Biography
The Muslims stand out as a daring punk rock threesome unafraid to express their views while reveling in the experience, consisting of queer Black and Brown musicians committed to confronting racism, sexism, and fascism on every occasion. Their music delivers direct, rapid, and high-volume punk that remains basic yet anthem-like, occasionally incorporating reggae and funk elements for added depth. Although their themes come across as direct and genuine, the words carry biting wit, and their live shows radiate an uplifting spirit along with a celebration of exuberance. The group first appeared in unpolished, low-fidelity style on their self-titled 2018 debut, gained greater assurance and clarity on 2019’s Mayo Supreme, and reached wider listeners via their initial Epitaph release, 2021’s Fuck These Fuckin Fascists.
Originating in Durham, North Carolina, the Muslims came together in 2017 explicitly in response to Donald Trump’s presidential victory. The lineup includes QADR handling lead vocals and guitar, Abu Shea on bass, and Ba7Ba7 (aka Farah Bahbah) on drums, with each member being Muslim and identifying as queer. They began with a performance in a friend’s backyard, swiftly building a strong regional following before self-releasing their 2018 debut, whose impact and cleverness compensated for its modest recording quality. Though the Muslims quickly became a divisive subject within online punk circles, backers exceeded critics, leading them to partner with the independent Don’t Panic label for their second album, 2019’s Mayo Supreme. The following year they put out the ten-song, 20-minute Gentrified Chicken while maintaining an active schedule of touring and recording, emerging as recognized figures in BIPOC and queer punk scenes.
During an online discussion where conservative punks criticized the band, the Muslims received contact from an unanticipated ally—Epitaph Records, America’s largest and most established punk imprint. Epitaph’s team expressed admiration and extended a contract offer, and although the Muslims felt initial reluctance owing to the label’s heavy representation of white male artists, the chance to amplify their message to broader audiences prevailed, prompting them to accept. Their Epitaph debut arrived with 2021’s Fuck These Fuckin Fascists in November 2021; its artwork depicted a figure resembling John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) taking a punch to the face, created in response to a widely circulated image of Lydon in “Make America Great Again” attire.
Originating in Durham, North Carolina, the Muslims came together in 2017 explicitly in response to Donald Trump’s presidential victory. The lineup includes QADR handling lead vocals and guitar, Abu Shea on bass, and Ba7Ba7 (aka Farah Bahbah) on drums, with each member being Muslim and identifying as queer. They began with a performance in a friend’s backyard, swiftly building a strong regional following before self-releasing their 2018 debut, whose impact and cleverness compensated for its modest recording quality. Though the Muslims quickly became a divisive subject within online punk circles, backers exceeded critics, leading them to partner with the independent Don’t Panic label for their second album, 2019’s Mayo Supreme. The following year they put out the ten-song, 20-minute Gentrified Chicken while maintaining an active schedule of touring and recording, emerging as recognized figures in BIPOC and queer punk scenes.
During an online discussion where conservative punks criticized the band, the Muslims received contact from an unanticipated ally—Epitaph Records, America’s largest and most established punk imprint. Epitaph’s team expressed admiration and extended a contract offer, and although the Muslims felt initial reluctance owing to the label’s heavy representation of white male artists, the chance to amplify their message to broader audiences prevailed, prompting them to accept. Their Epitaph debut arrived with 2021’s Fuck These Fuckin Fascists in November 2021; its artwork depicted a figure resembling John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) taking a punch to the face, created in response to a widely circulated image of Lydon in “Make America Great Again” attire.
Albums
