After the Astronaut is an archival album by the American rock band Butthole Surfers, released on June 26, 2026 through Sunset Boulevard Records. After the Astronaut was originally recorded in the late 1990s, but after it was shelved, the band reworked many of its tracks for the 2001 album Weird Revolution.
Background Despite their success with the album Electriclarryland (1996), the band's relationship with Capitol Records grew increasingly strained. After the Astronaut, which was intended for release in 1998 as the follow-up to Electriclarryland, was shelved, and the Butthole Surfers parted ways acrimoniously with their manager, Tom Bunch.Young, "Butthole Surfers Resurface: Austin Iconoclasts Exit Legal Morass, Sign to Surfdog/Hollywood", Billboard Magazine. After resolving their dispute with Capitol, they re-recorded most of After the Astronauts songs for their 2001 album Weird Revolution, on the Hollywood Records/Surfdog Records imprint, which was their most electronic album to date and had a trip hop sound.Charts & awards – Billboard albums, Allmusic.Kennedy, Weird Revolution review, Allmusic.
Release and promotion On March 17, 2026, Butthole Surfers announced that After the Astronaut would finally be released on June 26, by Sunset Boulevard Records. The album's announcement came with the release of its lead single "Jet Fighter". On April 21, 2026, the band released the second single "Imbuya".
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from Tidal. Butthole Surfers Gibby Haynes – vocals Paul Leary – guitar, bass guitar, production, mixing King Coffey – drums
Additional contributors Howie Weinberg – mastering Stuart Sullivan – recording
Charts + Chart performance for After the Astronaut Chart (2026) Peakposition UK Albums Sales (OCC) 95 US Top Album Sales (Billboard) 45
References