From Boston to Beale Street: Winona Fighter, the Rising Punk Icons
Here’s another jewel out of Nashville coming at you like a kick in the teeth with a bullhorn and a can-do attitude! In a little over a year, Winona Fighter has gone from playing the bar circuit in Tennessee to performing at Riot Fest. These rising stars have taken the punk scene by storm, breathing new life into a somewhat stale genre. Whether you're an old-school punk brushing up on what the kids are listening to or a fresh face just beginning to explore the music, this trio has something explosive to offer you. Sit back, relax, and—as they say wholeheartedly at the beginning of every show—welcome home.
Long before its conceptualization, the groundwork for Winona Fighter was being laid out on the East Coast. Frontwoman Coco Kinnon spent her early years soaking up the punk rock culture of New England. Later in life, she found herself in the twangy heart of the land of country music. A lone punk in a sea of honky tonks, Coco made it her purpose to bring punk rock to Nashville.
She would go on to recruit guitarist Dan Fuson and bassist Austin Luther. With the addition of these two, the band had found its voice and was ready to play. Challenging the musical status quo of a city is no small task; the band would spend their early days playing local clubs trying to gain traction.
In 2022, we would see their first release, their EP Father Figure. The 5-song debut would get a warm reception but fail to kick-start the group's career. It wouldn't be until the release of their single “I'M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE” in March of 2024 that they would begin to receive the recognition they deserve. Though it isn't their most popular single, the song made the rounds on essential new punk playlists, bringing in a landslide of new fans.
Their sudden popularity took them on tour, playing gigs all over America. They would go on to sign to Rise Records. Under their new label, they would produce several music videos, each of which garnered moderate success. Their latest release, “Attention,” has given us a taste of what's to come when they drop their first album.
My Apologies to the Chef is set to come out in February of 2025. The 14-track album mostly contains songs that have already been released; however, they are debuting 5 new songs audiences are itching to hear. The band has announced a 13-show tour to accompany the release of the album, kicking off on release day.
Winona Fighter’s discography begins with their EP Father Figure. The 5-track release contains hit after hit, many of which still make the band's regular set rotation two years later. The EP is defined by its innovative layered guitar riffs and pounding drum beats. This release is where the band's punk image comes through the clearest. Father Figure features a classic sound that doesn’t fall prey to old gimmicks. Not a single track feels recycled, each offering a fresh perspective on a veteran genre.
The band's next release, “Hamms In A Glass,” has by far been their most popular, earning over 3 million streams on Spotify alone. The single kicks off with a heavy beat and doesn't let up from there. Its vocals are reminiscent of The Offspring, seemingly challenging and beating the punk masters at their own game. It's easy to see how this has become their biggest hit. The music makes you want to jump up and rage while the vocals demand you scream along.
Next, the band put out my favorite track, “Johnny's Dead.” This 2023 release begins with a ripping guitar solo that continues to evolve throughout the song. It seems to pull more from the pop side of punk than previous tracks, delivering more angst than we’ve heard out of the group before. The departure is a welcome one as this single has become a fan favorite and a live-show staple.
We would get one more release in 2023, “I Think You Should Leave Now” which came out in November. This single picked up where “Johnny's Dead” left off, continuing to deliver on the pop-punk vibe. Though the instrumental is downright mellow compared to some of their other work, this release still holds its own among the rest of the group's catalog.
2024 would kick off with “I'M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE.” This song would bring thrash back to the forefront of the band's sound. With its meaty bass lines and pounding beat, this is a track made for the mosh pit. I challenge you to listen to even the first minute of this single and resist the urge to crack another listener across the jaw, all in good fun, of course.
Doing a sharp 180, 2024's next release “I Swear To God That I'm (Fine),” brings the pop-punk back in full force. If this single had been cut in the pre-recession 2000s, it would have skyrocketed the group to the heights of powerhouses like Paramore and Fall Out Boy. Unfortunately, it came out twenty years too late; still, for a genre that's died and been reborn twice now, it's impressive to see new material that can hold up to the old stuff.
The group's most recent release, “Attention,” is a teaser track off their upcoming album. The song once again pumps the brakes on the pop and ups the punk. This single sounds more akin to what we got on Father Figure, with intense instrumental and commanding vocals. Though over the last couple of years, the band has progressed past that pure punk sound, “Attention” is a clear indicator that they're still capable of producing those visceral jams.
Since the band only has 11 songs, shows can seem to blend together. From the five performances I've seen, I can tell you that they will always open with “Wlbrn St Tvrn.” From there they will slide into “Subaru” and then hit a single, usually either “Hamms In A Glass” or “Johnny's Dead.” Slip in “I'M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE” next, then a cover. Depending on the length of their set, you may get a pop punk track or two, then they wrap it up with either “Attention” or “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers.” When you've caught as many shows as I have, it starts to feel repetitive, but what can you expect from a group with such limited choices?
Their stage presence makes up for any concerns you may have about their catalog. The group runs out, instruments in hand, except for Coco. She wields her trusty bullhorn, which she yells into throughout their set. The group has comforting chemistry, seeming like they genuinely enjoy each other's company. They share a playful banter not just with each other but with the crowd as well. As far as punk shows go, theirs are usually relaxed. While the band and crowd still mosh as you would expect, you won’t see anyone getting power slammed into the floor at a Winona Fighter concert.
I can't say any of the shows I've seen were particularly memorable. Winona Fighter does a great set; however, their live performances can blend together once you’ve seen a few. That being said, even at the fifth show, I still had a fantastic time watching them play. They are a highly entertaining group that is worth seeing over and over, even if one show doesn't stand out from the next. I'm sure as they grow both in catalog and faculty, the shows will become more personalized.
The one highlight that sets each performance apart is the cover they do. At every show, they play a cover so that everybody has at least one song they can sing along to. These are usually punk classics from groups like Blink-182 and Blur. These covers have become my favorite part of their shows just for the excitement of not knowing what they are going to play. It's a considerate thing to do for those in the audience who may not be fans of the band yet and it introduces a new, refreshing element into an otherwise repetitive set.
Winona Fighter is a band right on the cusp of something great. I believe that with the release of My Apologies To The Chef, the band will reach new heights of popularity. Their limited discography is the only thing holding them back right now, but for a band that's just two years old, they're killing it. There is no doubt in my mind that in a few years, this group will be a household name. For now, they may be a small act at the bottom of the festival lineup, but by the end of the decade, they will most certainly be headlining. Keep an eye out for them on their tour this coming winter. One day you'll want to be able to brag that you saw these guys when they were still small-time players.