Ascending alternative-rock band know better than most how to exist on the fringes in creative terms. A real DIY ethos is never far from their young minds; it underpins their story.
Emerging out of garages, playing in the backyards of their hometown Culver City in the West LA area of California, the teenagers are accustomed to rough stages, and seem slightly uncomfortable in a large, more commercial music space.
In the live setting the band continue to stretch themselves, however. Their debut at Reading and Leeds Festival is closely followed by UK and US tours, making 2026 one of many highs.
Clash meets singer/guitarist Danny Meza, guitarist James HIadek, Juan Kuschevatzky, who plays the bass, and drummer Lorenzo Kemp Galvez, backstage at Reading Festival.
What Untitled do not have in years, they double up on when it comes to real time playing, sessions during which they perform in unusual places. Rusty, dimly lit garages and gritty backyards are just a couple of examples.
Where there is a will there is a way, and they have it. Far from going it alone, they are from an entire scene, it’s a driven, very genuine, culture of bands and artists who hone their skills in the authentic environment.
“It’s really fun, it’s insane,” enthuses Danny. “I don’t understand how we got here. I’m really grateful, though.” With an urge to breathe fresh air into grunge, reviving the genre, they add their own, unique stamp. Released last year, their mesmerising single ‘Restless’ sky-rocketed the band’s path to overnight fame when it went viral on TikTok. It was something they did see coming, an event they still perceive as a bit of a pinch-me moment.
With viral success comes more pressure, which James sees it as a positive. “It’s all too fast, but the pressure has helped us get a lot done.” Juan agrees, “We’re professional procrastinators. Having deadlines has helped us get stuff over the line.”
Influences stretch across the most iconic artists and bands in punk and alternative, past and present. They include bands such as The Germs, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alex G, Green Day, Weezer, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead. A flawless list of bands that are reflected in Untitled’s own song material. “I think we all pull from different directions,” James offers. “We all have a library of influences in the back of our minds. We all have, every one of us, has a different set of qualities to offer.”
With a debut album on the way there is enough to look forward to. Getting to this stage is a huge step forward in a journey that has only just begun. The songwriting process is one of collaboration and flexibility, one that allows voices to be heard and imagination to flourish.
To envision a full album, when the recorded music was made the week before, represented its own set of challenges. But working with mix-engineer Chris Lord-Alge, Jakob Nowell and Zane Vandevort kept them on track. Danny is aware just how much they learned in a short, intense period of time.
If confidence was not ingrained in them, at the start, it soon became a basic ingredient. Lorenzo recalls feeling very green upon arrival at Chris’s studio, the band had to learn as they went along.
“It felt like we were completely out of our depth, but it was definitely a sink or swim environment. So, either we had to get it together, and get the songs done, or get kicked out. Chris always made us feel comfortable, though.”
“I feel like both good and bad has come from having to rush and finish the album in such short time,” Danny considers, “But we wouldn’t exchange that experience for anything. This is our dream, and we want to do this for the rest of our lives.”
The way Juan sees it, there is no time to feel unsure of the shared creative vision for the band. “I want to inspire people. Art is about standing up for yourself and what you believe in.”
Untitled already do that and more. A band with a future that shines brightly, they prove they have what it takes to go much, much further. They are ready to take that leap of faith.