After a whirlwind of achievements and challenges in 2022, the Philadelphia-based hardcore punk band Soul Glo is back with a new single, “If I Speak (Shut The Fuck Up).” Known for their explosive live shows and fierce political ethos, the single comes as their first release after last year’s highly acclaimed album, “Diaspora Problems.”
Produced by GG Guerra and mixed by Steve Evetts, the track is an aural rollercoaster that begins with a slow burn before erupting into the band’s signature cacophonic hardcore punk frenzy, complete with pumping rhythms and wild rock ‘n’ roll beats. Mastered by Alan Douches, the new release promises to satiate the appetites of both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Formed in 2014, the band has faced its share of ups and downs, including a racial profiling incident in Missouri involving member GG Guerra in 2018, which led to cancelled shows and a public fundraiser for legal fees. Despite these challenges, the band’s momentum has only increased over the years. Signing to Epitaph Records in 2021 was a major milestone, as was their support for Sheer Mag on their East Coast US tour in the Fall of that year.
Last year, the band also underwent a significant line-up change when Ruben Polo stepped down following accusations of sexual assault by deception. Soul Glo took this in stride, continuing to support other bands like My Chemical Romance at the PNC Arena, embarking on co-headlining tours, and even performing at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.
In other news, Soul Glo is set to make their first-ever appearance in Japan this October. Furthermore, they’ve announced a co-headlining tour with Zulu, supported by Playytime, in what promises to be a historic blend of some of the most exciting, genre-defying hardcore acts around today.
“Soul Glo and Zulu coming together is like the Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers meeting. It’s exciting to see this nearly all-Black hardcore tour come to fruition,” says Soul Glo’s Pierce Jordan.
See the dates after a scroll.
Lyrics:
If I speak, I’m coming through elbows first; I’m finna spin yr beak
If I speak, it’s me on everyone in this bitch there will be no peace
If I speak, I’m on a read for a full 52 weeks
If I speak, I’m holding heat to yr feet I hope you ready to eat
If I speak, yr ass is getting creased at least, capisce?
You motherfuckers getting mined for yr ideas
(Shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
and fucking fracked for yr lil flippant feelings too
(I’m begging you to shut the fuck up)
You fuckin up the bag and you think you being real
(Shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
Always the stirrer but never the shit, how does it feel?
(I’m begging you to shut the fuck up)
Niggas always got the most opinions when they assed out
(Shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
What the fuck are any of your songs actually about?
(I’m begging you to shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
All of the effort niggas put toward talkin shit Could go further in their music cus isn’t this all it is
Every day some new lil dick, typing away, taking the piss
I know them fingers gotta hurt I can hear it in the riffs
I been called every name in every book of the dozens
but I knew who the fuck I was and who the fuck I wasn’t
It’s obvious to me when someone got nobody thats trusted
I can smell through cyberspace when you niggas is busted
Shut the fuck up
Shut the fuck up
Shut the fuck up
I’m begging shut the fuck up
By the way, there’s no mobility in dickriding
(Shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
seeing u waste yr energy this way is beyond tiring
(I’m begging you to shut the fuck up)
You niggas should be asking “Goddamn who gonna hire me”
(Shut the fuck up, shut the fuck up)
You niggas need to calm down and get a fuckin diary
(I’m begging you to shut the fuck up)
SOUL GLO Japanese dates:
SOUL GLO and ZULU on tour:
Sept. 7 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
Sept. 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Sept. 9 – Boise, ID – The Shredder
Sept. 10 – Seattle, WA – The Vera Project* (Zulu only)
Sept. 11 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
Sept. 13 – San Francisco, CA – Neck Of The Woods
Sept. 14 – Santa Cruz, CA – Santa Cruz Vets Hall
Sept. 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy Theatre
Sept. 16 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House
Sept. 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
Sept. 19 – Austin, TX – The Parish
Sept. 20 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
Sept. 21 – Houston, TX – The End
Sept. 22 – New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre
Sept. 25 – Memphis, TN – Growlers
Sept. 26 – Nashville, TN – Exit In
Sept. 27 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Sept. 28 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Sept. 29 – Washington, DC – The Howard Theatre
Sept. 30 – Richmond, VA – The Canal Club
Oct. 1 – Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
Oct. 2 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
Oct. 5 – Toronto, Canada – Velvet Underground
Oct. 6 – Detroit, MI – Tangent Gallery
