Wonk Unit Saved My Life – 2011
- Muffy – 2013
- Nervous Racehorse – 2014
- Mr Splashy – 2016
- Terror – 2018
Wonk Unit have shown how they are far from being your average punk band. They’e not angry, heavily political or rebellious. As Alex simply puts it, “Shouting at people is never going to change a persons mind, but smiling and being nice can make a big difference.”
Punk Still Lives 