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fish narc is the musical moniker of Olympia, WA-based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Funkhouser. The album combines timeless songwriting with '90s alternative grit and heart-on-sleeve lyricism to show off a whole new side of fish narc's world. Funkhouser has an expansive catalog of work as a rap producer and a solo artist–one that’s often distinguished by its sonic references to his background in the Pacific Northwest DIY punk scene. Now with the latest fish narc moniker and forthcoming LP, Funkhouser has teamed up with Calvin Johnson’s legendary record label, K Records, to fully embrace the guitar-forward indie rock songwriting of his youth. It’s a return to his roots that has inadvertently created a new beginning for fish narc.
fish narc returns with Uncle , his fifth album, out October 16, 2026 via K Records. Produced by Alex Farrar, the record leans fully into fuzzy, jangly ’80s and ’90s college rock, with lead single “Much Less Me” offering the first look. RIYL Gin Blossoms, The Replacements, Yuck, Superdrag
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fish narc, a versatile artist from Olympia, WA, has announced the upcoming release of his album "frog song" on February 14th through K Records. The album showcases guitar-driven indie rock with '90s alternative influences and heartfelt lyrics, reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest indie rock tradition. Tracks like "my ceiling," "old band," and "cluefinder" feature distorted guitars and shoegaze textures, while songs like "boxy volvo" and "interstate" offer a more intimate, stripped-back sound. To mark the announcement fish narc has shared frog song's tremendous opening track, "my ceiling." It's a blast of fuzzed-out guitars, shoegazey textures, and widescreen melodies that would have fit in perfectly on an episode of 120 Minutes.
fish narc has announced his fifth album, Uncle, due October 16 via K Records. The Olympia, Washington songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Funkhouser teamed with producer/engineer Alex Farrar (Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, Fiddlehead, Archers of Loaf) for the record, pushing further into the guitar-driven direction of 2025’s frog song.
Leaning into fuzzy, jangly ’80s and ’90s college rock, Uncle should appeal to fans of Gin Blossoms, The Replacements, Yuck, and Superdrag. Across the record, Funkhouser reflects on the last decade, aging, expectations, and settling into a more instinctive approach to songwriting.
Along with the announcement, fish narc has shared lead single “Much Less Me,” a crunchy, melodic guitar-pop track that offers the first taste of the album. Pre-order Uncle now.
fish narc has shared “Emma,” the latest single from his forthcoming fifth album, Uncle, arriving October 16 via K Records.
The Olympia, Washington songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Funkhouser continues to embrace the fuzzy guitars, jangly melodies, and instantly catchy hooks of ’80s and ’90s college rock. Produced by Alex Farrar (Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, Fiddlehead, Archers of Loaf), “Emma” is another dose of crunchy, melodic guitar pop that should appeal to fans of Gin Blossoms, The Replacements, Teenage Fanclub, Yuck, and Superdrag.
The new track follows previously released singles “Much Less Me” and “Big Dumb World,” all three offering a taste of the more guitar-driven direction Funkhouser explored on 2025’s frog song and takes even further on Uncle.
After years spent helping shape the SoundCloud rap scene through his work with ThraxxHouse and GothBoiClique, Funkhouser has increasingly returned to his Pacific Northwest punk and indie rock roots. On Uncle, he reflects on growing older, changing expectations, and finding renewed confidence in writing straightforward, timeless rock songs.
“I spent all that time working on a new sub-genre, and now I kind of just want to write songs that really feel comfortable and make sense to me,” Funkhouser explains.
Watch the video for “Emma” below and explore the forthcoming Uncle album for more information.