Singles Spotlight:
Stunt Drummer –
“Chinese Windows”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

Ready to learn about another artist making great music? Today I’m excited to discuss Stunt Drummer.  Why Stunt Drummer? The intriguing name was inspired by the band’s rotation of drummers early on in its existence. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the noise-garage punks just released their sophomore album Warm Up, Tiger this past Friday, April 17, 2026, via Cavity Search Records. The band is comprised of Marty Buckenmeyer (guitar/vocals), Erik Becker (guitar/vocals), Ethan Schee (bass), and J Leaver (drums), and they released their self-titled debut album three years ago to the day of this posting, in 2023.

I first heard about Stunt Drummer when I received a press release about Warm Up, Tiger. It’s common practice for a release to list similar bands to set the expectation, and this release listed five. To me, my eyes instantly focused on Fugazi. Even though I’ve never seen them live, I’ve got a soft spot for the 80’s and ’90s post-hardcore legends. Whether it would be for Ian MacKaye’s mindset, musicianship, the band’s DIY ethos, or the band’s significant lasting impact on various scenes, to name a few reasons. Years ago, when I first started listening to Fugazi and delved deeper into its other band members, Guy Picciotto, Joe Lally, Brendan Canty, and also the hardcore legends Minor Threat, it led to other bands like Rites of Spring, which left its own lasting impact. Whether you’re a fan or musician, it’s one of the great joys of music to jump in and discover music that may be new to you and old to others, but the music remains always truly amazing, regardless of age.

Back to the press release, it also listed The Jesus Lizard, Drive Like Jehu, Pissed Jeans, and Unwound. All are considered significant acts in the noise rock and/or post-hardcore scene. These musicians combined skillful musicianship with melodies that blended ferocious speed with poignant lyrics and vocals. Sometimes abrasive, sometimes propulsive, sometimes groove-tastic or unique song structures. Often, creating and performing this type of music is as cathartic for the musicians as reciting the lyrics at their shows. Consider me intrigued.

The release went on to say, “Following their raw 2023 self-titled debut, Warm Up, Tiger captures the band at their most feral, focused, and experimental. Across nine tracks, Stunt Drummer bounce between blistering, in-your-face punk and hypnotic, noise-drenched grooves – music born from happy accidents, blown-out practice rooms, and the kind of chaotic chemistry you can’t fake. Recorded live in a small room with minimal overdubs, the record preserves the volatility and sweat of the band’s notoriously unhinged shows.” Another soft spot discovered. Sold. I knew then that I had to listen to this album and find a song to shed some light on for our Singles Spotlight series. It took a while, and a few listens, as I really like all of the songs on this album. Get it. Especially if you’re a noise rocker, garage punk, or hardcore fan. But even if you’re not.

But one that stood out to me as the most complete, and to me the best song on the album, was “Chinese Windows.” In an interview with It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine, guitarist and vocalist Marty Buckenmeyer said of the song, “‘Chinese Windows’ started with a text I sent Erik: ‘Chinese windows. They don’t fit like they used to, but Peter’s on top of his game.’ In our day jobs, we both work in architecture, so we’re constantly texting each other about projects, questions, and whatnot. I’d been dealing with a new house that was using windows from an unfamiliar company in China, and most of my communication was happening over WhatsApp with their rep, a very kind and patient guy named Peter.’ Even so, something about coordinating a critical piece of the build with a stranger halfway around the world set off all my worst-case-scenario instincts. A couple days after that text, the band started jamming on a riff built around the line, and the song basically wrote itself. Like a lot of the tracks on the new album, it grew over several weeks of practices, shared phone recordings, and the usual back-and-forth. Some riffs die in the basement, but this one kept getting better…”

The opening riff takes me back to some of my favorite 80s hardcore and punk songs while retaining its individuality. It’s gorgeous. The melody as a whole flows beautifully, and the vocals are in your face without pushing you away. Kudos to the entire band on this song for turning the original story into a fully realized, well-crafted song that stands out amongst nine other ones on the album. The entire listening experience leaves you wanting more. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Stunt Drummer and the album.

Hit play and check out the song “Chinese Windows” for yourself.

The cover art for the album Warm Up, Tiger:

The track list for Warm Up, Tiger:

1. Pool (1:50)
2. Chinese Windows (3:45)
3. Warm Up (2:04)
4. Voodoo (5:50)
5. Vortex (3:17)
6. Paul, the Pear Farmer (3:02)
7. Switch (2:30)
8. White Tiger (3:02)
9. Dress (5:30)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com