London-based independent rock label Xtra Mile Recordings and rising Colchester punks Pet Needs have announced details of the Friday, March 27 release of the band’s forthcoming studio album, Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism. Its boldest and most creative album yet, the story of Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism unfolds with a mix of frenetic punk rock defiance, reflective melodic introspection, and beat-heavy party anthems alongside guest appearances by CJ Ramone, legendary auctioneer Eric Olson and friends The Whops and Jess Guise, whose interludes help the story develop.
“There has to be a reason why people continue to pursue creative careers when on paper the industry is built to break them,” vocalist Johnny Marriott said. “The power of the present — the writing, the shows, and the human connection — supersedes it all. Being a musician right now is an act of defiance.” Marriott adds, “Even with artificial intelligence and late capitalism doing everything they can to force our hands, we won’t stop. We wanted to make an album that people would love to listen to all the way through, so we decided to tell a story. Each member brought their own flair to this record. It feels vital. We’re really proud of it.”
Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism marks a decade in the life of Pet Needs. The first five years were more a part-time affair, with a handful of single releases and gigs in the back rooms of pubs and clubs as well as house shows and anywhere else that they could play. They signed to Xtra Mile Recordings to release their debut album, Fractured Party Music, in 2021 and were catapulted into a dizzying touring schedule that took them across the UK, Europe and U.S. And their feet haven’t touched the ground since.
Never staying still for long, the band is driven by their enduring pursuit of being creative, the pull of playing music and connecting with fans. But touring is also a financial necessity. Being a punk band building things up from the bottom is hard graft in an industry dominated by streaming, social media saturation and big marketing budgets. It is fitting then that their new album tackles some of these themes head-on — a satirical look at the pitfalls of trying to make it as a DIY punk band. The album charts the exploits of the band buying a second-hand punk rock career at auction and trying (and failing) to make it work.
The band’s second album, Primetime Entertainment, was released in 2022 along with Intermittent Fast Living in 2024, its third LP that entered the UK Official Album Chart at Number 17. Pet Needs have garnered plays from Steve Lamacq on 6Music, John Kennedy on Radio X, Kerrang! Radio, BBC Introducing Essex and Total Rock, as well as performing live on The Chris McCausland Show on ITV.
Having attracted attention with their relentless live shows, Pet Needs have toured extensively supporting Frank Turner, The Lottery Winners, The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, Skinny Lister, The Hives, Art Brut, NOFX, The Levellers, Spike & The Gimmie and Gimmies and Laura Jane Grace. Their own headline tours in the UK have previously sold out including their annual Fractured Party Festival which took place in May 2025 at The Garage in London and The Old Church in Stoke Newington. They’ve played the Main Stage at Beautiful Days and Bearded Theory Festivals and won over fans at 2000Trees, Dot To Dot, The Salty Dog Cruise and many more.
‘Elbows Out! This Is Capitalism’ Tracklisting
- The Auctioneer
- Tour Worn
- Hey You Hey You (Are You Are You OK OK?)
- Ducklings
- Some Advice
- The Wardrobe Song
- Party With A Hard T
- Pixels
- Listening
- Top Score
- The Ship Is Still Sinking
- Paintballs
- Keep Eyes On
- Vertical
- A Great Deal
- Can We Get This Straight
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://www.petneedsband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wearepetneeds
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https://www.threads.net/@wearepetneeds
https://bsky.app/profile/wearepetneeds.bsky.social
https://www.youtube.com/c/PETNEEDS
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bBMfsANUM0cj5h5MjEdxP