HotWax Ignite with Debut Album ‘Hot Shock’ and UK/EU Tour
The wait is over—HotWax have arrived. The Hastings trio unleash their blistering debut album, Hot Shock, out today via Marathon Artists. Following two acclaimed EPs, a relentless tour schedule, and a string of high-profile cosigns, HotWax’s first full-length is a raw, electrifying statement of intent.
The album, produced by Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, Boygenius) and Steph Marziano (Cassandra Jenkins), captures the sheer energy of the band’s notorious live performances. Recorded partly at London’s legendary RAK Studios and in Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa’s Joshua Tree studio, Hot Shock is built for the stage—loud, fearless, and packed with anthems.
“Touring and constantly living in the moment can be chaotic. But there’s also a feeling of knowing that the more life experience we gain, the more fearless we become.” — Lola Sam
Watch the New Video for ‘Strange To Be Here’
To mark the album’s release, HotWax have dropped a brand-new video for Strange To Be Here, directed by frontwoman Tallulah Sim-Savage. The track brims with anthemic intensity, showcasing the band’s signature mix of grunge, punk, and alt-rock swagger.
Rough Trade’s Album of the Month + Limited Edition Vinyl
Hot Shock has already been named Rough Trade’s Album of the Month, and fans can get their hands on three special vinyl pressings—each inspired by a band member’s hair. ‘The Tallulah’ comes in black with a blonde stripe, ‘The Alfie’ in gold, and a Rough Trade-exclusive ‘The Lola’ in bright orange.
On the Road: UK & EU Tour Dates
HotWax are currently tearing through a run of intimate in-store shows before launching into a full UK and European tour. Their live reputation is already cemented, with over 200 shows in the past 18 months—including festival slots at Reading & Leeds, Download, and Mad Cool, plus tours with Royal Blood, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, and Deap Vally.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
UK Instore Dates:
- March 7 – Resident, Brighton
- March 8 – Rough Trade Nottingham (Midday)
- March 8 – Rough Trade Liverpool (Evening)
- March 9 – Rough Trade, Bristol
- March 10 – Vinyl Whistle, Leeds
- March 11 – Rough Trade East, London
- March 12 – Vinilo, Southampton
- March 13 – Truck, Oxford
UK & EU Tour:
- March 20 – Trix (Bar), Antwerp
- March 22 – EKKO, Utrecht
- March 24 – MTC, Cologne
- March 25 – Urban Spree (Rough Trade), Berlin
- March 26 – Hafenklang, Hamburg
- March 28 – Where Else?, Margate
- March 30 – Forum, Tunbridge Wells
- March 31 – Face Bar, Reading
- April 1 – Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
- April 3 – Polar Bear, Hull
- April 4 – Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow (Random Rules)
- April 5 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh (Random Rules)
- April 6 – The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-On-Tees
- April 7 – Kanteena, Lancaster
- April 9 – DeadWax, Birmingham
- April 10 – Bunkhouse, Swansea
- April 11 – Burdall’s Yard, Bath
- May 31 – Temple Newsam Park, Leeds (w/ Kaiser Chiefs & The Cribs)
With Hot Shock, HotWax prove that their ascent is just beginning. From DIY gigs to festival mainstages, they’re already one of the UK’s most essential rock bands.
“A blistering debut from future rock titans” – NME, 5/5
“HotWax have created a debut album brimming with swagger and potential for even bigger and better things in the future” – DORK, 4/5
“A thrilling dose of anarchic alt-rock” – CLASH, 7/10
“HotWax breath new life into retro sounds on Hot Shock” – The Line Of Best Fit, 7/10
“HotWax is one of the most exciting rock outfits in modern music, and they prove as much on
this album” – Far Out, 4/5
“Hot Shock is as powerful as it is passionate” – London Standard
