Sheffield's Widows Peak! Strike with Poetic Power: New EP They’ll Have My Hands for This!

Oct 27, 2024 4:45 PM

Eastern Daylight Time

Oct 27, 2024

Widows Peak!, the pop-punk/emo trio formerly known as The Crooked Smiles, are hitting hard with their debut EP under a new name. Offering a more mature, layered, and darker sound than their 2022 album 'Tears in the Palace', the new 4-track EP 'They’ll Have My Hands for This!' (including the haunting intro 'The Death of The Crooked Smiles') delves into themes of guilt, unrequited love, existentialism, and ageing. Familiar topics, sure—but Widows Peak brings fresh depth and poetic nuance to the table, crafting an 11-minute journey through the heart and soul of the band.

With emotionally charged vocals, infectious guitar lines, and relentless drumming, this EP is more than worth the listen (though the band cheekily notes there will be no refunds). Standout singles like 'Like Fingerprints on an Abandoned Handrail', a two-minute sonic dive into memory loss and ageing, and 'Stranraer (Today?)', a bittersweet exploration of a complicated relationship, come complete with self-made, tongue-in-cheek music videos for a full sensory experience.

'They’ll Have My Hands for This!' drops everywhere on October 27th, 2024.

About:

Formerly known as The Crooked Smiles, Widows Peak! are a 3-piece pop-punk/emo band from Sheffield, UK. The trio have crafted their tone over 2 EP’s, before releasing their debut album in 2022. Combining the raw garage sounds of the late-90s pop-punk scene with a more melodic and polished sound of Mid-Western Emo, The Crooked Smiles put a unique spin on power chord anthems, fueled by poetic lyricism, break-neck drums, and roaring guitar lines.

Founded in 2019, lead singer and guitarist Michael Rodber met drummer Declan Quick loitering inconspicuously outside the toilets of a local rock club. The two quickly bonded over Declan’s Alkaline Trio shirt, and drunkenly promised each other they’d start a band together, and to their surprise they did! At first, practices were nothing more than an excuse to whale along to early 2000’s pop-punk. Before long, and with the help of a friend of the band jumping in for additional guitars, the two strived to cobble together something resembling a song. After a late night coach trip back from a blink-182 cover band show, the lyrics to their first single, Pins and Needles, was put to paper, before the two hit the studio. Later on while on a University trip to the heart of Edinburgh, Rodber bumps into the future bassist of The Crooked Smiles. Over a couple of beers and a stroke of luck at the hostel bar, Michael and bassist George Allen to struck up a conversation on music, before ideas of grandeur (local pub shows) were floated across the table. When the pair returned to Sheffield, George was introduced to Declan, and Widows Peak! as you know them were born.

Since those serendipitous beginnings, the trio have crafted their tone over 2 EP’s, before releasing their debut album, Tears in the Palace, now in 2023. Combining the raw garage sounds of the late-90s pop-punk scene with a more melodic and polished sound of Mid-Western Emo, Widows Peak! put a unique spin on power chord anthems, fueled by poetic lyricism, break-neck drums, and roaring guitar lines.

WIDOWS PEAK! are:

Michael Rodber - Vocals/Guitar‍

George Allen - Bass‍

Declan Quick - Drums