Have you ever stupidly missed out on a band? You know, somehow avoided listening to a band for no particular reason at all? That’s me and Milwaukee band Killer High Life. I’ve been seeing the group’s (delightful) name in listings and lineups for the past few years, but it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I finally sat down and listened to Killer High Life. Why did it take so long? No idea. But better late than never, right?
Maybe. The good news: Killer High Life is terrific, and the band’s new EP Found Dead is fantastic. The bad news: Killer Life High appears to be no more.
Let’s start with the EP. Found Dead finds the self-described “gay, midwest emo, gut-wrenching cathartic girl-rage” group following up its 2025 self-titled debut with four more tracks of alternately pissed-off and vulnerable goodness. Opener “Fisticuffs” is a noisy, loose-limbed barn burner that features singer-guitarist Brennan Deshotel, bassist Adelaide Light White, and drummer Adam Belker screaming “Take back! Take back! Take back everything I said,” and “Fuck you! Fuck her! Fuck all your shitty friends!” Tempers cool on “Jerk Chicken Rub” and “Kittens And Puppies,” but emotions still run high; both tracks represent Killer High Life comfortably cruising in its “gut-wrenching cathartic” lane. Elsewhere, the crunchy and smoldering “Vertebrae” goes full ’90s riot grrrl. It all adds up to stellar DIY-style release.
But is it a final release? Even though Found Dead was released on July 25, a July 11 show at Cactus Club was billed as Killer High Life’s final show. Is the group truly dead? Did I finally get around to listening to Killer High Life a month too late? Or is the “final show” thing all a Blair Witch-esque bit to coincide with the lore behind Found Dead?
I’m not sure, but I’m glad I did get around to listening to Killer High Life. May the band rest in peace, and/or live forever.
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