The Bots

The Bots emerged from Los Angeles as a teenage phenomenon, founded by brothers Mikaiah Lei and Anaiah Muhammad. Their sound identity is rooted in a minimalist garage punk framework, characterized by a high-energy interplay between overdriven guitar and aggressive, syncopated drumming.

Early in their career, they gained significant traction for their technical proficiency at a young age, touring with the Vans Warped Tour and earning critical acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone. Their career arc shows an evolution from lo-fi, basement-recorded punk to a more expansive indie rock sound, particularly on their 2014 Fader Label debut, Pink Palms. After a hiatus and lineup changes, their 2021 return with 2 Seater saw them collaborating with Adrian Quesada, introducing soul and psych-rock textures into their garage foundation. They occupy a unique cultural space as a Black duo in the predominantly white garage punk scene, influencing a younger generation of DIY rockers. Critical consensus highlights their raw charisma and the 'telepathic' rhythmic connection between the founding members.