At first glance, the name Degenerate Breakfast sounds more like a late-night punchline than a serious band. But that balance of humor and raw honesty is exactly what defines the Memphis-based group.
Born out of a love for alternative rock, post-hardcore energy and a dash of absurd comedy, the band has carved out a style that is as unpredictable as it is relatable.
All five members are students at the University of Memphis, juggling classes with rehearsals, recording sessions and late-night gigs. That reality seeps into their music, which often shows the restless energy of young artists figuring things out in real time.
The group, made up of lead vocalist Liam Wilde, lead guitarist James Alberts, rhythm guitarist Bridger Whittier, bassist Brandon Kelly and drummer Marshall Rambin did not set out to build a polished brand. Instead, they leaned into authenticity, pulling from chaotic jam sessions, inside jokes and riffs that lingered long after practice ended.
“Degenerate Breakfast is whatever you want it to be,” said Wilde. “My Degenerate Breakfast might be different from your Degenerate Breakfast, it's for the fans to decide. [The band] is a concept of a ‘degenerate breakfast’, and then we also play music I guess.”
That mix of comedy and emotion is at the heart of the band’s name. Degenerate Breakfast does not mean anything in particular, yet somehow it says everything about them. On stage, that same energy carries over. The band leans into theatrics. Sometimes absurd, sometimes outlandish, but always genuine.
“We sometimes have planned our bits in between songs, but mostly it’s all improv,” said Kelly. Wilde reiterated the point saying, “Sometimes I like to go on stage and just rant. Sometimes I’ll have an idea about what I’m going to say, and other times I just get out there and start yelling.”
Beyond the chaos, however, there is a deep sense of pride in the art they create. Working with engineer Ryan Cleaver, also a fellow University of Memphis student, the band has been able to translate their chaotic live energy into recordings that feel raw but intentional, capturing the same spirit they bring to the stage.
“This is a product that we are really proud of and I feel like it could appeal to a large group of people, and that means a lot to me,” said Wilde. “I’m more confident. And if people don’t like it, I’m like, ‘Oh it’s just not for them’.”
The band’s chemistry and creativity shine in unexpected ways, even when things go off the rails.
“Sometimes whenever we play ‘Cocoon’ live, Bridger is kind of playing the wrong key,” said Alberts with a laugh. “And every single time, Brandon and I look at each other and we lock in. It doesn’t matter what key it is, we got it.”
That sense of adaptability and fun extends into the local music scene, which only seems to continue to grow with more local acts emerging. Degenerate Breakfast often performs with other local acts, creating a sense of camaraderie and fellowship within the community, where the bands have curated their own niche.
“That’s why we do free shows because we just want people to come out to shows and see the local scene and just experience that,” said Whittier.
For the group, being a band in Memphis is more than just performing and making music. It is about uplifting the scene of underground artists and building a community that welcomes people as they are to create memories that last long after the the final encore.
Every performance, they say, is an opportunity to prove that Memphis’ scene is still alive, creative and worth showing up for.
For now, the band is focused on releasing their second album and playing shows across Memphis. They are not chasing perfection or industry formulas, instead they lean into the quirks, building a fan base one wild performance at a time.
Jaylon Lee Hawkins can be contacted at jlhwkns3@memphis.edu
I am a junior Journalism major with an emphasis in Broadcasting. I’ve reported for The Daily Helmsman for two years and currently serve as the Managing Editor, overseeing coverage and guiding our newsroom’s editorial direction.
