Malewicz are perhaps the world’s only self-proclaimed faux-punk band. While most bands spend forever trying to find the perfect genre description, the quartet from French-speaking Switzerland does away with all of that and simply plays punk. Their short, fast and energetic songs are influenced by melodic hardcore, US punk rock and the French underground scene, drawing inspiration from bands like Guerilla Poubelle, Justin(e), Strung Out, Satanic Surfers and Rise Against. Add a touch of Swiss understatement and you’ve got yourself an explosive mix.
Formed in 2016 by Adrien Bachmann (We Said, Among Vultures), David Zimmermann (Das Röckt, Voodoo Dick, Dead Squad, Daigoro) and Alain Dumas (Mash Out), Malewicz played their first show in 2018. Just a year later, in 2019, they released their debut EP “Pour Dire Qu’On Existe”, followed by more gigs, including a fully DIY-organized tour in Chile. In 2020, Alain left Malewicz and Vivien Gilliéron took over on drums.
Their first album, “Des Plafonds Inconnus”, arrived in 2021. Recorded at home and mixed and mastered by Christoph Noth at Fire Ant Music, it showcased both the band’s knack for catchy melodies and the raw energy that would go on to define Malewicz’ sound. At the end of the same year, another milestone followed: Teodora Marunovic (Mamba Bites, Après La Chute) joined as lead singer and second guitarist. The three-track EP “Super Zero Punks 3” was released shortly after, featuring re-recorded versions of older songs with their new, energetic vocalist. The EP appeared as a very limited, hand-made cassette, lovingly designed by Bad Press™ (@badpress).
The following years brought countless shows, from small stages like Ebrietas in Zurich and Qwertz in Lausanne to bigger gigs such as opening for Itchy at the Dachstock in Bern or performing at the legendary Blaues Pferd Festival. Alongside ever tighter and more powerful live performances, the signing with Bern-based label and booking agency DMB Records helped Malewicz reach new audiences, especially in the Swiss-German part of the country. Early 2024 saw the release of their next EP “The New Hier” on vinyl, featuring three new songs fully written and recorded as a quartet, mixed and mastered by Kevin “Caoimhin” Galland (Coilguns).
Shortly after this release, founding member Adrien stepped down to focus on his new role as vocalist for Among Vultures. His replacement was found in David Spring, who joined on guitar just in time for a busy live season. Highlights included the legendary Openair Gränichen, the There Are Worse Bands Festival in Lucerne, the one-of-a-kind Monster Sound Matinée in Zofingen and a support slot for none other than Lagwagon at the Dynamo Zürich in 2025.
In their French lyrics, Malewicz channel everyday frustration and the emotional fallout of life in a broken world. Their tone shifts from cynical and straight to the point to unabashedly angry or tongue-in-cheek. On stage, Teo is energetic, engaging and often right in the middle of the crowd, while Vivien and the two Davids form a tight punk rock foundation. Malewicz continue to bring their music to clubs and stages big and small, across Switzerland and beyond, to anyone who needs a little faux-punk in their lives. After all, as they say: “on a tout ce qu’il faut pour faire faux.”
