The Way of the Neutron – Mini-anthems for overwhelming and far too interesting times, defiant fight songs for those counted out or not counted at all. Still here. Still operating.
Spangle, and sass, small scale arena rock for smart alecks and malcontents. Big riffs, critical thinking, and big smart rock for freaks, nerds and weirdos. The latest work of the mighty Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends, Way of the Neutron (2025) is a mission statement of the most compelling order. Blending heavy riffs, huge hooks and harmony with relentless abandon. Telling the story of an ethos, a life of uncompromising music and the perseverance of the creative good fight in spite of overwhelming content and stimuli. It is not only the bands most accessible record, it stands alone as a case study for endurance. The very characteristic attitude is a part of Conan Neutron’s DNA. Talking about the first single off the upcoming long-play, Neutron states:
“Who Dares? Is a mission statement song. Most attributable to something a super villain would scream as a hero enters the room, this is a song about not just surviving but thriving often against insurmountable odds. One challenge at a time, one step at a time, one punch at time, one round at a time. Featuring a simple guitar hook and a relentless menacing main riff, it is a motivational soundtrack to dogged persistence. Who Dares? I’m the one who dares.”
About second single: “Sharks Keep Moving”:
| “Ah, the shark terror of the deep. A little known fact about them is most sharks must keep moving to ensure water flows over their gills for respiration. Otherwise they will perish. What better metaphor for creative resilience, as an an artist changes and evolves? It is a central theme of the record and the song and the band. Sound wise the Jaws like main riff ties the whole thing together. The verses evokes Gang of Four more than most Neutron Friends songs, but has a pleasantly surprising Desert Rock(tm) style bridge with a few choice phrases that tie into the ‘not just survive, but thrive’ mindset of the record.” |
The previous record is a split LP with the incredible LUNG called: Adult Prom on Learning Curve Records in 2023, This follows up 2022’s Dangerous Nomenclature. A three song concept ep and 2020’s Dark Passengers: their last dedicated full length release and 3rd full length album. After a relentless and creative 10 year run so far, with love from college radio, press and crowds alike. Neutron Friends show no sign of slowing down at all. Some people may be more familiar with the podcast, Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal , or the 4 Day Caterwaul music festival in Minneapolis but make no mistake about it. Neutron is a born rocker and very good at what he does and the Secret Friends in all iterations are a world class rock band.
Available now to pre-order, and to stream in full in bandcamp by March 20th. You can now find your way… to the Way of the Neutron.
1. Who Dares?
2. Sharks Keep Moving
3. A Villain of Circumstance
4. Exit Interview
5. Official Business
6. Relentless!
7. A Dream of Flight
8. Chekhov’s Grift
9. Integrity Wins Again
10. Bulletproof Tiger
11. The Burden of Dreams
12. The Way
Who Dares? on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube
BIO:
Conan Neutron is a guy, Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends is a band. It is a band with a revolving cast of live players. It is a band whose recordings featuring Dale Crover of the mighty Melvins on drums, Tony Ash of Coliseum on bass and the production skills of the iconoclastic and enigmatic Toshi Kasai. The Secret Friends bring forth a wiry and adventurous rock ‘n roll that is equal parts Cheap Trick, fugazi, Queens of the Stone Age, the Cars, and DEVO with perhaps Mean Streets era Van Halen mixed in. Big rock, big riffs, heavy, hooky, a little strange. You get it. This is big rock music that has all the bombast and energy of the classic arena rock bands, but with punk rock attitude.
With a bench deeper than a baseball team Conan Neutron, a rock ‘n roll lifer has spent the last 25 years making records and touring making uncompromising, sometimes challenging and daring rock music to anybody that is interested.
UPCOMING TOUR-DATES:
March 27th – Chicago, IL – Liar’s Club – w/Mr Phylzzz, Ghost Forest
March 28th – Kenosha, WI – White Lilac – w/Mr Phylzzz
March 29th – Madison, WI – Mickey’s – w/Mr Phylzzz, Dogsblood
March 30th – WILD ANTICS – X-Ray Arcade, Milwaukee, WI
Japanese leg:
April 1 – Nakano City, Tokyo – Moon Step
April 2 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Cyclone
April 3 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Ruby Room
April 4 – Hachioji-shi, Tokyo – Hachioji RIPS
April 5 – Fukuyama City, Hiroshima – 5 Cent
April 6 – Nanamacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City – Shizuoka live house Sogen
April 8 – Amagasaki, Hyogo – Tora
April 9 – Osaka – Hokage
April 10 – Tokushima City, Ginza – Crowbar
April 11 – Shibuya, Tokyo, Nishihara – Club Heavy Sick
April 12 – Kawasaki, Tokyo – Live House YYYs
All photos for Way of the Neutron by Ed Hunsinger
Great review of The Way of the Neutron here!
“Conan Neutron and his not so secret friends do a fantastic job of subverting the traditional Rock format with a multitude of musical touchpoints that keep the listener hooked throughout. Recommended.”
Sharks Keep Moving feature by Getting it Out Podcast:
With new album The Way of the Neutron on the horizon, CONAN NEUTRON & THE SECRET FRIENDS, have released “Sharks Keep Moving,” the record’s second single. Not only will Seismic Wave Entertainment release the new twelve track effort on March 20th, the band will immediately go on tour, including an eleven date run in Japan. Check below for the song, pre-order information, and tour dates.