Wot Gorilla?

Wot Gorilla?

Wot Gorilla? are a four-piece band from Halifax, England, who combine math rock, progressive rock, pop and emo elements with heavy melodic breakdowns. Formed in 2009, the group builds songs around complex structures, unusual time signatures and Mat Haigh’s distinctive vocals. Their name comes from a track on Genesis’s 1976 album Wind & Wuthering.

Style and sound

The band’s music sits between technical, intricate playing and accessible hooks. Their performances are known for their energy and unpredictability, with a strong emphasis on tightly worked rhythms, detailed guitar parts and melodic passages. Their writing draws on progressive pop and rock influences from both earlier and later eras, while remaining rooted in contemporary rock.

Line-up

Wot Gorilla? consist of Mat Haigh on vocals and guitar, Jonny Hey on bass and backing vocals, Ben Farnell on guitar, and Si Marks on drums.

Releases

The band releases a series of EPs and singles, including a self-titled debut EP, New Arrival, and the single is. Their debut album Kebnekaise is described as a fuller, more technical record, with the lead track Snow White and its accompanying video at the centre of the release. The album is produced by James Kenosha, who has worked with Pulled Apart by Horses, Marmozets and Lone Wolf, and its artwork is by Swedish cut-and-paste artist Kristian Ingers.

Live appearances and reception

Wot Gorilla? share stages with acts including Tubelord, Tera Melos, Cursive and The Get Up Kids, and they appear at festivals across the UK, including Reading and Leeds. Their recordings receive praise for balancing melody with technical complexity, and for developing a sound that is intricate without losing clear song structure.