Album Review: Dexter and The Moonrocks – Happy to Be Here

What happens when grunge crashes into the Wild West? Dexter and The

Moonrocks answer with an EP that’s as heartbreaking as it is explosive.

There’s something about a band that sounds like they’ve lived every note they play — like the dirt under their fingernails and the ache in their lungs found their way into the mix. Dexter and The Moonrocks are that kind of band. On their new EP, Happy to Be Here, the Abilene-based quartet proves they’re not just chasing a dream but dragging it through the dust and setting it on fire.

Following the smoky success of Western Space Grunge and the surprise grip of “Sad in Carolina,” Happy to Be Here finds the band a little sharper, a little louder, and a little surer of who they are. It’ s six songs that feel like bar fights and late-night drives — heavy guitars, heavier emotions, and just enough melodic charm to keep you coming back.

“Cry” opens like a slow bleed, letting the sadness linger before the fuzz kicks in. “Sarahtonin” and “Breakin’” dig into the ache with a kind of vulnerability that’s messy in the best way. These aren’t polished rock stars — guys who’ve probably helped move a couch for a friend before heading to the gig.

“Ritalin” is the rocket here. It’s fast, it does not apologize for needing something to cut through the noise in your head. It’s the kind of track you blast on a loop when life feels too much, and not enough, all at once. The title track? “Happy to Be Here” seems celebratory, but there’s depth in those words. Gratitude wrapped in grit. That’s the magic.

I come from a love of bands like Queens of the Stone Age and The Melvins — the weirdos, the wall-of-sound creators, the fearless ones. Dexter and The Moonrocks aren’t trying to be them. What they are doing is carving out their lane in the dirt — a space where country, grunge, and honesty collide. They’re still rough around the edges in places, but that’s part of the charm.

They’re not just playing Western Space Grunge — they’re living it. And Happy to Be Here is a snapshot of a band that’s growing, grinding, and showing up with heart. If they keep walking this line — raw, real, and unafraid — they’ve got staying power.

Standout Tracks:

Ritalin – anthem for the overwhelmed

Sarahtonin – soft ache meets slow burn

Happy to Be Here – gratitude in the grind