Sharkeologist Deliver Grit, Groove and Existential Bite on 'There Will Be Bread'
- Dave Bedford
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Seattle’s rising alternative outfit Sharkeologist returns with “There Will Be Bread,” a wired, high-voltage single that turns spiralling existential anxiety into something irresistibly alive. Taken from their upcoming EP TAXIDERMY IS FOREVER, the track captures a band fully leaning into their contradictions, gritty yet melodic, chaotic yet tightly controlled.
From the opening bars, “There Will Be Bread” wastes no time establishing its intent. Jagged guitar riffs cut through pounding drums, while shimmering keys soften the edges just enough to keep the track bouncing between tension and release. It’s a carefully constructed push-and-pull, one that mirrors the song’s central theme of emotional uncertainty. The addition of saxophone, courtesy of Grammy-winning musician Johnny Butler, is a standout touch, injecting a burst of unpredictable energy that elevates the track beyond standard indie-rock territory.
Lyrically, the band dives headfirst into uncomfortable territory. At its core, the song questions the authenticity of relationships in a world where emotional connection often feels transactional. Using the tongue-in-cheek metaphor of a therapist possibly caring more about “the bread” than the person, Sharkeologist tap into a broader anxiety about trust, self-interest, and emotional sincerity. It’s heavy subject matter, but delivered with a self-aware sharpness that keeps it from becoming overly bleak.
That balance is where the band truly excels. Rather than letting the weight of those ideas drag the song down, they flip it into something cathartic. The chorus bursts open with an almost defiant sense of release, making it just as suited for sweaty live sing-alongs as it is for solitary overthinking sessions. It’s music that understands its own contradictions, and embraces them.
Production-wise, the track retains a raw, live-wire feel while still sounding polished enough to hit hard on repeat listens. Recorded at Exex Audio and mastered by Ed Brooks, there’s a clarity to the chaos, each instrument fighting for space but never overwhelming the whole. It’s a testament to a band that knows exactly how much mess to leave in.
“There Will Be Bread” also highlights how far Sharkeologist have come in a short time. What began as songwriter Jeff Grant’s early compositions has evolved into a fully realised band dynamic, with each member contributing to a sound that feels urgent, immediate, and distinctly their own.
Ultimately, this is a track that thrives on tension, between doubt and confidence, cynicism and hope, introspection and release. Sharkeologist don’t try to resolve those contradictions; instead, they amplify them, turning uncertainty into fuel. And in doing so, they deliver a song that hits just as hard emotionally as it does sonically.
