Experimental punk duo The Garden have released their highly anticipated new album, Bootleg, via Epitaph, marking the band’s return to the iconic independent label. Comprised of twin brothers Wyatt Shears and Fletcher Shears, the 14-track record expands on the duo’s signature genre-defying sound while delivering some of their most visceral and adventurous work to date.
Bootleg features the previously released singles “Eve of Nothing,” “5 Mile Ponytail,” and “Ugly,” each offering an early glimpse into an album fueled by unpredictable arrangements, abrasive textures, and fearless experimentation. Recorded in Los Angeles and self-produced by Wyatt and Fletcher, the project showcases the pair’s unmistakable blend of eclectic instrumentation, raw production, and boundary-pushing songwriting. Physical editions of Bootleg on vinyl and CD will be available for pre-order soon ahead of their October 23 release.
In support of the album, The Garden will embark on their Bootleg Tour, a 19-date North American headline run beginning this September. The tour will include stops in their hometown of Los Angeles, as well as Atlanta, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and several additional cities. Select dates will feature support from bar italia, Thaiboy Digital, Ghost Mountain, and her new knife. Before launching their own headline run, the duo will also join The Strokes for select West Coast performances this August.
Bootleg follows The Garden’s acclaimed 2022 album, HORSESHIT ON ROUTE 66, which featured standout tracks including “Freight Yard” and “Chainsaw the Door,” as well as their 2024 EP, Six Desperate Ballads, highlighted by the single “Ballet.” Earlier this year, the band completed a sold-out series of headline performances across the West Coast, including a hometown show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, which was documented by The Cobra Snake for Alternative Press.
Since forming in 2011, Wyatt Shears and Fletcher Shears have built one of alternative music’s most distinctive identities. Beginning with the stripped-down foundation of bass guitar and drums, the duo developed an unmistakable sound that blends infectious basslines, aggressive percussion, eerie electronic textures, and an uncompromising experimental spirit. Rather than fitting within established genres, they coined the term Vada Vada to describe their entirely self-defined creative philosophy.
That commitment to originality extends beyond their music. The Garden have cultivated a visual aesthetic inspired by the paranormal, combining haunted imagery, surrealism, and arthouse influences with an irreverent sense of humor. Their live performances have become equally renowned, balancing controlled chaos with technical precision and infectious energy while attracting a passionate global fanbase that spans underground music communities and longtime alternative music fans alike.
Outside of the band, both brothers continue to explore their own artistic identities through solo projects. Fletcher Shears records electronic music under the name Puzzle, while Wyatt Shears channels his creative vision into Enjoy, a project rooted in rock ‘n’ roll and indie punk influences.
With Bootleg, The Garden continue to push the limits of experimental punk while remaining true to the fearless creativity that has defined their career. Combining abrasive production, inventive songwriting, and the unmistakable spirit of Vada Vada, the album reinforces the duo’s reputation as one of alternative music’s most original and uncompromising acts.
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