Nashville punk trio Winona Fighter is turning up the heat with the release of “My Apologies To The Chef Deluxe“, an expanded edition of their acclaimed debut album, out now via Rise Records.
Every track from the original album has been reimagined acoustically, capturing the grit and intimacy of the band’s live shows. Alongside these stripped-down versions, Winona Fighter flexes their range with covers of the Beastie Boys’ riotous “Sabotage” and Violent Femmes’ cult classic “Blister In The Sun”, plus a brand-new single, “(Don’t Get) CLOSE”.
Frontwoman and multi-instrumentalist Coco Kinnon says the project allowed the band to step outside their usual ferocity and showcase a rawer, more vulnerable side.
“We just love to play, especially together, so it was exciting to take on such a fun project,” Kinnon explains. “Some of these recordings are literally the three of us around one microphone with just our guitars. It’s as raw as it gets”.
That unpolished spirit echoes the band’s ethos: honesty, energy, and a willingness to step outside the box.
Punk Anger with Purpose
Formed after Kinnon moved from Boston to Nashville, Winona Fighter, completed by guitarist Dan Fuson and bassist/producer Austin Luther, first made waves with their 2022 debut EP “Father Figure“. Their full-length debut “My Apologies To The Chef” sharpened their reputation, balancing cathartic rage with sharp hooks.
The record opens with the fiery anthem “JUMPERCABLES” before sliding into fan favorites like “Subaru” and “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers”. Tracks such as “Swimmer’s Ear” and “Johnny’s Dead” reveal a mix of humor, heartbreak, and raw honesty, while “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE” channels Kinnon’s personal experiences with dating abuse into something universal, and loud.
For Kinnon, anger isn’t just fuel for songwriting, it’s a necessary release.
“We’re taught to suppress our anger, and that’s so lame”, she says. “Why are we okay with people being sad and anxious, but not with people having an outlet to be angry? If more people let themselves be angry, maybe we’d all be a little happier”.
Uncomfortable, and Proud of It
That refusal to play it safe defines both the band’s music and their career path. The album’s closer, “DON’T WALLOW”, was inspired by the group handing out flyers outside a festival they weren’t booked to play, a moment that could’ve felt humiliating but instead became empowering.
“You should be uncomfortable all the time during this process”, Kinnon reflects. “If you’re comfortable, you’re not doing enough”.
It’s this relentless drive, paired with their mix of fury and vulnerability, that makes Winona Fighter one of the most compelling rising acts in punk today.
“My Apologies To The Chef Deluxe” is streaming now, with vinyl available for pre-order here.
