Following the release of their singles, ‘Shadows’ and ‘Revolution’ which featured guest vocals from Benji Webbe of Skindred, South Wales rockers James Kennedy and The Underdogs are keeping it moving with their latest single, ‘Kill the Machines’ which will be out on October 15th on Konic Records.
The song is a high speed visceral attack on the growth of AI with its chanting “Kill the Machines” chorus and Nirvana-esque fuzz riffery, echoes of Serj Tankian vocals and manic whammy guitar solo. Singer, James Kennedy says: “Kill the Machines is about AI, social media, troll farms and propaganda. We’ve gotta get rid of that stuff. Turn it off, pull the plug and put a boot heel through the screen. They want to kill human art, truth and connection? We say Kill the Machines”
Pre-Save here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jameskennedyandtheunderdogs/kill-the-machines
The band have been closing their live shows with the song for the past few months with its irresistible final-groove breakdown leading to increased destruction on stage. A music video featuring clips of the bands anarchic, high energy live shows from the past year will accompany the single.
Kennedy devotes an entire chapter to his loathing of AI and the way it is infiltrating the arts in his 2025 book ‘Loud Medicine’ in a chapter also called ‘Kill the Machines’. In it, he says: “A robot knows no struggle; it knows no pain; it knows only its master – and its master ain’t us”
The song is the 4th single to be released from the band’s forthcoming new album entitled ‘Rebel’ and it’s available to Pre-Save on Spotify NOW at: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jameskennedyandtheunderdogs/kill-the-machines
‘Kill The Machines’ will be available on all streaming platforms from Thursday October 15th
James Kennedy and The Underdogs are an alternative rock / punk band from Newport, South Wales, formed in 2023 by singer, author, podcaster and former Kyshera frontman, James Kennedy. The band includes Jack Davies on guitar, Elliot Blake on bass, and Aggy Nowicka on drums, all former and current members of the bands Kane’d, Catalysts, and Ravenbreed.
In their mere three years as a band they have already earned a reputation for their anarchic and high-energy live shows, described by the Moshville Times as “pure rock ‘n’ roll energy” and as “Wales’ most vital live act” by Uber Rock. Their first album ‘Make Anger Great Again’ was released via Konic Records, and new album Rebel is due for release on the same label later in 2026
‘Rebel’ is set for release on 30th November 2026 via Konic Records and will be available on all streaming platforms with vinyl and CD editions available from the band’s online store at: https://jameskennedystuff.bandcamp.com / https://www.jameskennedyofficial.com/rebel
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