Since the release of their first album “How Flowers Grow” in November 2021, the Santa Cruz, CA-based band SCOWL has been unstoppable. Their powerful performance of hardcore punk has landed them opening spots for Limp Bizkit at stadium shows last spring, a nationwide tour with Destroy Boys, their first European tour and loads of sick local shows that got them raging through 2022.
Today, the band is back with their new single “Opening Night“, streaming via Flatspot Records and all streaming services! With the new track, SCOWL‘s showing they’re not just a one-trick pony, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who digs punk rock energy in all its forms.
Scowl have also announced the upcoming EP, Psychic Dance Routine, set for release April 7th on Flatspot Records. Recorded and mixed by Grammy nominated producer Will Yip (L.S. Dunes, Turnover, Soul Blind), the EP finds Scowl continuing to push the boundaries of their sound and artistic presence, now laying somewhere between hardcore and alternative.
Lead single “Opening Night” is a perfect example, marrying edgy melodies with dynamic riffs. Vocalist Kat Moss’ delivery sounds more fiery than ever, singing on most of the track before heading into a frenzied growl. The video for the song, directed by guitarist Malachi Greene, sets the EP’s thematic stage, driven by a mystifying performance.
The new jam displays a powerful and energetic display of hardcore punk with elements of rock and punk ‘n’ roll that might be taken as a total curveball compared to their usual hardcore punk bangers. This one’s got a lighter sound, but don’t get it twisted – they’re still bringing the heat. It’s got a sick blend of punk rock vibes and a more melodic touch, and these guys totally kill it.
Speaking on writing “Opening Night”, Kat stated: “‘Opening Night’ is a song I’m particularly excited about because I really worked on this song’s structure with the boys in the band. I felt inspired by early 2000’s indie rock songs written by bands like The Strokes and Vampire Weekend. Lyrically this song takes a pretty literal stab at my experience of feeling jolted from stage to van, and back again, every single night. I also had experiences on tour where I was seeing faces in the crowd that belonged to people from my past, and it was pretty shocking.”
Scowl has quickly made a name for themselves as one of the most vivid and hard-working acts in the rock world. Since the release of their debut album, How Flowers Grow in late 2021, the band has become a powerful force to be reckoned with. Lauded for its reality-driven, aggressive blend of hardcore-punk, the critically-acclaimed album opened up new doors for the band, including a non-stop touring schedule. On Psychic Dance Routine, Scowl move far beyond the confines of what a typical “hardcore” band is considered, creating innovative song structures and personable lyrics. Their ability to be genre fluid intersects with their up for anything attitude, whether that means playing in a fast food drive-in parking lot or hitting the stage at Coachella. It’s all just part of the plan for the ever-evolving band that is Scowl.
The band is currently on tour across the United States and Canada with Show Me The Body, Jesus Piece, Zulu, and TRiPP JONES. This Spring they’ll make their Coachella debut and perform at an array of festivals including Flatspot World, Bamboozle, and Sick New World. Full dates below.
Tour Dates with Show Me The Body + Jesus Piece + Zulu + TRiPP JONES:
2/9 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
2/10 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
2/11 – Durham, NC @ Motorco
2/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
2/14 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
2/15 – Miami, FL @ Gramps
2/16 – Gainesville, FL @ The Wooly
2/17 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live
2/18 – Dallas, TX @ The Studio at The Factory
2/19 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
2/21 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
2/22 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
2/24 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
2/25 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
2/26 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
2/28 – Orange County, CA @ The Observatory
3/1 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
3/3 – Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz @ Vets Hall
3/4 – Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
3/5 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
3/7 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
3/8 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
3/9 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
3/10 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
3/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
3/12 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
3/14 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
3/15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Underground Music Venue
3/16 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/17 – Detroit, MI @ Tangent Gallery
3/18 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
3/19 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
3/21 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
3/22 – Albany, NY @ Fuze Box
3/23 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
3/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
4/8 – Brooklyn, NY – Flatspot World @ The Monarch
4/15 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/22 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
5/6 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Bamboozle
5/13 – Las Vegas, NV @ Sick New World
6/23-25 – Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Fest
9/22-24 – Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest
“After a year in which they’ve crisscrossed the globe, played everything from DIY shows to arenas and keep having to remind themselves they’re just getting started, what’s next for Scowl? Well, new music for one thing – somehow finding enough time to write new material that “we’re super excited about”, as well as getting back on the road. “The most important thing for me, is to express myself and be creative with my friends, whether that’s at festivals or in our community space we’ve put shows on for years. If anything, I’m just happy people connect,” Kat enthuses. Malachi agrees; “it’s beautiful seeing so many people finding hardcore… maybe they’ve been inspired to start their own bands, take risks and have fun. Because that’s what being in a band is. Anyone’s opinion of what you’re doing, as long as you’re happy? All that shit’s just noise.”” – dscvrd.co
