Seattle’s HORSEFIGHT is a band born from both partnership and friendship. Led by newlyweds Greg Wood (lead guitar, vocals) and Sabine Bischofberger (bass, backing vocals), along with drummer Fred Ness, the group crafts a sound that blends the swagger of The Rolling Stones with the raw energy of the Pixies. Guitarist Jason Volpe, a lifelong friend of Wood, makes occasional contributions to their recordings.
The trio’s debut EP, Volunteer, which dropped on February 21, 2025, is a six-song collection that fuses classic rock structures with the grit of ‘90s college radio. Wood describes their songwriting process as starting with a clear influence—usually either the Pixies or the Stones—before evolving into something else entirely. That contrast is evident across the EP, which moves between high-energy rockers and introspective slow burns.
Tracks like “Cease and Desist” and “Free Time” lean into classic rock’s confidence, while “Burden” and “Daily Dose” embrace a fuzzier, lo-fi aesthetic. Meanwhile, “Change” and “Anhedonia” explore a darker, more contemplative space, with lyrics that reflect uncertainty and self-doubt. Wood explains that the record is about facing a crossroads in life, unsure of what comes next. This theme is especially clear in “Free Time,” where he asks, “What do we do now with all this free time?/A perfect chance to fall further behind.”
The band doesn’t shy away from self-awareness, either. On “Cease and Desist,” Wood wrestles with musical influence, singing, “Do we rip off the Stones?/Have everybody think we’re mindless drones.” That sense of playful yet anxious reflection continues through the closing track, “Anhedonia,” which paints a picture of being trapped in an endless cycle, summed up in the refrain, “I’m swimming in circles/Keep swimming in circles.”
Musically, Volunteer balances familiar elements with a fresh perspective. Wood’s sharp guitar work is met with Bischofberger’s melodic bass lines, often doubling the melody to add weight to each song. Ness’ drumming is precise yet dynamic, especially on the driving outro of “Anhedonia.”
HORSEFIGHT’s debut is a compelling take on garage rock, offering both energy and introspection. Volunteer feels like a band working through its identity in real-time, and that honesty makes it all the more engaging.