Cult Faves Butthole Surfers to Release Long-Shelved Album 'After the Astronaut'

Some critics and listeners do not dare touch the music of Butthole Surfers, but Gibby Haynes and his Texas crew have gained a staunch cult following through decades of the band’s existence. Their 1966 album Electric Larryland is among the fans favorites, and was at the time supposed to be followed by an album titled After the Astronaut.

Yet their record label at the time refused to release it with the usual explanation of “lack of commercial appeal.” Now, the band have decided to finally release the shelved album, with the release date set for June 26, 2026.

After some legal wrangling, the band was released from their contract with Capitol Records, and inked a deal with Hollywood Records to release the album. However, Hollywood Records asked the band to rework the album, and it was released as Weird Revolution in 2001.

As a press release notes, during the making of After the Astronaut, Butthole Surfers “submerged their creativity deeper into electronics, industrial beats, acid grooves, and other synthesized sci-fi sounds.”

The band’s lineup for After the Astronaut consisted of Leary, singer Gibby Haynes, and drummer King Coffey, all of whom remain members of the band. Bassist Jeff Pinkus was out of Butthole Surfers at the time, but has since rejoined the group

After The Astronaut Tracklist:

Side A