KEG return with off-kilter single ‘Michael Phelps’

London-based collective KEG has shared their new single Michael Phelps which is out now via Alcopop! Records on all good digital platforms. 

Built around a crunching Melvins-esque grunge riff colliding headlong with staccato Talking Heads witticisms and sparkling splashes of intertwining lead guitar, the new track is an unlikely ode to American former competitive swimmer and most-decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps.

Commenting on the new track the band said: “As the end times grow near, it’s important to brush up on your aquatic exercises and pay homage to the impending great overlord Michael Phelps. His coronation is approaching so we consider it only appropriate that he should have an anthem. Like a worm thirsting for nutrients in the starved soil of a playpark in Burnley, the people of earth are craving a leader with the aquatic finesse akin to a powerful sea otter.” Watch the video for Michael Phelps via YouTube below.

Following a hectic 2023 of touring and festival appearances at Green Man, End of The Road, Live At Leeds, Latitude and a string of dates across Europe, the new track is the first new material from the collective since 2023 standalone single ‘Quip Quash’, and the band’s critically acclaimed debut EP ‘Girders,’ which was released on Alcopop! Records/BMG in 2022.

KEG have seen riotous acclaim at press and radio with multiple champions at BBC 6Music —where Steve Lamacq, Craig Charles and Chris Hawkins have all heaped praise on the outfit—and major support from publications including NME, CLASH, DIY (where the band were featured in the annual ‘Class of 2023’ tip list), DORK, So Young, CLUNK more, touring with the likes of Squid and Talk Show.

Band members Albert (vocals), Joel (bass), and Will (synth) grew up together around the seaside Yorkshire town of Bridlington, and like many artists growing up in the provinces, they shared a yearning to leave. Spreading to different parts of the country after leaving school, they found their bandmates in their respective cities and found one another once again, now based in London.

Frank (guitar), whose background resides mostly in hip-hop, afforded a unique pulse with a guitar sound which is manic, discordant but firm. Jules (guitar), whose songwriting sensibilities come from a love of cadence and craft of beautiful soul ballads, imbued the band with his structured sense of composition. Both Charlie (trombone & shell) and Johnny (drums) come from classically trained Jazz backgrounds.  

Rumours of a new album in the works are swirling around camp KEG, with further news to come over the coming months.

Live dates

08.05.24 – London – Hootananny Brixton