The Qwackers!

The Qwackers! are an Australian experimental pop-rock band formed in Adelaide in mid-2020 by lead singer Jackson Brown and guitarist Alex Burden. Known for their genre-blending sound, surreal humor, and emotionally charged lyricism, the band gained a mass devoted following after the release of their debut single, Quesadilla Muy Loco, in November 2020. Their long-awaited debut album, The Qwebut, is slated for release in 2025.

Their band consists of Jackson Brown (Lead Vocalist), Alex Burden (Guitarist), and Jacob Altmann (Drummer/Percussionist).

Background and Formation

The Qwackers! were formed in Adelaide, South Australia, in mid-2020 by childhood friends Jackson Brown and Alex Burden, shortly after a chance encounter that would alter both of their lives. Prior to forming the band, Brown had been living in emotional and physical crisis. Brown experienced an intensely traumatic upbringing, marked by family tragedy, poverty, addiction, and illness.

Following the death of his father, Brown’s life spiraled out of control. His mother worked constantly to support Brown and his five siblings, three of whom suffered from renal cancer. One of them, Jamal Williams Brown, died at age six. Brown took on a protective role in the family, especially after his younger sister Jolene narrowly escaped a sexual predator, and his older sister Elena succumbed to methamphetamine addiction and later disappeared. Though police eventually declared her death a suicide, her body was never found, further deepening the family’s trauma.

Brown would then pursue a law degree at the University of South Australia, and despite graduating and finding work, the emotional scars of his upbringing caught up with him. His mother died of tuberculosis, and her will controversially left her estate to her doctor — a revelation that devastated what was left of the Brown family. As a result Brown became addicted to a street drug known as “Pinky Ponk”, developed symptoms of bipolar disorder, and fell into homelessness. On the brink of suicide, he was discovered lying in the street by his old friend Alex Burden, who took him to hospital after Jackson collapsed and fell into a hepatic coma caused by untreated Hepatitis C.

In a candid interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Brown recounted an “epiphany” during his coma in which he was visited in a vision by Makka Pakka, a character from the children's show In the Night Garden, who told him to stop whining, be a man, and “change the world.” That vision marked a turning point in his recovery.

One year later, Brown emerged clean and determined to pursue music instead of law. With Burden’s support, they gathered a group of collaborators and friends and began making music for fun — with no expectations. What started as a light-hearted project soon became a serious artistic outlet for deep emotional release. By mid 2020, the band began work on their first song Quesadilla Muy Loco. Drummer Jacob Altman joined shortly after, completing the core trio. The band originally included other collaborators such as Ewan Pugh (vocals) and Tristan Robinson (keys), both of whom departed before the band's full debut.

Early Collaborators

Ewan Pugh contributed backup vocals to Quesadilla Muy Loco but left the band following a very public and volatile falling-out, which included damaging studio equipment and assaulting fellow members.
Tristan Robinson was removed during the writing sessions of QML for disruptive behavior. He later went to the press but received no public support.
James Groom, a close friend and groupie, has contributed lyrics and ideas, including co-writing The Almighty Gnome Child.
Riley Steere, another close collaborator, is featured vocally in Quesadilla Muy Loco.
Zachary Angus, also known as Crimson or ZEETree, has contributed as a background ad-lib artist and is known for having multiple musical alter egos.
The band is managed by Yili Liu.

Quesadilla Muy Loco

The Qwackers! began writing and recording their debut single, Quesadilla Muy Loco, in early November 2020. The song was completed and released just two weeks later, on November 20, 2020. Its bizarre lyrics, energetic instrumentation, and darkly humorous tone quickly earned the band a mass devoted following online. The song features backup vocals from Ewan Pugh, a former member, as well as contributions from Riley Steere and Zachary Angus (aka Crimson or ZEETree). The guitar solo, performed by Alex Burden, has become iconic among fans famously inspired by Jackson Brown’s suggestion to “do f*** all.” Though celebrated as a chaotic anthem, the track is also deeply personal. It contains veiled references to lead singer Jackson Brown’s troubled upbringing, struggles with addiction, and personal loss. For many fans, Quesadilla Muy Loco is considered the emotional and stylistic cornerstone of the band.

Hiatus (2021–2024)

Following the release of QML, the band went through the turbulent departures of Pugh and Robinson, causing the band entered a long public hiatus. However, all three members continued writing and developing music privately.

Jackson Brown dealt with recovery from addiction and grief, much of which is believed to influence future material.
Alex Burden worked on a deeply personal track titled I Give My Life to Pakistan, which he described in a Reddit AMA as being about sacrifice and identity.
Jacob Altman experienced a highly public breakup with actress Emme Matthews, a life event believed to influence the band’s cover of When a Man Loves a Woman on the upcoming album.

The Qwebut (2025)

In 2025, the band confirmed their reunion and announced the release of their debut album, The Qwebut. The album blends multiple genres and tones — R&B, metal, jazz, Italian pop, and satirical punk — while continuing to balance absurdity with personal vulnerability. The officially confirmed track list is as follows.

Conventions of Jazz
Heart and Soul
The Almighty Gnome Child
Hot Pursuit
I Give My Life to Pakistan
Quesadilla Muy Loco
When a Man Loves a Woman (cover)
Caruso
Surgery
Moon River
March
Ethereal Pleasure

Several tracks were teased or developed but later cut, including My Fish Is So Preg, which reportedly never moved beyond the writing phase.

Musical Style and Influences

The Qwackers! are known for their genre-defying sound, blending elements of classic rock, pop, jazz, blues, metal, and rap with absurdist humor and emotionally raw storytelling. Their music frequently shifts tone mid-track — jumping from heartfelt ballads to chaotic solos, theatrical breakdowns, or spoken-word interludes. In interviews, the band has cited Queen as a major influence, admiring their theatrical flair, layered vocals, and genre experimentation. Metallica’s heavier guitar work and percussion have shaped some of their more aggressive sounds, while the expressive solos of Carlos Santana have inspired much of their lead guitar work. The smooth crooning vocals of Dean Martin is a direct influence for one of their upcoming tracks, and ABBA’s pop craftsmanship and melodic structure have also played a role in shaping the band’s more accessible material. Drawing as well from a broad palette of classic rock, 1970s pop, jazz improvisation, blues authenticity, and modern rap lyricism, The Qwackers! have created a sound that is both unpredictable and unmistakably their own — equal parts chaos, catharsis, and theatrical charm.

Legacy

Despite having only one officially released track as of 2025, The Qwackers! have already left a noticeable mark on music culture and the music scene. Quesadilla Muy Loco became a cult hit, gaining traction for its unpredictable structure, emotionally complex lyrics, and bizarre humor. Its sudden popularity, combined with the band’s offbeat public image and behind-the-scenes drama, helped solidify their reputation as one of the most intriguing musical acts to emerge from the 2020s.

Fans and critics alike have praised The Qwackers! for embracing vulnerability in unexpected ways. Beneath their chaotic presentation lies a raw emotional core, especially in Jackson Brown’s introspective writing and Alex Burden’s expressive guitar work. The band’s hiatus only intensified public interest, with speculation about their struggles, creative process, and unfinished material creating a mystique rarely seen in such young bands.

Their return with The Qwebut is widely anticipated not just as a debut album, but as a long-awaited artistic reckoning, one shaped by years of personal growth, grief, creative tension, and resilience. In fan communities, The Qwackers! are often cited as proof that absurdity and sincerity can coexist in music. They’ve inspired a new generation of musicians to experiment without restraint, take risks, and confront personal history with both humor and honesty.

Though their discography remains limited, their cultural footprint, built on myth, humour, music, and meaning, continues to grow.

Controversy

Ewan Pugh's Departure

Shortly after Quesadilla Muy Loco was completed, backup vocalist and early member Ewan Pugh had a public falling-out with the band. Upset about his limited presence on the final mix, Pugh destroyed studio instruments and threw glass bottles at Brown and Burden during a heated argument. The incident was caught on camera and quickly went viral. He was dismissed from the band and has not collaborated with them since.

Tristan Robinson’s Removal

Around the same time, early contributor Tristan Robinson was removed from the band due to persistent disruptions during writing sessions. He reportedly refused to take the process seriously and was ultimately told to leave. Though he later attempted to publicize his version of events, the media and fans largely sided with the band.

Members/Past Members

Current

Jackson Brown (Lead Vocalist)
Alex Burden (Guitarist, Backup Vocalist)
Jacob Altmann (Drummer, Percussionist, Backup Vocalist)

Past

Ewan Pugh (Backup Vocalist)
Tristan Robinson (Keys)

Discography

Quesadilla Muy Loco (2020, Single)

References

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