Bad Pop has today released their new EP titled ‘Dark Metal’ via Killing Moon Records. ‘Dark Metal’ is neither dark nor metal but holy shit is it good and loud. The bombastic grit of the guitars alone have that sonic assault feel from the start. But, underneath it all, their are solid tracks worthy of any stereo (hopefully) or even set of earbuds (probably). This is the touch of musical anarchy Simon Cowell warned you about.
About ‘Dark Metal’
Meeting in Vancouver’s dusty music and comedy clubs, Canadian trio Bad Pop have shared their mutual love for rock and humour for the past eight years. They release their new EP Dark Metal June 15th through Killing Moon Records as one finger of the two they flip in the face of growing up whilst peppering the music with sarcasm, wit and gritty guitars.
“Dark Metal is a hard hitting, jangly, punk rock record built to wake you up with a slap in the face. Lyrically it’s cynical, and sarcastic. It’s confrontational in a ‘tongue and cheek’ kind of way, always with a smirk as it confidently struts with a swagger”
Chris Connelly
Recorded partly prior to lockdown and finished throughout, Dark Metal could be argued as a response to humankind and the lockdown Bad Pop and the rest of the world have had to face; then the trio will release their second EP as an alternative reaction to the madness. Dark Metal serves as the pissed off, aggressive reaction to capitalism, growing up, human over-population and lockdown in comparison to the existential reaction to follow later this year.
“This album took many different paths to completion and at times looked like it would never be finished. Some of the tracks found their beginnings as live songs, tested out in front of live audiences while touring the Bad Pop LP. Others were crafted together in the studio, and others were done over the internet in lockdown. They say there isn’t just one way to make an album, and that’s a good thing because this album did it many different ways”
Chris Connelly
With more time to sit on this release after not having to follow basic structure and time restrictions implemented by studios, each track on this EP has had more breathing time and consideration to its future both live and in the band’s discography, allowing them to develop like never before.
“Having a pandemic and lockdown really shaped these songs in unexpected ways. Normally we’d make a record by going into the studio and recording a bunch of songs that we had rehearsed, then we’d release them in a timely manner that coincided with live dates. There was always a strict timeline and schedule that was followed. None of that happened this time, we were able to sit with the songs and let them breathe and experiment more”
Chris Connelly
Written originally as an acoustic tune, focus track ‘Heartache on the Reddit Boards’ was eventually layered with fuzzed out, distorted guitars in a similar vein to My Bloody Valentine or Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins. Giving the tune its own identity, ‘Heartache on the Reddit Boards’ is complete with a saw solo.
“I was listening a lot to Mercury Rev’s “Deserter’s Songs” , and love how they use a musical saw on that record and am super happy we got to do that on this track!” “I often try to write through the perspective of different characters and “Heartache On The Reddit Boards” is about a young, entitled artist who feels like they’re special and deserving of success. Is desperate for it. They’ll dabble in cringe worthy earnestness, jaded cynicism, it doesn’t matter, whatever gets the most likes. It’s about this vapid, perception based, internet culture and the art that comes from that. A shameless self promoters, in the golden age of self promotion”
Chris Connelly
About Bad Pop
Bad Pop returned in 2021 to resume their journey on the alternative highroad and ramblings against “bad pop” music. The comedic and self-deprecating backing of the name acts as a reflection of the band’s mutual love for comedy as well as music. Meeting in 2013 in the dingy comedy and music clubs of Vancouver, their love for humour doesn’t stop there as Devon even survived a stand-up career prior to his music and production profession in Bad Pop taking centre stage.
With Devon’s initial offer to produce Hot Panda’s record (vocalist and bassist Chris Connelly and Catherine Hiltz’s first band), the relationship became more fruitful in the coming years when he joined the new outfit Bad Pop. Their Dark Metal EP campaign has seen amazing support from Planet Rock’s New in Music shows and Amazing Radio as well as continued support from Louder Than War, CLOUT, GigSlutz and publications all across the UK.
Bad Pop have grown up, and they’re kind of pissed off about it. So, these Canadians have turned to every teenager’s refuge: distortion pedals and sarcasm. A deluge of raw punk rock with warm analogue psychedelia poured over cheeky nihilistic musings, on everything from fast food and festivals to the loneliness of adulthood. Bad Pop have crossed the world on dozens of tours and played festivals like Primavera Sound, SXSW, and The Bacardi NH7 Weekender in India. They’ve lived the ups and downs of growing up playing music. It left them jaded and gentle, melodic and menacing.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/badpopband
https://twitter.com/badpopband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5x2fC9EYZTHuorvmDcrjkw
