The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis announce new album & tour, share “Gestations”

The Messthetics (the jazz trio featuring Fugazi‘s rhythm section of Joe Lally and Brendan Canty, plus guitarist Anthony Pirog) and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis have announced another collaborative album, following their excellent self-titled collab LP from 2024. The new LP is called Deface The Currency, and it drops February 20 via Impulse! Records (pre-order). On first single “Gestations,” they’re picking right up where the 2024 LP left off. It’s a punk-jazz fusion led by James Brandon Lewis’ expressive skronk and Anthony Pirog’s meaty riffs, held down by a rhythm section that isn’t too far removed from Joe Lally and Brendan Canty’s most famous band. Check out the song and its video (directed by Brendan Canty and Robin Bell) below.

The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis will also be touring together this spring. Things kick off on April 17 in Portland, OR and they wrap up in the Northeast, including a NYC show on May 6 at Le Poisson Rouge. Tickets are on sale now. All dates are listed below.

Tracklist
1. Deface The Currency
2. Gestations
3. 30 Years Of Knowing
4. Rules Of The Game
5. Universal Security
6. Clutch
7. Serpent Tongue (Slight Return)

The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis — 2026 Tour Dates
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 — PORTLAND, OR @ STAR THEATER
SATURDAY, APRIL 18 — SEATTLE, WA @ CLOCK-OUT LOUNGE
SUNDAY, APRIL 19 — VANCOUVER, BC @ WISE HALL
SATURDAY, APRIL 25 — RALEIGH, NC @ KINGS
SUNDAY, APRIL 26 — ASHEVILLE, NC @ AYURPRANA LISTENING ROOM
MONDAY, APRIL 27 — ATLANTA, GA @ THE EARL
TUESDAY, APRIL 28 — LEXINGTON, KY @ SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 — CHICAGO, IL @ CONSTELLATION
FRIDAY, MAY 1 — DETROIT, MI @ THIRD MAN RECORDS
SATURDAY, MAY 2 — TORONTO, ON @ 918 BATHURST
SUNDAY, MAY 3 — ERIE, PA @ CENTENNIAL HALL
MONDAY, MAY 4 — KINGSTON, NY @ TUBBY’S
TUESDAY, MAY 5 — BOSTON, MA @ CITY WINERY BOSTON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 — NEW YORK, NY @ LE POISSON ROUGE
THURSDAY, MAY 7 — PITTSBURGH, PA @ PITTSBURGH JAZZ & POETRY FESTIVAL
FRIDAY, MAY 8 — PHILADELPHIA, PA @ SOLAR MYTH
SATURDAY, MAY 9 — WASHINGTON, DC @ THE BLACK CAT