U.K. band the Wild Things have enlisted the help of Kiss’ Tommy Thayer, Trixie Mattel, and their longtime rock and roll godfather Pete Townshend, for a new EP, Friends With Benefits, out April 26 via PEG Records.
A full track list for the collaborative project hasn’t been released yet, but it’ll feature a new song, “Breaking Madonna,” written and recorded with Thayer after he and the Wild Things met on the 2022 Kiss Kruise. It’ll also include one of the Wild Things’ previously-released singles with Townshend, “Only Attraction”; their recent rendition of Mattel’s “Red Side of the Moon” with the musician/drag queen; and the band’s cover of ABBA’s “Does Your Mother Know.”
In a statement, the Wild Things’ collaborators had nothing but praise for the band. Thayer said Friends With Benefit “shows off the true magic of rock n roll,” while Mattel revealed how struck she was when she first heard the band cover “Red Side of the Moon”: “I always imagined it being sung by a woman, so I basically forced them to record it. So happy this song has a second life.”
And Townshend was effusive as ever, saying, “I love the Wild Things. Their songs are great, their performances strong. The dedication and work-ethic is supreme but they always seem to be having fun. ‘Only Attraction’ is so damned good.”
To celebrate the release of Friends With Benefits, the Wild Things have a special Los Angeles takeover in the works. On April 27, they’ll perform at a surprise location with Thayer, after which they’ll deliver a full concert at the Bourbon Room. Fans can RSVP for free tickets to the Bourbon Room show now.
“This EP is a celebration of us working with some of the greatest musicians — and friends — we know,” the Wild Things said. “It’s also a great reason to name drop at parties. We can’t wait to finally show it off live in all its glory on the 27th, and introduce LA to a true the Wild Things extravaganza.”
The Wild Things formed after lead singer Sydney Rae White and guitarist Rob Kendrick met in a touring production of a musical adaptation of the Who’s Quadrophenia. The pair linked up with White’s brother Cam (bass, producer) and their friend Pete Wheeler (drums) to form the band (White and Kendrick also fell in love and got married along the way). Townshend became an early supporter and mentor, even inviting the Wild Things to make their U.S. debut opening for the Who at Madison Square Garden in 2022.
The Wild Things released their debut album, You’re Really Something, in 2018, and since then, they’ve dropped a steady stream of singles. They’ve also spent the past few years working on their second LP, Afterglow, which Townshend co-produced, though there’s still no official release date yet.
