If you’ve been anywhere near the pop punk side of the internet over the last decade, you’ll know that Hot Mulligan have quickly become one of the most beloved bands in the scene. From chaotic house shows and jokey song titles to selling out thousand-cap rooms, the Michigan five-piece have built their world on being self-aware, self-deprecating, and surprisingly sincered.
Now, they’re bringing that world back to Australia this April for a run of headline shows to show off their latest record, The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still, and the demand has been wild enough to warrant the addition of a second Melbourne show, with other states close to selling out.
I caught up with guitarist Ryan Malicsi and bassist Jonah Kramer fresh off their US tour run, which gave them a clear picture of how the record has resonated with fans.
“It was hard to tell when we first put it out, what the reception would be like… we only played like three record release day shows,” Ryan says. “We kind of had to sit on it for a month until the US tour happened. After that, I can confidently say that I feel like it’s been received really well… it just feels like another Hot Mulligan record but with the context of being a couple of years older and maybe wiser.”
“Everyone has their quick reaction, but once the album sits with people, you get to see how they truly feel.” Jonah adds.
Playing the record front to back on their US tour, they were able to get a gauge on which songs really landed with the audience. That balance between growth and staying unmistakable Hot Mully is what makes The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still hit. The band are known for their fun song titles and deeply introspective lyrics- a contrast that is entirely intentional.
“I think the song titles might be the silliest yet.” Jonah laughs. “Part of that is just to counterbalance the intensity of the songs and the lyrics and just bring a little bit of light to it.”
As for how the titles come about, Ryan offers, “‘Collaborative’ is one way to put it. Probably just whoever has the dumbest but catchiest idea at the time, it usually sticks.”
While there is a real emotional weight to the record, there was no grand conceptual masterplan going into it. “I don’t think we ever really have a goal in the studio besides just making songs that we like.” Ryan says. “Making a Hot Mulligan song doesn’t really come into play until we’re like, ‘Oh, we don’t have a single,’ or, ‘we’re obviously missing a part of the record’.”
For Jonah, this marked his first full-length studio album with the band, and his expectations were refreshingly loose. “My impression was just that we were going to write a bunch of songs and then the themes and direction of the album would form as the songs came along.”
That organic approach has translated into a record that feels cohesive without being contrived. It’s emotionally heavy and packed with moments that are designed to explode in a live setting- which is exactly what they plan on doing when they bring their tour to Australia this April.
“I’m excited to play the song “Monica Lewinskibidi” in front of any crowd in any country at all,” Ryan says when asked which tracks they really think will go off with a bang. “We got a great reaction to it in the US, and even as we were writing it we were like, ‘yeah this could be pretty cool.’. It seems to be a fan favourite right now, too.”
“”And A Big Load” is the most energetic response we get for any track on the new album”, Jonah says, “It’s had the most time to sit with people and it’s a pretty high energy track. I feel like that one will go off- any faster songs seem to get the Australian crowd going.”
Playing the songs live has also shifted how some of them feel personally, with Ryan admitting that there are tracks he initially underestimated. “”Let Me See Your Mounts” is one where when we were making it, I was like, ‘ok, that’s a fun track… I’m sure we won’t really play it much.’ And now it’s the song in the set where I’m like, ‘I’m gonna rip, here we go- time to go fast!’ Instead of dreading it.”
Jonah points to the opposite experience with the wonderfully complex “Slumdog Scungillionaire”. “That song is a lot more fun than I anticipated when we were recording it,” he says. “When we play it, I gotta lock in. If you miss one of the weird time signatures, then it throws everything off. That’s one where we all kind of sit back and stop the stage antics for a bit and make sure we’re doing out part.”
Somehow, the conversation deviated, as it tends to do, towards shoeys. “It used to be a Tades thing,” Ryan says, “Maybe we could get him to shoey a Vitamin Water or something. I would do it anytime if it’s a fresh pair of shoes, but it never is, is it?”
With a second Melbourne show locked in due to high demand, Aussie fans are more than ready to welcome Hot Mulligan back into the chaos. If their US run is anything to go by, we can expect a stacked set with loads of new tracks and some old favourites in there as well.
Older and maybe wiser? Sure. But thankfully, still very much Hot Mulligan.
Hot Mulligan – Australian Tour April 2026
Wednesday 21 April
170 Russell
Wednesday 22 April
The Forum, Melbourne 18+
Saturday 25 April
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane LIC AA
Sunday 26 April
The Roundhouse, Sydney LIC AA
Monday 27 April
The Gov, Adelaide LIC AA
Wednesday 29 April
Astor Theatre, Perth LIC AA
Shows are selling out fast, limited tickets still available HERE
