Flat Worms

Flat Worms

Flat Worms are a West Coast garage punk trio formed by singer and guitarist Will Ivy. The group brings together Ivy, bassist Tim Hellman and drummer Justin Sullivan, and their sound draws on post-punk, heavy punk, doom punk, garage rock and psychedelic rock, with choppy guitar lines, feedback, distortion and strong rhythmic drive.

Formation and members

Will Ivy previously plays in Bridez, Wet Illustrated and Dream Boys. He begins Flat Worms while working on his solo album Scrap Plastic and, after listening to older Swell Maps records, decides to make noisy, frantic rock and roll. He recruits Tim Hellman, who has played with Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees and Sic Alps, and Justin Sullivan, who has also drummed for the Babies and Kevin Morby. The band forms as a trio and quickly starts recording.

Releases

Flat Worms’ first release is the three-song 7-inch Red Hot Sand, issued in April 2016. Their self-titled debut album follows on Castle Face Records in 2017. In 2019 they release the six-song EP Into the Iris, recorded by Ty Segall. Their second full-length album, Antarctica, arrives in 2020 and is recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago.

Style and activity

The band is known for a lo-fi, abrasive approach that combines punk energy with indie rock precision. Across their releases, the group moves from rough-edged chaos toward a more controlled sound while keeping the force of their earlier work. After the debut album, they tour in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.