AceShowbiz - Julian Pratt, the frontman of punk-rap band Show Me the Body, has a unique bond with New York City's urban wildlife—specifically its pigeons. On a chilly May day in Astoria Park, Queens, Pratt walks alongside his two-year-old daughter, Surey, searching for the city's iconic birds. Despite the cold keeping the pigeons scarce, Pratt, familiar with the city's pigeon community, comes prepared with feed to attract them, demonstrating his deep connection to this often-overlooked part of New York life.

Underneath the RFK Triborough Bridge, the duo scatters seeds, drawing a flock that delights Surey as she playfully dodges them. Pratt points out that pigeons with white tails are native to New York, a small detail that highlights his intimate knowledge of the city's environment. This quiet moment contrasts sharply with Pratt’s past as a defiant New Yorker railing against authority, reflecting his transformation into a father while maintaining his relentless energy.

At a nearby coffee shop, Pratt reflects on the changes fatherhood has brought to his life. Once able to live solely off touring with his band, he now balances serious responsibilities. The blue work gloves on the table are evidence of his day job—hoisting banners for the New York Stock Exchange—a role steeped in irony given his critical lyrics about capitalism. Yet, this job allows him to climb a historic building in the city, a rare perk. Removing the gloves reveals his "N.Y.H.C." tattoo—a nod to the New York hardcore scene—and a chunky ring engraved with his daughter's name, Surey.

Despite past struggles and personal losses, Pratt acknowledges growth. "I think my life has gotten better," he says, recalling moments that once made him cringe but now serve as fuel for his creative output. A close friend’s advice reminds him that discomfort is part of making meaningful art.

Currently, Pratt and Show Me the Body are preparing to release their fourth full-length album, Alone Together, set for July 10. The album cover prominently features flocks of pigeons, symbolizing the city’s spirit and Pratt’s connection to it. The record showcases a more refined and fuller sound, thanks to producers Kenneth Blume, known for work with Geese and Idles, and Klas Åhlund, who has collaborated with Iggy Pop and Katy Perry. Pratt credits Blume with pushing the band to create their best work yet and Åhlund with encouraging him to embrace his authentic self.

The lineup now includes co-founder Harlan Steed and recent drummer Nijol Benjamin. Together, they crafted a record that retains the band’s aggressive concert energy but channels it through focused, unapologetic lyrics that reflect Pratt's radical political beliefs. These beliefs are still active through Corpus, a youth collective he co-founded as a teenager.

The album's lead single, "Dance in the U.S.A.," blends Pratt’s rapid-fire rapping about the challenges of American life with thumping bass and banjo. Another track, "No God," features Pratt singing over gritty guitar riffs about breaking down to understand what truly matters. "See You Again" is a heartfelt tribute to two close friends lost in recent years—one a mentor, the other a best friend—showing the emotional weight Pratt carries. He becomes visibly emotional discussing them, underscoring the personal nature of the record.

Despite the hardships, Pratt remains committed to his values and lifestyle changes. He trains regularly, reduces drug and alcohol use, and embraces fatherhood as a new form of creative practice. Having a young child means rethinking daily activities, but he still enjoys life fully.

Reflecting on the sudden shift fatherhood brought, Pratt recalls the difficulty of touring when Surey was only three months old. While they could have declined the opportunity to tour with Knocked Loose, the band’s ethos compelled them to continue despite the challenges. Pratt’s upbringing, influenced by his filmmaker mother who demonstrated the value of hard work, helped him embrace the difficulty.

The band Show Me the Body formed when Pratt was 16, representing half of his life so far. Initially, the band was a personal refuge for Pratt, who struggled academically and socially. Punk and hardcore music provided an outlet and a sense of belonging. Over time, the band evolved into something akin to a religion for him, a ceremonial offering that brings together people who feel out of place in society.

Today, Show Me the Body is more than an expression of personal anguish. It serves as a community for those who share feelings of alienation, a space free of judgment. The music and its messages speak to those who often feel sidelined.

The album opens with the phrase "radical love," a concept deeply rooted in Pratt’s experiences and relationships. This idea emerged from his friend Trevor, whose father was part of the Red and Anarchist Skinheads (R.A.S.H.) movement. Pratt also references hardcore figures like Danny Diablo and Skam Dust, who looked out for their youth community. The youth crew Corpus, which Pratt co-founded, embodies this radical love by standing against capitalism, imperialism, and gentrification.

On a recent tour stop in Arizona, Pratt and a friend encountered aggressive security personnel while discussing Middle Eastern liberation from Zionism, illustrating the real-world stakes of his activism. The phrase "Radical love compels me to fight" captures the spirit of engagement and resistance that defines much of Pratt’s work and life.

Through all these experiences—loss, fatherhood, activism, and music—Julian Pratt remains a force in New York’s punk scene. His evolving identity as a father and artist merges with his political convictions and creative drive, making Show Me the Body’s upcoming album a testament to resilience and growth within a complex urban landscape.