Survival Knife

Olympia, Washington rock outfit Survival Knife came together in 2011, assembled by Justin Trosper and Brandt Sandeno—both originators of the angular punk force Unwound from the 1990s—alongside bassist Meg Cunningham and drummer Kris Cunningham, formerly of Western Hymn. The four-piece infused their attack with greater muscularity and metallic weight than anything in their earlier indie work and quickly began performing in the area. Initial releases appeared as 7"s issued by the storied Pacific Northwestern independents Kill Rock Stars and Sub Pop during 2013, after which the group delivered the full-length Loose Power in 2014. They maintained a regional touring schedule and also opened for Modest Mouse on the West Coast portion of a national run that April.