Catching Up at BIGSOUND 2025 with Mannequin Death Squad
At BIGSOUND 2025, we caught up with Melbourne-based punk duo Mannequin Death Squad at The Ovolo Hotel in Fortitude Valley to talk about their high-energy performances, their new album Wise and Dangerous, and their unique live show experience.
Elly Vex and Dan shared a glimpse into their dynamic and what drives their sound.
“We’re a two-piece, and we both play each other’s instruments,” says Elly. “If you’ve seen us live, we swap between drums, guitar, and vocals. It’s chaotic but also really fun. We like to keep it high-energy with catchy melodies.”
Mannequin Death Squad’s latest album, Wise and Dangerous, delivers just that—chaotic energy and gritty punk-rock vibes with elements of indie and alternative. Their focus track, “Shame,” is a perfect example of this. Starting with dreamy acoustic guitar and Elly’s soft vocals, the track soon erupts into a tidal wave of fuzzed-out guitars, thundering drums, and pulse-pounding bass. It’s a raw anthem that captures the feeling of being taken for granted while still maintaining a sense of cathartic release.
“It’s about coming to terms with being too nice and getting walked over in life,” explains Elly. “It’s a track about owning responsibility for things not going your way and accepting that life is what you make of it.”
The duo’s live performance is as dynamic as their music. Swapping instruments mid-set adds an extra layer of unpredictability. “It’s good if you’re having a bad day on guitar, or the sound’s not right up there,” Dan adds with a grin. “You can always swap it over. You get two chances for a good show—or two chances for a bad one. Hopefully, not the latter!”
Their fearless approach to music and live shows has led them to sell out hometown gigs, support legendary bands like Suicidal Tendencies, and tour internationally across Europe, the UK, and India. As they embark on their Wise and Dangerous National Tour, they’re set to bring their electrifying live performance to fans across Australia.
“BIGSOUND’s been great for making connections,” says Elly. “We want to meet people who see eye to eye with us and hopefully build a cool team from that.”
With Wise and Dangerous now available worldwide, Mannequin Death Squad’s raw energy, powerful melodies, and punk rock ethos are sure to leave a lasting mark on the music scene.
Stay connected to Mannequin Death Squad.
Big loves to The Ovolo Hotel, Audio Technica, and the legends at Sprocket Roasters and for making this chat possible.
