Photo by Marlon Garcia
Atlanta punks Upchuck have been causing a ruckus on the heels of their deliriously noisy debut EP and brawny follow up 7” that channeled blue collar frustration and teenage hooliganism through skittering, textural compositions, pushing the needle just far enough to earn them the now-ubiquitous “post-“ prefix to their obviously punk sound. It’s those dalliances with electronic flourishes and complex arrangements amidst the abrasive wall-of-trash production that set Upchuck apart from the seething mob, a sign of deeper creative aspirations beginning to develop into a unique and unclassifiable brand rebellion that will undoubtedly set the band on a continued upward trajectory.
“Night Calls” is Upchuck’s latest single, a simmering slow burn that takes a measured step back from the controlled chaos of the band’s previous work to embrace melody and moodiness without losing an ounce of impact. From the spartan, downtuned lead to the rhythmic cadence of vocals and instrumentation in militaristic lockstep, to the surprisingly infectious hook; “Night Calls” shares a considerable amount of DNA with the grungier side of alternative rock. Shaggy specters of the Seattle sound loom over the track with the primal mystique of northwestern pines, accented with the restless static of JEFF The Brotherhood at the band’s most despondent. But unlike those touchpoint’s tendencies to wallow in psychedelic self-loathing, Upchuck twist sonic expectations into a resolute mantra of empowerment, preserving their muscular independence while moving forward into more nuanced expressionism.
Releasing today as the first entry in Suicide Squeeze’s 2022 digital singles series, “Night Calls” is a fascinating glimpse into the developing persona of an exciting new act.
Stream “Night Calls” on Spotify and catch Upchuck on tour this spring with Amyl & The Sniffers. Follow Upchuck on Instagram for the latest info.
Friday, April 08 @ The Earl w/ The Spits (Atlanta)
Saturday, April 09 @ Terminal West w/ Fuzz (Atlanta)
Sunday, April 10 @ Cats Cradle w/ Fuzz (Carrboro NC)
All dates below w/ AMYL & THE SNIFFERS
Friday, May 13 @ Fine Line (Minneapolis)
Saturday, May 14 @ Logan Square Auditorium (Chicago)
Monday, May 16 @ Danforth Music Hall (Toronto)
Tuesday, May 17 @ La Tulipe (Montreal)
Thursday, May 19 @ Brooklyn Steel (Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 21 @ Underground Arts (Philadelphia)
Sunday, May 22 @ Ram’s Head Live (Baltimore)
