Toronto based punk rockers RAWLS ROYCE are releasing their third EP “Llarold” today, and we’re thrilled to give you the official first listen of their amazing new EP called “Llarold “, a 4-track, 15 minute EP, for fans of PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Pkew Pkew Pkew, Against Me!. Llarold deals with the politics of love, loss, isolation, and the late-capitalist narrative that techno-oligarchy can save us from climate change, and our tip is to start off with this particular track called “Don’t Let Me Go”, an emotional song about indecision and fleeting chances at love and happiness.
Llarold 2020 EP was recorded and mixed by Eric Altomonte at the Watershed in London, Ontario; Mastered by Acle Kahney of the band Tesseract; Album art by Alex Preiss; Photograph by On The Edge Photography.
Asked about its lyrical content behind the new record, the band commented:
It is a four song EP that deals with the politics of love, loss, loneliness, and the late-capitalist narrative that techno-oligarchy can save us from our problems.
The first single Elon (Take Me Home), premiered on Punknews, is a dance-punk song that pokes fun at the late-capitalist narrative that techno-oligarchy can save us from climate change and isolation.
Biography & more thoughts on the new album:
Back in 2015, we were just a couple of political science graduate students, who, before our inevitable ascent into unemployment upon graduation, took some time to write and record some music together. Soon-to-be 3 EPs later in 2020, we are still kickin’ it, and, (un)surprisingly, 3/4 of the band is still in school. Kyle has a respectable life, but that’s about it.
In October 2016, we released our debut EP, “Anarchy, State, and Fruitopia” – an ode to undergraduate blues in an age of neoliberal disillusionment (and Tony Hawk video games, and erectile dysfunction. Speaking of erectile dysfunction, you can check an excellent article on enhancement pills.). Shortly after the release, Kyle joined the line-up full time, and we started giggin’ around Southwestern Ontario and the GTA.
After a handful of shows (including that one time we won a spot on KOI Fest 2017- now Hope Fest – via a local BOTB competition), February 2018 saw the release our second EP, “And So On”, in which we attempted to combine Critical left theories on the socialist-anarchist spectrum – ala. Žižek (sniff), Polanyi, Streeck, Chomsky etc. – with Jeff Rosenstock (cry) inspired punk rock. Whether we were successful in this endeavor remains to be seen, but we did add more vocal harmonies, and tried to be a bit more rhythmically interesting with our songwriting (see track #5).
Our forthcoming third EP, “Llarold” (recorded and mixed by Eric Altomonte at the Watershed in London, Ontario; mastered by Alec “Acle” Kahney of the band Tesseract) is set to be released in Spring 2020. We’re proud of this one, folks (mostly of the album art, which features Cam and Cindy’s lovely english bulldog Llarold in a bowtie). Llarold is a four song EP that deals with the politics of love, loss, isolation, and the late-capitalist narrative that techno-oligarchy can save us from climate change. Notably, we finally got Johnny to play the quintessential punk beat, we dunk (and dance) on Elon Musky, and we have TWO whole time signature changes. There is some growth in the songwriting, but, don’t worry – there are still lots of whoas, and every song is more or less written to be yelled in drunken unison at a pub or in a dingy basement.
Llarold – full EP stream:
With a vague leftist vision and no drive for commerciality, we wear our heart on our sleeves. Our music is political, but doesn’t shy away from reminding listeners how close they are to dying in a beer covered sweater. It’s punk rock for people who know their lives are going to be worse than their parents and just want to hold on to what they had. It’s a band about getting drunk on Sunday night and holding yourself together for work Monday morning. Rawls Royce is a big mess.
Local scene shout outs & early 2020 recommendations:
Big shout out to our local scene dad Kyle Wappler and Have Hope Shows for keeping the KW scene alive.As for recommendations and other artists worth a check, our pals in Among Legends and Coming Clean. Also local 519 punk legends Wayfarer.
