BareBones Ent got the chance to chat with Nashville band, Winona Figher. These punk rockers recently released the deluxe version of their album, My Apologies To The Chef. Winona Fighter still have a busy 2025 ahead of them, but were able to sit down with BareBones Ent to chat the new deluxe album, covers, Warped, and all things Winona Fighter. Take a look below and see what all the band had to say!
BBE: How would you best describe your music to new listeners?
WF: Punk-rock for all music lovers! We just aim to take the music I loved from my upbringing in the Boston punk scene and make it accessible to everyone. The community it harnesses, the emotion, the FUN, I just want everyone to experience the beauty of the punk rock genre!
BBE: Let’s take it to Warped, or I’m partial to So What?!, we’re standing in line and you’re walking up to us with your phone and headphones. Which Winona Fighter song are you playing us to get us hooked?
WF: HMMM that’s a great question. I think a song that best represents us both in recorded music and live performance is “HAMMS IN A GLASS”.
BBE: You recently released a cover of, “Blister In The Sun”, which is fantastic. What made you want to cover the song?
WF: The idea was brought up by Austin when we decided to do the acoustic versions of our own songs. We have always felt super drawn to honoring those who have paved the way for bands like us to mosey on through. It was only right we give a nod to the folk-punk legends themselves, Violent Femmes. Plus, that song totally rocks. It was a privilege to cover it!
BBE: What went into you being able to cover the famous Violent Femmes song?
WF: It all starts with how you want to cover a song. Some artists/bands prefer to play songs note for note, while others change them completely. We have always liked to find a balance of keeping key elements and things that make the song so great to begin with while giving it a Winona Fighter flare. This song in particular felt very delicate as you’re not working with much production to begin with! Our whole thing is letting songs be as raw as possible but what do you do when the song you’re covering is literally as raw as it gets haha. Once we decided our approach, it was an easy recording session from there!
BBE: What types of reactions have you been seeing to the cover?
WF: Well the fans love it, the trolls on reddit love it, and we received a nod of approval from Violent Femmes themselves! It’s just really satisfying that listeners feel like we did justice to such a legendary song.
BBE: This cover is being released as part of the, My Apologies To The Chef, deluxe edition. What made you want to release a deluxe edition of the album?
WF: We are just obsessed with music haha. I mean really, we are just little sickos that can’t get enough! We really wanted to create something for the fans during this period between tours and between records. To me it felt like, “how do we give the fans more without compromising the songwriting process”. The Deluxe album was the answer.
BBE: How did you decide which additional songs you would record for the album?
WF: Our newest song, “(don’t get) CLOSE”, had barely not made it on the original debut. When it came time for the deluxe I thought it was the perfect opportunity to release it. I am so in love with this song. It just always had that something special so I’m really glad it got its own moment outside of the debut record to shine.
BBE: I absolutely love the Beastie Boys, so it’s awesome seeing “Sabotage” on there. I immediately went and looked up you performing the song live. You guys kill it! How fun of a song is that for you to cover?
WF: Thank you! It is SO fun. If people keep wanting it.. We will 100% keep playing it.
BBE: What can a fan expect from a Winona Fighter show?
WF: An amazing community, high-energy, and a lot of sweat! Not to mention the occasional mysterious smells.
BBE: I see you have some shows coming up, leading to Vans Warped Tour Orlando in November. What does Warped Tour mean to you overall? And what does being on the huge return of this festival mean to you?
WF: It is extremely surreal. Warped Tour is one of those things for most any musician, even if you never attended as a kid, where you’re like “that’s the goal”. Then it ended and you thought “well there goes that goal I’ve had for over a decade” haha. But now it’s back and we’re about to do something we literally never thought we’d get the chance to do. It’s an indescribable feeling. We are so excited. A lifelong goal coming to fruition for all of us.
BBE: Festival sets can be quite a bit different, then a normal tour show. What are the chances fans might see any of these newer songs on there?
WF: We will probably keep our whole set electric. However, we have busted out “Sabotage” and our new song “(don’t get) CLOSE” at some more recent festivals and the reception has been amazing. We might just have to keep them on the set list for our upcoming gigs.
BBE: What is the best way for fans to keep an eye out for you and connect with you?
WF: The best way to keep an eye out for us is by subscribing to our Bands In Town or following us on social media. The best way to connect with us is by coming to a show! We are always out and about after we play.
BBE: Anything else you would like to add?
WF: Thank you so much for allowing us on your platform! We love getting any opportunity to chat all things Winona Fighter and being able to give the fans a little more insight.
