Ax and the Hatchetmen Just Dropped “Loser” and It’s a Total Earworm

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Chicago indie scene, you already know Ax and the Hatchetmen don’t miss. They’ve been building a massive following over the last few years with that infectious, horn-heavy rock sound that feels like a party in the best way possible.

Well, the wait is over—the band just released their latest single, “Loser” and it’s officially moved to the top of my summer rotation.

Why “Loser” Hits Different

We’ve all had those moments where we just can’t seem to get our act together. That’s exactly the energy this song taps into.

“Loser” is essentially a love letter to being a bit of a mess. It’s got that self-deprecating, “I know I’m making bad choices but here we are” vibe that makes for some of the best indie rock. Whether they’re singing about lingering at the bar way too long or just generally chaos-managing their own lives, it’s brutally relatable.

Musically, it’s everything we love about the band. You get those crunchy, driving guitar riffs mixed with the tight, punchy horn lines that give them such a distinct sound. Produced by Jake Sinclair, the track has a massive, polished feel that’s still got plenty of grit. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it’s arguably one of their catchiest tracks yet.

The Band to Watch

If you’re new to the cult of Ax and the Hatchetmen, here’s a quick primer. They started in Chicago back in 2018 and have been on a non-stop upward trajectory ever since. The lineup is stacked with talent:

• Axel Ellis (Vocals/Guitar)

• Sal Defilippis (Guitar)

• Hunter Olshefke (Bass)

• Phil Pistone (Trumpet)

• Quinn Dolan (Saxophone)

• Chaandmon Croft (Drums)

They’ve got this cool, jazz-school-meets-garage-rock energy that has already landed them on massive festival stages like Bonnaroo. It’s rare to find a band that feels this big, yet still feels like they’re playing in your friend’s basement.

Catch the Show

If you’re digging “Loser,” you need to see them play it live. They are currently out on the road supporting Royel Otis through July—if you can snag tickets to the Chicago or Brooklyn shows, do it.

If you miss out on those, don’t worry. They’re kicking off their own headlining tour, “The Late Checkout Tour,” this October. They’ll be zig-zagging across the country from Indianapolis all the way down to Miami.

Pro-tip: Check their official site now. Things are moving fast, and these shows are definitely going to sell out.