Good Health Good Wealth returns with a new single, “You Don’t Know Me,” which will be released tonight at midnight. With their signature blend of punk swagger and polished production, the track sees the UK and Lithuanianduo teaming up with Fredwave for one that sees them reach for new heights.
Taking its cue from real-life chaos, a festival con mounted by one man who appeared in Crimewatch, of all shows, the song channels frustration, wit and defiance into hook-ridden melodies and acid-cut wordplay. Silky vocals in Fredwave serve as a counterpoint to Bruce Breakey’s tense, urgent delivery, contrast between them driving the track forward in a kinetic fashion.
Building momentum from this festival-packed summer and from their upcoming project, ‘Time Next Year We’ll Be Millionaires,’ Good Health Good Wealth has one message in mind: they won’t play by other people’s rules.
Watch out for unapologetic lyrical skill, thumping production, and an album that won’t be ignored. I had the opportunity to catch up with Bruce for an engaging conversation about everything that’s unfolding in the world of Good Health, Good Wealth.
So, how did you and Fredwave end up collaborating on ‘You Don’t Know Me’?
We met at our mutual friend Oscar #Worldpeace’s show a few years back and clicked straight away. Both Gooners and we are conscious about making music we actually care about instead of chasing trends. It just made sense.
And Bruce, your lyrics in the song say there’s a proper story behind them, right?
Yeah, it’s a mad one. We played at a festival that turned out to be run by a bloke who was actually on the run for fraud. A singer from another band did some digging after he vanished on the last day and discovered he was on Crimewatch with a load of different aliases. Why he thought putting on a festival off the A13 was his golden ticket is beyond me, but we were promised a packed field alongside big names like Tinchy Stryder and Toploader, what a combo. What we actually turned up to was an empty field with about 12 people, mostly food vendors who also got swindled.
Obviously, he never intended to pay anyone. It’s funny in hindsight, but at the time, I was fuming. We were relying on that money, but there was no way to sort it unless I tracked the guy down, which wouldn’t have been the best idea. Writing about it helped. Turned a bad situation into something productive.
It really highlights the number of shady characters in the music industry. I’m glad you found a positive takeaway from it. So how does Fredwave’s smooth vocal delivery enhance your powerful, punk-inspired performance?
It stops it from getting too serious. If we’d made the song too angry, it wouldn’t work; it’d be Limp Bizkit (not that I don’t love Limp Bizkit). But that’s not what we are. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to hear that sexy little voice?
How did the Victor Moses reference end up in there?
Honestly? It just made me laugh. When I write something and crack myself up, I know I’ve got to leave it in. People have really taken to that lyric, including Victor Moses himself. I love those specific lyrics, like when Action Bronson name-drops some niche baseball player. It’s my version of that.
“Call myself a Catholic but I’ve never read a scripture / The only Moses I know goes by the name Victor.”
‘You Don’t Know Me’ Artwork
Your sound is often compared to The Streets and Daft Punk. How would you describe what makes it distinctive?
You’ve kind of answered it by naming those two influences; it’s the mix of styles, making something fresh out of familiar elements. There’s always gonna be a Brucey-esque delivery gluing songs together, but we’re not afraid to push the boat out when experimenting. Right now, we’re leaning into UK culture and what we grew up with because it feels like the most authentic way to show what we’re about early on. But don’t be surprised if we drop a ballad later.
How’s the reaction to ‘You Don’t Know Me’ been so far?
It’s really good. I’m looking forward to getting it out properly and playing it live. It’s got some of my favourite lyrics, and even filming its content has been fun.
What have been the key moments shaping your journey as a band?
The very first show at Sebright Arms was huge because we weren’t sure if our two-man setup would actually translate on stage, but it did, properly. Also, dropping Full Circle was a seismic shift. The love we got for that song pulled us out of a tough spot. Music’s a hard graft, and sometimes you need that little pat on the head to keep things moving.
Your lyrics touch on challenges faced by young adults today. What’s your take on that?
It’s tough out there. You need three years of experience for an entry-level job you don’t even want. To pursue something creative, people expect you to work for exposure forever; it’s not viable for most of us. And then you get keyboard warriors seeing you online, assuming you must be some silver spoon wet flannel. Winds me up, but I’m learning not to rise to it. It’s all part of the game. Some of the stuff people say to footballers when they misplace a pass is ridiculous; it’s the same energy, really.
You’ve got a packed summer ahead. What festivals are on the list?
Buzzing for summer, we’re all over the UK. Reading & Leeds, The Great Escape, Truck Festival, Isle of Wight, Kendal Calling, Get Together, Dot to Dot, 2000 Trees, What’s Happenin’, Boho Festival, Ceremony Festival, and more coming.
How did you reinvent You Don’t Know Me from its original slower version to the final upbeat sound?
Stripped it right back to just vocals and the main riff, worked out the key, and rebuilt it. It was always quite minimal, but more half-time. We’ve actually got different versions; one’s a bit Joy Division, and another is proper Indie Sleaze. Might drop another later in the year.
Rachel: What’s next after the festival run? An album and more collaborations?
Time Next Year We’ll Be Millionaires is coming later this year. It’s not just an EP or a couple of tunes we like; it’s something we’ve spent a lot of time crafting to tell a proper story. There’ll be loads of extra stuff alongside it. Know that sounds like a politician’s answer, but we can’t give it all away yet. gotta keep some cards close to the chest.
Good Health Good Wealth started 2025 with a sold-out London show at The Lower Third. They’re now set to impact on far bigger stages with many high-profile festival dates throughout the summer. Their upcoming shows are:
MAY
14th – 17th – Brighton, The Great Escape
17th – Sheffield, Get Together Festival
23rd – London, Electric Ballroom (with The Sherlocks)
