Social media is still such and odd duck. Yet still the best place for discovering lots of rad bands out there that have flown under our radar. Sometimes it’s the simple thing of a band we’ve missed liking something we posted or randomly following us on a given one of our socials to cause a deep dive into what they’re all about (Trust us, kiddies, we’re paying attention) which sets us off on a tangent which led to a new post like the one you’re about to read on Portland, Maine’s Viqueen!
At this point, we have no idea what turned us onto the delight that is Viqueen’s latest badmouth (We blame that on the abundance of tabs seemingly perennially open on our desktop) but here we are. And here is a killer record that’s out now featuring about 33 minutes of unbridled Rawk fury. Like new school Bad Religion but viciouser (Apparently not a word) in a world where the Misfits are still making music (With a little Son Of Sam thrown in for good measure). Still with us? Great, because badmouth is a TRIP!
Not to be confused with the Mutoid Man track of the same name (Although now that we think of it, MM’s is “Bridgeburner”), “Bridge Burner” is a fiery opener that covers a lot of what you’re gonna get on this raucous Rawk and/or Roll rekkid. Heavy, loud and to the point with Courtney Cavanagh’s bass stirring the pot to start, Dylan Jarrett’s slamming drums synching up nicely next to that low end and Alexa Rae shredding on the guitar and nicely alternating between a fierce howl and a melodious croon for the catchy ass chorus.
“Smoke and Mirrors” is kinda like that aforementioned new school Misfits/Son Of Sam that we mentioned with massive melodies and crushing choruses with “Sick Sad World” settling into a slick groove after a crushing opening salvo. “Gutless” is low end heavy and once again features Cavanagh’s glorious rumble that’d easily sound as at home in either the ’90’s Alt Rawk (Think Husker Du) or Post-Hardcore (Think Quicksand) scene as it does here and “Love Song” has Rae utilizing an impressive scream toward song’s end during an especially rousing breakdown.
“Ride Or Die” displays some bouncy bravado and a riotous scorcher of a main riff from Rae and a stunning stop/start chorus while “Bottle Flu” crushes and careens toward a vibrant chorus with “E.A.D.” slapping especially hard as Rae brings an absolutely commanding presence vocally (And obvs in the guitar department as well). Jarrett purposefully pummels during the beginning of “Sinking” which hits fast and never lets up, “Spite Queen” follows suit and goes even harder, Cavanagh and Jarrett lock horns as a rhythm section super power while Rae leads the charge into many a chant-a-long verses for “Unholy”, and “Paper Tiger” is the first to slow it down even a little and it’s the last track on this twelve song opus which yet again highlights the songwriting and playing power of each member making up Viqueen.
badmouth is out now and you should go here to not only immediately save and hear the record for yourself but to also keep up on ALL things Viqueen via their socials.