By Andrea Bustos
Cover Photo By Ruggero Rosfer | Feature Photography By Lisa Berg
Every band has a story. For The Rumpled, it began not with a local scene, but with a sound—a collision of rock, folk, and punk born in the shadow of the Dolomiti mountains. Early on, the blueprint was clear, drawing from the Celtic punk fury of bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. But comfort is a creative dead end, and for a band built on motion, standing still was never an option. “Over time, we felt the urge to experiment and push our boundaries,” the band says. “That’s how more pop and rock textures started blending into our sound—without ever abandoning the folk foundations.”
That quiet evolution became a full-blown revolution in 2023. The arrival of Federico “Fava” on drums and, crucially, Giacomo “Jack” Merigo as the new frontman wasn’t just a lineup shuffle; it was a hard reset.
“Jack’s arrival marked a real turning point,” they reflect, the weight of the statement clear. “Musically, Jack brought a strong folk and pop sensibility, opening the door to new influences while keeping a gritty, rock edge in his voice. That blend created a new sound direction that’s still unfolding.”
It was more than just notes and chords. The very air in the room changed. “The vibe changed, too,” they admit. “These new additions brought energy, positivity, and a renewed sense of purpose. This year has been a game-changer in terms of exposure, growth, and vision. Something big is brewing.”
The New Blood: The 2023 entrance of singer Giacomo “Jack” Merigo and drummer Federico “Fava” provided the catalyst for the band’s current era.
The Sonic Shift: Merigo’s influence injected a potent “folk and pop sensibility” into the band’s sound, creating a fresh dynamic with their foundational rock and punk attack.
The Intangibles: The band credits the new members with bringing a renewed sense of “energy, positivity, and purpose” that has been instrumental in their recent growth and ambition.
That “something big” has a name: Straight Ahead, the band’s new EP, released on June 6th. It’s the sound of a band finally comfortable being uncomfortable, a record that balances raw-nerve introspection with the kind of explosive celebration that has become their trademark. “Straight Ahead is a wild mix of introspection and celebration,” they say. “We wanted to dig deeper into who we are, but never lose that Rumpled spirit: the energy, the irony, the raw emotion.”
This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a mission statement. “The EP is about pushing forward—through fear, grief, love, and change,” they explain. “It’s about getting stronger, even when life doesn’t get easier. We’ve grown a lot, and this EP shows that we’re not afraid to take risks, emotionally or sonically.”
Look no further than the track “You Get Me So High.” The song’s origin story is pure rock and roll chaos, sparked by the post-show adrenaline of a Hives concert. “We were all hyped, sweaty, totally fired up. Jack was obsessed,” they recall. Accordionist Tommy unleashed a raw, punchy riff he had lying around, and it became the catalyst. “Jack built the whole vibe around it.” The result is the EP’s thesis, distilled into three minutes of glorious noise.
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