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Much-acclaimed Celtic punk artist NO MURDER NO MOUSTACHE (Owen Crawford) returns with his most personal and powerful work yet. His new album, As Everything Else Decays, arrives Friday 27th February, led by the gripping new single and video, A Demon In The Dark, out now. Find out more about Owen and No Murder No Moustache, below.
What are the origins of the project? When did it form?
I’ve played in a range of bands over the years, from indie to heavy metal, death metal to skate punk. In that time, I’ve played 100s of shows across the UK and Europe, ranging from tiny DIY venues, to touring as support to international touring bands to performances at Bloodstock festival, and everything in between.
In 2019, I was done with the classic local band meme stuff like struggling to organise practice around other people’s schedules and finding drummers (kids, learn to play drums fast and tight, and you will have your pick of bands), so I had been working up some tracks to play solo.
I also wanted to be able to move at my own pace, bringing new songs in, trying them out, making changes, and really double down on the authenticity of my performance, too, which is more difficult as a “democratic” band (maybe I have control issues). I put out a couple of early, rougher tracks that year to see how they went down.
What should people expect when they check you out? How would you describe your music?
Music-wise, think the Celtic punk classics such as Dropkicks, Rumjacks, Flogging Molly, etc… so it’s fast in places, reflective in others, it’s got lots of that Celtic and Folk feel. Vocally, I’ve been told there’s a bit of Levellers, a bit of Billy Bragg, but I like to think with the political and authentic lyrics of bands like Against Me! for the majority of tracks. I’ve always kept a mix of serious and not-serious in the content of the songs, so for every 2 or 3 about horrific injustices, there’s one about drinking beer, or politicians getting caught putting bits of their anatomy where they perhaps shouldn’t.
How did you feel performing your first gig, and how was it?!
As No Murder No Moustache, I played my first real live show the day before my country went into pandemic lockdown. The gig itself went great and really helped boost my confidence that I could perform solo and still do a decent job – although I like to think that since then, I can now do a good job. That venue, like so many others that are a bastion of grassroots music, has now unfortunately closed.
What are you working on at the moment that people can check out?
My 2nd full-length album is coming out on February 27th, 2026, and the first new single and video from it came out on Dec 5th, 2025, so at the moment I’m all about promoting pre-orders: https://shop.nomurdernomo.co.uk and booking shows in the Spring.
Regarding a similar audience, which band or artist at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
I know I’ve mentioned them before, but I’d love to open for the Rumjacks; their shows are fantastic. I’ve supported The Cloverhearts, The Rumpled, Mr Irish Bastard, and similar, so to be honest, anything that’s in the Celtic Punk field is always a super fun show, and I’d happily play it.
Excluding yourself, which new band or artist would you like to see break out and become a success?
This is so difficult, there are so many amazing grassroots bands around South Wales that I know. I’m going to pick two – Calling All Stations, who are a 3-piece punk/pop-punk band with monster choruses to their songs, and Stickman, who are disco punk with some of the best live shows going.
What frustrates you about the music business?
I’m only picking one thing for this, and it’s about the high-level “safe-ness” and “same-ness” of the industry, both music and media in general.
Do we REALLY need any more films that open with Sympathy For The Devil, or fight scenes soundtracked by Immigrant Song? Nothing against these songs (they are amazing), but there are so many millions of songs with similar vibes from lesser-known bands that could be used instead and grow their fanbase, but somewhere up the chain, it’s all about same-ness. Children’s films are even worse for just using the same track, or cheap covers of them, over and over again.
On the music side, people talk about alternative music, but most of what gets picked up and boosted by the very mainstream outlets could be considered “safe alternative”. Bands like Bob Vylan are bucking this trend, but outside of a handful, there’s no real challenge in the lyrics of a lot of “alternative” music, or representation of genuine alternative lifestyles.
Oh, and AI – that absolutely sucks.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say, “I want to do that”?
Growing up, I always listened to a lot of music, old records or CDs from my parents, etc – a classic origin story. This gave me a lot of feel for the folk side of things, and I’d had guitar lessons and was really into 60s music. But then I went to Germany on a school trip just as Americana by The Offspring came out, and it was everywhere. I absolutely loved that whole record, and when I got back, I managed to score a copy of “The Offspring Tape”. This was a somewhat legendary mixtape that some of the kids in school had made with Americana on one side, and a choice selection from Ignition, Ixnay, and Smash on the other (on the basis that they couldn’t all fit on one tape). I played that tape until it died. That was when I really knew I wanted to play alternative music.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
The last big show was Slayer in Cardiff – I actually went for Amon Amarth, who were supporting, and they were absolutely immense. Giant Viking statues and a horned helmet on the stage, lightning effects, and a huge hammer. I’m all about that.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
The thing that has always resonated with me is people being treated differently because of who they are and the things they have no control over. Classically, this would be things like racism, sexism, homophobia, etc, but it applies to situational circumstances too, such as poverty, access to healthcare, war, and conflicts.
The media and most governments constantly pushed the narrative that “some people deserve less than others because of who they are”. But we can reject this narrative as it’s simply not true. We have the means as humanity to ensure that no one starves or goes without access to clean water. We have the means to provide free healthcare to everyone on the planet. We can recognise war crimes, we can stop conflict, we can change this narrative, but we just choose not to.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I think perhaps the first few Placebo albums. Mostly because I generally didn’t really get into the whole late 90s softer, synthy, indie-esque, alternative rock vibe. But those early albums are absolutely brilliant. A true example of alternative music that did make it into the mainstream without hiding what it was. I’ve also got a LOT of power metal.
Everybody is a fan of something. Who or what are you a fan of?
Music-wise, I’m a fan of bands that know how to put on a good live show. Doesn’t matter what level they are at, if they’ve got songs that flow well, and good performance and presence, it works for me. No standing around in between songs trying to think about what to say, please.
I’m also a big fan of drinking just the right amount of beer to have a great night, but not so much that you get a bad hangover. I get it right about 50% of the time.
What new music have you enjoyed this year?
So many to choose from, but I’m going for At Peace by Propagandhi, and Who Let The Dogs Out by the Lambrini Girls. Both fantastic albums.
What does 2026 hold for you?
My second album, “As Everything Else Decays” comes out in February, followed by some live shows being put together at the moment. I’ve got a couple of collabs planned for later in the year, too, so I’ll definitely be busy.
How active are you on social media, and where can people connect with you?
I’m pretty active on all of these, and if you like story-based music videos with ridiculous costumes, I’ve got some of those on my YouTube, too.
All links can be found HERE
No Murder No Moustache Photo By Zack Crawford
