Portland, Oregon-based punk rock band Guerrilla Teens released their latest EP, Sympathy for the Decibel, on October 16, 2026, through Sonic Jett Records. The five-piece group, featuring musicians with decades of experience in the West Coast underground music scene, continues to blend garage punk, classic rock ’n’ roll, and the raw energy of 1970s punk.
The release marks another chapter for a band whose members have helped shape independent rock music across Southern California and the Pacific Northwest.
Guerrilla Teens Build on Decades of West Coast Punk History
Guerrilla Teens are led by vocalist Scott “Deluxe” Drake and guitarist Jeff Fieldhouse, longtime collaborators previously associated with the influential Long Beach garage-punk band The Humpers.
During the 1990s, The Humpers developed a reputation for their aggressive performances and energetic combination of punk, garage rock, and traditional rock ’n’ roll. Their career included releases through Epitaph Records and performances across the United States and Europe.
The band’s early years were closely connected to Southern California’s independent music community, including venues such as Al’s Bar in downtown Los Angeles.
Located inside the historic American Hotel, Al’s Bar served as a gathering place for musicians, artists, and underground performers. The surrounding scene was supported by independent publications and labels, including Flipside Magazine and Sympathy for the Record Industry.
Drake and Fieldhouse developed their songwriting partnership during this period, drawing inspiration from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Stooges, and the New York Dolls.
From Long Beach to Portland’s Underground Music Scene
After their years with The Humpers, Drake and Fieldhouse remained active through projects including Suicide Kings and The Lovesores.
Their collaboration eventually continued in Portland, where the city’s established punk and garage-rock community provided a new setting for their music.
During the COVID-19 lockdown period, the two musicians returned to songwriting. What initially appeared likely to become a short recording project developed into Guerrilla Teens.
The current lineup also includes 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.
Together, the five musicians bring experience from multiple generations of American independent rock.
‘Sympathy for the Decibel’ Combines Garage Punk and Classic Rock Influences
Released October 16, Sympathy for the Decibel continues Guerrilla Teens’ exploration of distorted guitars, driving rhythms, melodic songwriting, and punk-inspired arrangements.
The EP reflects influences from 1970s punk rock, garage music, and traditional American rock ’n’ roll while maintaining the band’s established sound.
Its featured tracks include:
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Sympathy for the Decibel
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Ghosts of New Orleans
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Spider Bouquet
The release is identified as containing no explicit language, making the highlighted material suitable for radio programming that requires FCC-compliant content.
A music video for the title track, “Sympathy for the Decibel,” is also available.
Twin Guitars and Melodic Songwriting Shape the Band’s Sound
One of Guerrilla Teens’ defining characteristics is the interaction between Fieldhouse and Koll’s guitars, supported by Connolly’s percussion and Andersen’s bass playing.
Andersen also contributes backing vocals, adding another melodic dimension to the group’s arrangements.
Although the band’s musical roots extend to earlier generations of punk rock, its approach incorporates darker melodies and stronger pop influences alongside aggressive guitar-driven performances.
Drake and Fieldhouse’s longstanding songwriting partnership remains central to that approach.
Their work together has continued through several bands and changing musical environments, with Drake identifying Fieldhouse as his favorite songwriting collaborator.
Rather than recreating the sound of their earlier projects, Guerrilla Teens have developed a separate identity built around the members’ collective experience.
New EP Follows ‘Under the Dagger’ and ‘The Monkey’s Paw’
Sympathy for the Decibel follows two previous Guerrilla Teens releases: Under the Dagger in 2023 and The Monkey’s Paw in 2025.
Those recordings helped establish the band’s distinctive combination of punk aggression, garage-rock influences, and melodic arrangements.
The group’s musical style has drawn comparisons to acts including The Stooges, Radio Birdman, The Humpers, Bad Nerves, CIVIC, and The Lazy Cowgirls.
Beyond studio recordings, Guerrilla Teens have maintained an active connection to live music.
Their performance history includes shared bills with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, The Lords of Altamont, and The Briefs.
Sonic Jett Records Supports the Latest Release
The new EP arrives through Sonic Jett Records and is available through digital streaming platforms.
Listeners can also access Guerrilla Teens’ earlier recordings and merchandise through the band’s Bandcamp page.
The release adds to the group’s growing catalog while highlighting the continuing influence of musicians who emerged from Southern California’s underground punk movement.
Guerrilla Teens Continue Their Commitment to Independent Rock
With Sympathy for the Decibel, Guerrilla Teens demonstrate how established musicians can build on their musical history without relying entirely on nostalgia.
The Portland quintet continues to combine decades of experience with new songwriting, maintaining its connection to independent venues, garage rock, and the broader American punk community.
The October 2026 release represents another step in the band’s ongoing career, reinforcing its commitment to recording and performing guitar-driven rock ’n’ roll.
