Detroit’s underground scene has birthed another force to be reckoned with. Marcus: the Apex Predator! is an indie-punk trio bringing raw, unfiltered energy and an unapologetic sound. Their latest release, “Newborn Fossil,” is a relentless burst of intensity. Five songs unfold over 17 minutes with gritty urgency and a pulsing DIY spirit. This EP proves that Marcus: the Apex Predator! is not just here to play. They are here to leave a mark. Rock the Pigeon is excited to dive in.
The record kicks off with a gritty, distorted electric guitar on the title track, Newborn Fossil, laying down a catchy riff. A second guitar joins in, followed by pounding drums and dynamic vocals that drive the song forward with infectious energy. The vocals have a hook-laden delivery, while the guitars layer in even more addictive riffs.The song draws inspiration from the experience of being a young punk in the crowd at a Jawbreaker concert, a band that has deeply influenced Marcus: the Apex Predator!. That raw, electric energy from the show still lingers, fueling their songwriting to this day. The vocal tone and recording quality echo the sound of Jawbreaker and other iconic punk bands of that era, capturing the spirit of the genre with a fresh edge.
Even more captivating guitar riffs emerge on Lo’Fi, a track that leans into an unconventional drum groove and offbeat vocal delivery. The rhythm itself becomes a hook, pulling the listener deeper into the song. The verses sway with a hypnotic feel before bursting into an anthemic chorus that demands to be sung along to. The guitars strike a unique balance—distorted and crunchy, yet dreamy and immersive—creating a sound that washes over the listener with raw emotion and momentum. Lo’Fi explores the struggle of pursuing a creative path in music while family members grapple with understanding its purpose and meaning, making it as personal as it is powerful.
The First Summer is a high-energy track that races forward with relentless momentum. The verses feature a spoken vocal delivery, adding a raw, almost conversational feel, before shifting into a more melodic pre-chorus and chorus. The dynamic shift keeps the song engaging, building tension before releasing it in anthemic bursts. Lyrically, the song captures the electric energy of that first summer after COVID’s initial wave. The pandemic hit hard in early 2020, locking everyone inside, but by June, there was a brief lull. Bands started playing shows again, crowds cautiously reunited, and despite the masks and uncertainty, the collective vibration was rising. It felt like a rebirth, a moment of possibility, even if it was fleeting. Lead singer Kevin Watts encapsulates that feeling with the lyric, “The first summer, everything is possible.” It was a magical time—brief, beautiful, and ultimately bittersweet as COVID surged once more, leaving permanent changes in its wake. The music scene as we knew it was forever changed.
Plenty & Shine is my favorite song on the record and it was also my favorite to record because it was, in some ways, the most difficult. We ended up using a lot of first vocal takes on the record, and when I got through Plenty & Shine, I had to take a deep breath and kind of compose myself because it really strikes a nerve in me. Then I heard the voice of Jake Shives–our awesome engineer at Tempermill–coming through the headphones, asking, “Oh. It’s one of those, huh?” Yep! – Kevin Watts
Plenty & Shine is a song about the relentless pace of time and the struggle to hold onto fleeting moments. As a parent, Kevin Watts feels time slipping through his fingers, watching his kids grow up in what feels like the blink of an eye. He longs to slow it all down, to savor every second, but life keeps speeding forward—a feeling that resonates deeply with many parents. The song’s energy perfectly mirrors this theme. My personal favorite moment comes when the drum groove picks up, the guitars lock into a driving riff, and the snare lands with heavy, urgent hits. The momentum builds, creating a sensation of racing against time itself. It’s a powerful, emotionally charged track that captures both the beauty and the bittersweet reality of watching life move too fast.
No Fraction is the most chaotic track on the record, and that chaos is what makes it so compelling. Drenched in heavy reverb and layered with vocal effects, the song unleashes a whirlwind of high-speed distorted guitar riffs and crashing drums. The relentless energy never lets up, making it the wildest moment on the EP. Lyrically, the song dives into the suffocating weight of unrealistic expectations in relationships and the feeling of being trapped inside them. As the closing track, No Fraction is a bold and defiant send off, fully embracing its hardcore punk roots and throwing contemporary music standards out the window. It’s raw, unfiltered, and completely unrestrained—the perfect way to end the record on an uncompromising note.
Although Plenty & Shine is probably the most meaningful to me lyrically, I am really proud of No Fraction. It’s a very difficult song to play, but Nick and Sean navigated all the changes and dynamics so well. And the guitar part is pretty intricate, and I was kind of dreading recording it. But I think we really knocked it out! – Kevin Watts
This EP is for anyone who craves raw, high-energy indie punk with a DIY spirit. Fans of Jawbreaker, The Hotelier, and early Against Me! will find plenty to love in its gritty guitars, anthemic choruses, and emotionally charged lyrics. If you’re drawn to music that blends melody with chaos, reflective storytelling with unfiltered punk aggression, or if you just miss the feeling of sweaty basement shows and cathartic sing alongs, Newborn Fossil is for you. It’s especially relatable for those navigating nostalgia, creative struggles, fleeting time, and post-pandemic energy shifts. Whether you’re a punk lifer or just looking for something fresh and visceral, this EP delivers.
Written by Ryan Cassata
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