Cornish Heavy Metal Band Moosehead Hits Big on US Airwaves
Cornish Roots, American Resonance
Cornwall’s own heavy metal sensation, Moosehead, is making unexpected waves across the Atlantic. While perhaps not yet household names here, lead singer Dunk Jewitt, guitarist Jan Trefusis, drummer Ross Morris, and bassist Joe Hugh have found their new album, ‘Herd’, soaring in popularity in the USA. Released just last month, ‘Herd’ has already accumulated over 28,000 streams and downloads, predominantly from American listeners. Their latest single, ‘Cabin Fever’, with its distinct southern rock undertones, has become a staple on commercial radio stations throughout the United States, also garnering significant attention in Sweden and Brazil. This international acclaim builds on the strong foundation laid by their debut album, ‘Carved in Stone’, which received a glowing 10/10 review from metal legend Chris Sutton, biographer of Black Sabbath, in a leading national rock magazine. It’s an exciting time for this local band, proving that talent from the Duchy can truly resonate on a global scale.
Crafting Sound in the Duchy
Despite their growing international fanbase, Moosehead remains firmly rooted in Cornwall. Both ‘Carved in Stone’ and the new album ‘Herd’ were meticulously crafted at the acclaimed Cube studio in Silverwell, near Perranporth, a facility often hailed as one of the finest recording spaces outside of London. The band’s name itself, Moosehead, is a playful nod to both a Canadian beer and their grunge influences, which largely emerged from the Pacific Northwest. Adapting to modern music consumption, Moosehead strategically released tracks from ‘Herd’ as singles on streaming platforms before compiling them into the full album. This approach acknowledges that younger generations often engage with individual songs rather than full LPs, a move that clearly paid off in their global outreach. While a full-fledged American tour remains a distant dream due to the significant financial and logistical hurdles, the band prioritizes their passion for music, maintaining a strong presence right here in Cornwall. If you go to Newquay or nearby towns, you might be lucky enough to catch them at a local gig.
Connecting with the Community
Moosehead’s journey is truly a testament to their dedication, performing for the sheer love of making music. Last year marked their most successful to date, including a memorable opening slot for Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork in Southampton. Locally, they’ve been a hit with their home crowd, headlining the tattoo convention at the Royal Cornwall Showground last August, where they found their perfect audience: “Gen X metal heads covered in tattoos.” They also headlined the 2025 Indian Motorcycle UK National Rally at Harbour Brewing in Bodmin, an event they are set to rock again this year. Their music, which features themes ranging from personal demons and vices in ‘Snake Eye’ to unique narrative ballads like ‘Blood’ – a tale of a vampire stranded on a planet – demonstrates a captivating depth. For Moosehead, it’s about enjoying the creative process and the journey, hoping to inspire other local musicians in Cornwall to pursue their artistic dreams.
Source: Heavy metal band from Cornwall is a hit on American radio
