Slothrust (pronounced "sloth-rust"', IPA: [ˈslɔθ.ɹʌst]) is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2010.
Background Slothrust consists of Leah Wellbaum (vocals, guitar) and Will Gorin (drums). Wellbaum and Gorin first began collaborating as students at Sarah Lawrence College. After performing in various school groups, the two joined to create music with a "heavier" sound.
The name Slothrust came together as a combination of Wellbaum's former project "Slothbox" and "rust" to signify time passing.
2012–2013: Feels Your Pain The band released their debut album Feels Your Pain, featuring their lead single "7:30 AM". The track was later featured as the opening theme song for FX's television series You're the Worst.
In November, Slothrust collaborated with Wreckroom Records to record a cover of the Turtles' "Happy Together".
2014–2015: Of Course You Do On February 18, 2014, Slothrust released their second album Of Course You Do through Ba Da Bing.
2016–2017: Everyone Else On July 7, 2016, it was announced that Slothrust were signing to Dangerbird Records.
The band premiered several tracks that lead to the release of their third full-length album, Everyone Else. The first single, "Horseshoe Crab", premiered via Noisey on August 10, 2016, was explained as "a dark narrative about love, loss, growing up, depression, and existential anxiety". Slothrust later shared "Like a Child Hiding Behind Your Tombstone", and "Horseshoe Crab".
Everyone Else debuted on October 28, 2016. The record was described as less angry and closely relating to dreams and the water, "Of Course You Do, as well as the one before that, Feels Your Pain, are a bit angrier. When you write songs earlier in your life—depending on where you’re at—the likelihood of them being angsty is higher," Wellbaum explained to Out Magazine, "This record I don’t think is angry in the same way. It asks more questions...[Everyone Else] has space for interpretation and for questions. And the new record deals very specifically with water and dreams in a way that the first two did not."
Kicking off the release of Everyone Else, the band announced a tour with rock band Highly Suspect in the fall of 2016. Additionally, the band celebrated the new album with a sold-out headline show at Brooklyn's Rough Trade music store/venue on November 1. The band performed Everyone Else in its entirety, in addition to various fan favorites such as "7:30 AM", "Crockpot" and "Homewreck Wifey".
The band spent the majority of 2017 touring, including US headline tours in March, July and August. The band also performed at Chicago's Lollapalooza. On August 3, 2017, it was announced that Slothrust would be touring the UK in the fall with the band Manchester Orchestra.
On August 8, 2017, Slothrust premiered a B-side track titled "Milking the Snake", via DIY.
2018–present: The Pact After months of recording early in the year, The Pact was released on September 14, 2018. On release day, the band kicked off a two-month long tour to promote the album. Videos were released for the tracks '"Peach" and "Double Down". In February 2021 Big Mother Gig released "The Underdog", a song featuring vocals from Leah Wellbaum.
April 2021 the band released fifth studio album, Parallel Timeline, by Dangerbird Records on September 10, 2021. The songs "Cranium", "Strange Astrology", and "The Next Curse" were released ahead of the album.
On August 7, 2021, two screen captures of a police report from the Columbus Division of Police were posted on image hosting site Imgur which detail a rape allegation against Kyle Bann. On August 13, the band announced that they were aware of "the current allegation against our previous bassist Kyle," and that he is no longer a part of Slothrust. On September 1, they announced that they would be touring with bassist Brooks Allison.
On October 20, 2023, Slothrust released the EP I Promise, in conjunction with announcing a tour promoting the upcoming ten-year anniversary of their 2014 album Of Course You Do.
For Slothrust's tour in support of their sixth album What They Grow in the Garden (2026), the band expanded into a four-piece with James Downes on bass, joined by Lilah Larson, who also tours with Bambara.
Band members Current Leah Wellbaum – lead vocals; guitar (2010–present) Will Gorin – drums, percussion (2010–present) James Downes – bass (touring 2026–present) Lilah Larson – guitar (touring 2026–present) Former Kyle Bann - bass (2010–2021) Brooks Allison – bass (touring 2021–2022) Annie Hoffman – bass (touring 2022–2026)
Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions USHeat USIndie Feels Your PainReleased: May 24, 2012 Label: Ba Da Bing Records Formats: CD, Digital Download — — Of Course You DoReleased: February 18, 2014 Labels: Ba Da Bing Records, Burger Records Formats: CD, Digital Download — — Everyone ElseReleased: October 28, 2016 Label: Dangerbird Records Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl — — The PactReleased: September 14, 2018 Label: Dangerbird Records Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl 11 38 Parallel TimelineReleased: September 10, 2021 Label: Dangerbird Records Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl — — What They Grow in the GardenReleased: September 18, 2026 Label: Equal Vision Records Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl — — "—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released
EPs TitleAlbum detailsThe Demo(n)sReleased: June 1, 2010 Label: Self-releasedShow Me How You Want It to BeReleased: November 10, 2017 Label: Dangerbird RecordsPeachReleased: October 25, 2019 Label: Dangerbird RecordsI PromiseReleased: October 20, 2023 Label: Dangerbird Records
Singles Title Peak Chart Positions Album Details USMain.Rock"In a Sexual Way" —Released: May 29, 2012 Label: Wreckroom"Happy Together" —Released: November 20, 2012 Label: Wreckroom"7:30 AM" —Released: April 28, 2013 Label: Ba Da Bing Records / Wreckroom"No Eye Candy" —Released: April 8, 2014 Label: Ba Da Bing Records"Electric Funeral" —Released: April 22, 2014 Label: Wreckroom"Horseshoe Crab" —Released: August 10, 2016 Label: Dangerbird Records"Milking the Snake" —Released: August 8, 2017 Label: Dangerbird Records"Planetarium" —Released: August 31, 2018 Label: Dangerbird Records"Double Down" —Released: January 9, 2019 Label: Dangerbird Records"Cranium" —Released: February 24, 2021 Label: Dangerbird Records"Strange Astrology" —Released: April 16, 2021 Label: Dangerbird Records"Waiting" —Released: September 10, 2021 Label: Dangerbird Records"Pony" 37Released: September 13, 2023 Label: Dangerbird Records"Wildcard"— Released: August 8, 2025 Label: Self-Released
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