Portland, Oregon-based punk rock band Guerrilla Teens have released their latest EP, Sympathy for the Decibel, through Sonic Jett Records on 16 October 2026, continuing a musical career rooted in the American West Coast underground scene.
The five-piece group, led by vocalist Scott “Deluxe” Drake and guitarist Jeff Fieldhouse, combines garage punk, traditional rock ’n’ roll and influences from the 1970s punk movement. The new release follows the band’s previous recordings and reflects the continuing creative partnership between two musicians whose careers stretch back several decades.
The EP features tracks including Sympathy for the Decibel, Ghosts of New Orleans and Spider Bouquet, with an accompanying music video released for the title track.
Guerrilla Teens Build on Decades of West Coast Punk History
Guerrilla Teens emerged from a musical network associated with Southern California’s garage-punk movement during the 1990s.
Drake and Fieldhouse previously performed together in The Humpers, a Long Beach-based band that developed a following through its combination of punk rock, garage music and traditional rock influences.
The Humpers performed extensively across the United States and Europe, eventually releasing music through Epitaph Records.
Their early performances were connected to Los Angeles venues such as Al’s Bar, a gathering place for musicians and artists within the city’s underground cultural community.
The group’s musical influences included Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Stooges and New York Dolls, combining early rock ’n’ roll rhythms with the aggressive guitar sound associated with punk.
Following their time in The Humpers, Drake and Fieldhouse continued working across several projects, including Suicide Kings and The Lovesores.
Their subsequent relocation to Portland helped establish the foundations of Guerrilla Teens, bringing together musicians with extensive experience in the city’s independent music scene.
Current Line-up Brings Together Established Punk Musicians
Alongside Drake and Fieldhouse, Guerrilla Teens features guitarist Saul Koll, drummer Tim Connolly and bassist Anna Andersen.
Koll previously performed with The Lovesores and 8-Foot Tender, while Connolly and Andersen have connections to Portland bands including The Epoxies and The Suicide Notes.
The current line-up developed during the COVID-19 lockdown period, when renewed songwriting sessions between Drake and Fieldhouse evolved into a larger recording project.
Although the musicians share connections with earlier bands, Guerrilla Teens operates as a separate creative project rather than a reunion of The Humpers.
The group has developed its own musical identity through dual-guitar arrangements, darker melodies, prominent hooks and backing vocals from Andersen.
‘Sympathy for the Decibel’ Continues Band’s Recording Output
The new EP follows Under the Dagger, released in 2023, and The Monkey’s Paw, which arrived in 2025.
These earlier recordings helped establish the band’s approach to combining garage rock and punk influences with melodic songwriting.
Sympathy for the Decibel continues that direction, drawing on distorted guitars, energetic rhythms and the musical traditions associated with the American underground rock scene.
The release is aimed at listeners familiar with bands such as The Stooges, Radio Birdman, The Humpers, Bad Nerves, CIVIC and The Lazy Cowgirls.
Its three highlighted tracks demonstrate the band’s continuing commitment to guitar-driven rock music, while the title track has also received a dedicated promotional video.
New EP Available Through Streaming Platforms
The EP became available for public streaming on 16 October 2026, with the band’s catalogue also accessible through its Bandcamp store.
The release provides another addition to Sonic Jett Records’ catalogue and extends Guerrilla Teens’ recorded output following two earlier projects.
Guerrilla Teens Maintain Presence in Independent Live Music Scene
Beyond recording, Guerrilla Teens have continued performing alongside established punk and garage-rock acts.
Their previous live appearances include shared bills with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Lords of Altamont and The Briefs.
These performances have helped maintain the group’s connection with audiences interested in independent guitar music and the continuing legacy of West Coast punk.
The longstanding songwriting relationship between Drake and Fieldhouse remains central to the band’s development, linking their early Southern California recordings with their current work in Portland.
With Sympathy for the Decibel, Guerrilla Teens continue to expand their catalogue while drawing on the musical experience of their members.
The latest release highlights the continued activity of veteran musicians within the independent punk-rock sector, where smaller record labels, live performances and digital distribution remain important channels for reaching audiences.
George Orwell is a writer and contributor covering politics, society, culture, and current affairs. His work focuses on providing clear analysis and thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping modern Britain and the wider world, helping readers better understand complex topics.
