Pink Fuzz Premiere Standalone Single “Manipulator”
Denver heavy rockers Pink Fuzz released their second album, Resolution (review here), last September through Permanent Teeth Records. Their new standalone single “Manipulator” (premiering below) for sure is of a kin to the album, but if it’s a holdover, it doesn’t seem to have been recorded at the same time — that is, even if the song existed when they tracked Resolution, this version was done in a different session; Riley Rukavina produced, Ben McLeod of All Them Witches and Mikey Allred mastered — and so is a genuine keep-momentum standalone following on from the LP and the touring they’ve already done to support it. It sure beats short-form video content to appease the algorithm.
At just over three minutes, “Manipulator” finds the three-piece of bassist/vocalist LuLu Demitro, guitarist/vocalist John Demitro and drummer Will Trafas (also Cloud Catcher) basking in a signature heft of fuzz and shove. While dynamic, they keep movement central to their songs, offering immediacy and throttle with a weighted blast that the guitar solo cuts through and the vocals float over. You’ll note the direct reference to Cyndi Lauper‘s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” in the verses, and fair enough for the good time it sounds like they’re having. Structurally, the verses
and choruses aren’t trying to get away with anything too clever so much as coming right at you with what they’ve got, and the hook lands before they shift into the solo and turn back, careening but not ungraceful in that, never out of control, and for all the studio-type fullness, still able to convey a sense of human energy behind all the thrust.
They pushed against the line between rock and metal at points on the album — not a complaint — and as a standalone, three-minute single, obviously “Manipulator” can’t capture the same sense of range, but the craft is there, and if you’ve never heard Pink Fuzz before, I guess you can either take my word for it that they change it up or actually stream Resolution on the player near the links at the bottom to find out for yourself. It’s not a headphone-listen in the sense of psychedelic immersion taking place over a longform jam, but if you give it proper volume, it’s consuming despite the relative brevity and straightforward underlying structure, the vocals lending atmosphere (and melody) to the rush. That complement — I guess you could argue it’s a contrast, but the math works out to a net-positive — is part of what draws you into “Manipulator” as they head toward that satisfying last chorus.
Pink Fuzz have a few live shows in Colorado lined up over the next couple months, but given they were out with labelmates Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol and American Sharks for a stretch this Spring, I believe the PR wire when it says a Fall tour announcement is forthcoming. Worth keeping an eye out, is all I’m saying. So I’ll be doing that.
Enjoy “Manipulator” on the player below. More info follows in the blue text beneath:
Pink Fuzz is a brother/sister led three-piece out of Denver made up of singer/guitarist John Demitro, singer/bassist LuLu Demitro and drummer Will Trafas. Pink Fuzz came to fruition at the end of 2017. Quickly picking up steam and wanting to expand out of Denver, Pink Fuzz started touring extensively. Creating a DIY circuit throughout the country, they’ve built a grassroots fanbase that has anxiously been awaiting new releases. Finally, 4 years after their previous release, the band’s latest album Resolution landed September 19th, 2025.
The band recently toured the US multiple times on treks supporting The Sword, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol and Black Pistol Fire as well as a co-headlining run with Earth Tongue. Another extensive US tour for the Fall is set to announce very soon.
John’s baritone guitar lends itself to their heavy and fuzzed-out tone. The tuned down sound mixed with vocal harmonies and unique melodies is their calling card. The band’s newest material has been gaining fans since they debuted it at Treefort 2021. The coined term “High-Speed Desert Rock” suits them well as their show is fast-paced, dynamic and hard-hitting.
New single “Manipulator” was recorded at Cauldron Audio Works and engineered by Riley Rukavina. The track was mixed by Ben McLeod of All Them Witches. The single features custom artwork by Katy Black of Spoonbenders.
Resolution was produced by Kevin Mckeown (Black Pistol Fire) and mixed by Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Chris Cornell, PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys).
“Manipulator” is available as a standalone single on streaming and download, released June 16th, 2026 via Permanent Teeth. Resolution is available on LP, cassette and download via Permanent Teeth. Orders are available HERE: https://permanentteeth.myshopify.com/
PINK FUZZ LIVE 2026:
06/20 Lyons, CO – Summer Vibes Festival
06/24 Basalt, CO – Basalt Summer Series
10/09 Trinidad, CO – Fancy Spider Fest
“Manipulator” credits:
Artwork by Katy Black of Spoonbenders
Recorded at Cauldron Audio Works
Engineered By Riley Rukavina
Mixed by Ben McLeod (All Them Witches)
Mastered by Mikey Allred at Dark Art Audio
Pink Fuzz:
John Demitro – Guitar/Vocals
LuLu Demitro – Bass/Vocals/Synth
Will Trafas – Drums
Pink Fuzz, Resolution (2025)
Permanent Teeth Records on Bandcamp
Tags: Colorado, Denver, Manipulator, Permanent Teeth Records, Pink Fuzz, Pink Fuzz Manipulator
