Fake Names' Expendables: members of Refused, Bad Religion, Fugazi and Girls Against Boys unite for a righteous racket

Fake Names' second album is punk rock nirvana from scene lifers who still value, and believe in, the power of three chords and the truth

Fake Names' Expendables artwork
(Image: © Epitaph)

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

As an album written and recorded by men of a certain age, it might reasonably be supposed that Expendables, the second full-length release from the American and European collective Fake Names, might take a more weatherworn approach to the kinds of issues that once furrowed their younger brows. After all, what are you gonna do? Years of experience have taught them that can’t fight City Hall, son.

But as the first of the LP’s 10 economical and persuasive tracks gun into life, a lyric emerges that suggests there’s fight in the old dogs yet. “Within the cage there’s no way to understand who makes the profit and who benefits from the scam,” comes the warning. “It’s not you, and it’s never been, it’ll never be – you’re just a pawn that defends your own misery.”

The person singing these words is Denis Lyxzen, who made his bones as a member of punk rock game-changers Refused. At his back, guitarists Brian Baker – since 1995 the lead player with Bad Religion; formerly a member of Minor Threat – and Michael Hampton (whose younger self played with Henry Rollins in S.O.A), and bassist Johnny Temple (day job: Girls Against Boys) provide light and shade and, when required, more than a little muscle. Keeping time is Brendan Canty, formerly the drummer with no lesser lights than Fugazi. By instinct, music-makers balk at the term “supergroup”. So let’s just say that between them the members of Fake Names have quite the backstory. 

As you might expect from a cast list as accomplished as this, Expendables is a tasteful affair. Fluent, nuanced, patient and poised, its songs are in no hurry to make their point. And while it might be said that in an ideal world it would have been nice to hear more in the way of lead guitar from Baker – who for decades has ranked among the most accomplished and exciting players in the field – the felicitous interplay between him and Hampton gives the album a luxuriant and sophisticated feel. Think Keith Levene rather than Johnny Ramone. Which isn’t to say that Fake Names aren’t averse to locating their higher gears every now and again, mind. On both the Damage Done and the propulsive title track, Expendables shifts air with the kind of delight reserved for people who know that closest thing to heaven is to (punk) rock and roll. 

In other words, Fake Names are a delight. In terms of music fashioned by lifers equipped with both talent and authority, their album is a tour of a neighbourhood that they themselves have helped to build, and to maintain. “We’re nothing but expendables,” sings Lyxzen with the kind of perpetual adolescence without which no punk rock album would ever be complete. “That’s what they’re saying. But we know it isn’t true.”


Ian Winwood
Freelance Writer

Barnsley-born author and writer Ian Winwood contributes to The Telegraph, The Times, Alternative Press and Times Radio, and has written for Kerrang!, NME, Mojo, Q and Revolver, among others. His favourite albums are Elvis Costello's King Of America and Motorhead's No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith. His favourite books are Thomas Pynchon's Vineland and Paul Auster's Mr Vertigo. His own latest book, Bodies: Life and Death in Music, is out now on Faber & Faber and is described as "genuinely eye-popping" by The Guardian, "electrifying" by Kerrang! and "an essential read" by Classic Rock. He lives in Camden Town.

Read more
Sex Pistols at the RAH
"Open the dance floor, you’ll never get to do it again." Forget John Lydon's bitter and boring "karaoke" jibes, with Frank Carter up front, the Sex Pistols sound like the world's greatest punk band once more
Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking cover art
"Fuelled by despair as usual but also simplicity, the songs are rock throughout": Manic Street Preachers show that rage never sleeps on Critical Thinking
the singer from Bad nerves onstage laughing
“This could be the last show we ever play!” Bad Nerves prove why they're Billie Joe Armstrong's favourite new band
Envy of None – Stygian Wavs
“It’s not about that guy from Rush any more,” says Alex Lifeson. But with four and a half solos, it’s great to have him using those colours again on Envy Of None’s Stygian Wavz
Billie Joe Armstrong, January 15, 2025
"Dance, drink, and be merry!" Green Day's "glorified karaoke" side-project The Coverups host a joyously messy party in London
The Wildhearts: Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts
“An ode to the litany of wankers we all have to deal with every day”: The Wildhearts prove once again they’re one of the UK’s greatest bands with The Satanic Rites Of…
Latest in
Foreigner at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2024
Foreigner will complete their Historic Farewell Tour with four different singers – and one of them has recorded Spanish versions of their hits
The cover of Classic Rock 339, featuring Pink Floyd
"It's the father and mother of The Dark Side Of The Moon!": The full inside story of Pink Floyd's Live At Pompeii - only in the new issue of Classic Rock
Asia
"The haters won’t stop us from doing what we do": Geoff Downes on Asia's new lineup and the band's future plans
Fleetwood Mac group portrait
"The soundtrack to the greatest rock'n'roll soap opera ever": The mightiest Fleetwood Mac line-up albums in one handy box
Pete Townshend - The Studio Albums cover art
"This collection embodies both the best and worst of Townshend the artist and arch conceptualist": An overview of the solo career of Pete Townshend, the man who never meant to have a solo career
Linkin Park 2024
Linkin Park launch "the best song we've ever made" Up From The Bottom
Latest in Review
Fleetwood Mac group portrait
"The soundtrack to the greatest rock'n'roll soap opera ever": The mightiest Fleetwood Mac line-up albums in one handy box
Pete Townshend - The Studio Albums cover art
"This collection embodies both the best and worst of Townshend the artist and arch conceptualist": An overview of the solo career of Pete Townshend, the man who never meant to have a solo career
The Horrors
Ghouls Aloud: The Horrors come back from the dead with "a dazzling nocturnal spectacle of sombre reflections and oozing catharsis"
/news/the-darkness-i-hate-myself
"When the storm clouds clear, the band’s innate pop sensibilities shine as brightly as ever": In a world of bread-and-butter rock bands, The Darkness remain the toast of the town
Sex Pistols at the RAH
"Open the dance floor, you’ll never get to do it again." Forget John Lydon's bitter and boring "karaoke" jibes, with Frank Carter up front, the Sex Pistols sound like the world's greatest punk band once more
Arch Enemy posing in an alleyway
Arch Enemy promised they'd throw out the rule book for Blood Dynasty. They didn't go quite that far, but this is the boldest album of the Alissa White-Gluz era - and it kicks ass