The House Flies are a post-punk and dark alternative band from Moline, Illinois, bringing together elements of goth rock, shoegaze, grunge, and melodic guitar music. Their sound carries a darker edge while still leaving plenty of room for melody and atmosphere. The band has steadily built its identity through releases like ‘Mannequin Deposit’ and ‘Sweet Foxhound’, developing a style that feels rooted in alternative guitar music without sounding stuck in one particular genre. Let’s witness their magic in ‘Derelict Crawl’.
“‘Derelict Crawl’ carries a beautiful darkness that pulls you deeper with every note.”
‘Derelict Crawl’ wastes no time getting straight into action with a steady post-punk rhythm and intense guitar work. The guitars steal the spotlight with their hypnotic quality, but they are balanced really well with the quieter sections. I really like how gritty and grounded the track feels. The House Flies balance the rhythm and vocals beautifully, creating a slightly dark, restless feeling that makes you want to keep listening. Give the track a listen because this is just the beginning that leads to an entire album, ‘Lions and Ore’, that awaits even bigger surprises.
Catch our conversation with the artist below:
- The House Flies blend post-punk, goth, shoegaze, and grunge. What has shaped the band’s identity the most so far?
Probably the way the four of us work together. We all bring different music into it, and songs often change once everyone starts playing them. We try to follow what sounds right for the song without aiming to sound like any one influence.
2. ‘Derelict Crawl’ jumps straight in with gritty guitars and a steady rhythm. What feeling did you want to capture with the song?
Restlessness, mostly. It started with the bassline, and that repeating motion gave the song its feel. The guitars add more weight as it goes.
3. The track moves between intense guitars and quieter sections. How did you approach those changes in mood and energy?
We let the quieter parts stay quiet. We’ve become more comfortable giving a part time to repeat and change a little before the guitars come back in. That makes the heavier moments feel heavier.
4. The repeated line “We don’t belong” adds a strong sense of restlessness. What does that idea mean to you within the song?
It’s probably as close as I want to get to explaining the center of the song. The lyrics work through images and repetition more than a clear story, and I like leaving room for someone else to hear something of their own in that line.
5. ‘Derelict Crawl’ is one of the more direct tracks on ‘Lions and Ore’. How does it connect with the album’s slower, darker, and more atmospheric moments?
The repetition and tension run through a lot of the album. ‘Derelict Crawl’ gets to the heavier side quickly, while other songs take more time. Hearing them together gives each side more weight.
6. With ‘Lions and Ore’ and the release show coming up, what are you looking forward to exploring next as a band?
First, I’m looking forward to playing these songs together at the release show. After that, I want us to keep finding time to write, record, and play shows. I’d like to see where this lineup takes the music without deciding too early what the next record should sound like.
Catch the muse here:
Want to discover more such similar tracks? Check out our Rock Muse playlist on Spotify:
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