Hailing from South East London, the dynamic ensemble Hypnogator is making waves with their latest high-octane single, ‘Little Jonny’, a thrilling fusion of heavy-rock and psychedelic-prog to create a unique, fun and ultimately explosive experience.
Produced by the band’s own drummer, Liam Gunning, whose credits include work with artists like Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Paris Paloma, ‘Little Jonny’ showcases the raw intensity of Hypnogator’s live sound. The track bursts to life with a grinding heavy guitar riff adorned with soaring runs and squealing harmonics, setting the stage for a musical journey that grips from the very first note. As the song progresses, the driving drums and deep bass lock into a tight groove, while the fuzzy guitar backing provides the perfect backdrop for the soaring, melodic lead vocal.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind ‘Little Jonny’, the band shares, “This song’s a story about a time in Amsterdam when the band were being led on a bar crawl by a ‘professional party-goer’ called Jonny. He continually lied, tried to cheat us out of money, tried to scam us, and kept trying to strip off in public. Then, when we wanted to leave, he followed us begging us not to leave a bad review. He was 5’2″ – we all know a Little Jonny.”
Describing their music as a “journey through the Cosmic Swamp,” Hypnogator offers a sprawling garage-rock-come-psychedelic sound that defies easy categorization. Formed during the end of lockdown, the band draws from a diverse array of influences, blending heavy modern rock guitar lines with old-school Led Zeppelin-esque flourishes, and splashes of psychedelia, jazz, and funk. The result is a hypnotic and complex yet undeniably fun sound that has quickly earned them a reputation on London’s rock scene.
With packed-out shows at venues like Camden Assembly and O2 Academy Islington, Hypnogator is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, captivating audiences with their electrifying performances and boundary-pushing sound. With ‘Little Jonny’, they invite listeners on a wild musical ride that promises to leave them craving more.
Listen below: