Lonely Bunker

Lonely Bunker is a four-piece band where beeps, boops and power chords collide: chiptune hooks welded to distorted guitars, with choruses aimed at the back of the room. It began as the solo project of Jay Stewart, singer and guitarist for skate-punk veterans Symphony of Distraction, and has since grown into a full live band over the four volumes of the 7 Songs series. 7 Songs Vol 4 is out now.

Lonely Bunker started as the solo project of Jay Stewart, best known as the lead singer and guitar player for skate-punk veterans Symphony of Distraction, and formerly SecondShot. With those bands he toured four continents, took the title of Best Bay Area Band from San Francisco's Live 105, and shared stages with The Offspring, Rancid, Jane's Addiction, Iggy Pop and Alkaline Trio. He then spent five years studying jazz piano in New York City.

The project began by ditching the guitar entirely. Daytime Lullaby reworked songs from Jay's earlier bands as piano and vocal pieces; 7 Songs Vol 1 followed with all originals. Across four volumes since, the keys picked up distortion and the punk roots came back louder — the synths turned 8-bit, the guitars came off the shelf, and Lonely Bunker became a band rather than a solo record.

Along the way the covers found their own audience: Cutting Crew heard the Lonely Bunker take on "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" and called it "A great cover!" Today the band plays as a four-piece, running backing tracks and click alongside two guitars, bass, drums and three-part vocals.