The Philadelphia-based duo GHÖSH has an origin story that suits its thumb-nosing and transgressive sound: “Zach [Fairbrother] and I met working at a pizza restaurant in Philly,” remembers vocalist Symphony Spell. “He got in trouble for playing a Korn song and it pissed off some customers enough to leave a bad Yelp review. I thought that was so funny, and I was like, I need to be friends with this guy.” As the band that coincidentally brought them together might indicate, the two fast friends shared a mutual love of music often disdained in more respectable indie circles, particularly nu-metal. Even beyond Limp Bizkit and Korn, the members of GHÖSH share a mutual sense of taste that’s equally omnivorous and adventurous. You can clearly hear that diverse range of influences in their distinctive style, which scrambles rap-rock, rave, DIY punk, and experimental electronic into an explosive vortex. 

GHÖSH describes their own sound as “nü jungle US grime phonk,” but just when you think you’ve got their music pinned down, it gleefully swerves into an unexpected lane. No matter what style they’re pulling from, the group’s new EP PRISSMASSIVE is a non-stop high-energy experience that forces you to move, fusing electronic subgenres like drum n’ bass and gabber with big guitar riffs and biting lyrics. The ensuing collision is unrestrained digital hardcore, all fast rap flows and furious breakbeats. halfway between the stadium and the basement; PRISSMASSIVE plays something like a distorted compilation of jock jams played at the blood rave from Blade.

Symphony’s previous work as a DJ and Zach’s years of experience playing in bands in Philadelphia’s thriving DIY scene make for a group that’s keenly attuned to the radical possibilities of live performance. When the time is right and tempo is fast enough, Symphony transforms into a party conductor and vibes curator holding the crowd in the palm of her hand. A seasoned performer who remains open to instinct and intuition, Zach functions as a versatile one-man band, striking a unique balance between programmed beats and in-the-moment improvisation. The project is a total collaboration like few others, not just between Zach and Symphony but between GHÖSH and their audience, as each side thrives off exchange of creative energies. 

GHÖSH draws out the humor that’s long been part of dance music culture but often goes overlooked, like in their playful flip of the raunchy club classic “Short Dick Man” on “Dick” The group’s name, after all, is a tongue-in-cheek twist on the word “Gauche,” a concept they thoroughly embrace in their love of all things extreme and over-the-top. But their music isn’t pure escapism either — tracks like “Get Ready to Die” channel a righteous political rage, embodying the anti-establishment and utopian spirit that’s so foundational to rave culture and dance music. GHÖSH might seem like merry pranksters, but there’s a deep feeling of cathartic release to their immersive performance style and hybrid sound. The influences are wide-ranging and unexpected, from Three 6 Mafia to 808 State, but the end result can’t be described as anything but pure Ghösh.