I Wanna Be a Bad Man

Artist is available for interviews

The Layman Preachers return with one of their boldest and most ambitious releases to date. Their new single, ‘I Wanna Be a Bad Man’, embraces the swagger of vintage big-band rock while delivering a tongue-in-cheek story of fantasy, frustration and rebellion. At the heart of the song is an unlikely anti-hero—a man trapped in an ordinary life who dreams of escaping convention and becoming one of society's so-called "bad men." His aspirations, however, are dismantled by a partner who sees straight through the fantasy, creating a theatrical back-and forth that gives the song its unmistakable sense of humour. Driven by a thick, infectious bass groove, pounding drums and lo-fi vocals, the production captures the energy of a band performing in a cavernous warehouse rather than a polished recording studio. "We wanted it to sound big and wide” says vocalist and producer Corby Green. "That gritty raw blues bar sound. We wanted listeners to feel like they were standing in the room with the band." ‘I Wanna Be a Bad Man’ continues the band's tradition of creating songs that are both musically adventurous and lyrically character-driven, proving once again that they are just as comfortable entertaining an audience as they are challenging expectations.

The Layman Preachers are a Townsville-based independent music project founded by longtime North Queensland musicians and songwriters Heather Armstrong and Corby Green. Since beginning their recording journey in 2022, the pair have built an increasingly diverse catalogue with the support of a changing cast of guest musicians. Working from their own small studio, Heather and Corby write, arrange and produce songs shaped by decades of experience in original bands—and by a shared belief that the song itself should determine the sound. Unrestricted by genre, The Layman Preachers move freely through rock, blues, roots, folk, swing, acoustic balladry and the occasional touch of the theatrical. Their songs are raw, character-driven and grounded in real personalities, relationships and lived experience.With sixteen releases already behind them, The Layman Preachers continue to build their catalogue, expand their audience and pursue opportunities.