“ Had we made this record the way we made previous albums and were more of sound mind than we were in that moment , that song wouldn ' t have gone on the record . But I ' m so happy it ' s on there . It ' s such an absurd way to start one of our records . It kind of sets the tone for the entire album and we all had to be in this loopy headspace to understand that this could actually be a good decision . And it ' s one I ' m really happy with .”
The last song , “ PUPTHEBAND Inc . Is Filing For Bankruptcy " is similarly unhinged with the band throwing any and all ideas into the song to “ make it as stupid as possible .” This includes a “ saxophone freak out for no reason ” and random parts where Babcock is “ secretly ” recorded from another room . “ We just made all these really stupid decisions where in the past we would ' ve been like no , why would we ever do this ?” says Babcock . “ Part of being on our fourth record , being in this weird studio , having cabin fever , and letting everything go is that we let those stupid ideas happen and just trusted that maybe if we found them funny , other people might find them funny or connect with them . Maybe people will hate those two songs more than
anything , but those are two of my favorite songs on the record .” Though PUP was hellbent on challenging themselves and expanding their horizons on this record , some things remained the same , like Babcock ’ s penchant for grappling with hopelessness , existential dread , and what he calls “ Grim Reaping – the idea that we are all reaping what we sow .”
“ In all of the previous records I kind of grapple with existential dread and depression ,” says Babcock . “ It naturally comes out when I write . I feel like I need to write when I ’ m in that headspace . I kind of view writing as a form of personal therapy . I rarely know what I ' m gonna write about and the writing is usually like , I feel fucked up . Maybe I have to write a song and that will help me figure it out and sometimes it does .” He admits he was in “ a really dark place ” when he wrote Morbid Stuff . The process was cathartic , but he says he grew tired of talking about his depression . He ' s in a better headspace now , but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s all sunshine and rainbows from here on out .
On this album , he addresses the horrible state of the world through a personal lens . “ I have an equally bleak outlook on the world and life this time around and I wanted to express that through a personal lens because every time I tried to express it in the form of a political song or protest song it just sounds so fake and contrived coming out of my mouth .”
“ Even if I truly believe in my very core the things I ' m saying , that ' s just a talent I haven ' t been able to develop . Saying those things without sounding like an asshole ,” he continues . “ I just don ' t think the world needs someone who looks like me shouting at them about what to believe . So , I try to put it through a personal lens and express how I feel about the state of things , which is obviously not great But I think it ' s something people can easily relate to , or I hope people can more easily relate to . Definitely more so than the times , I tried to write political songs . Those are so hard to stomach sometimes .” Though the record is a response to the awfulness that was happening around him , it ’ s not a pandemic
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AN EATERY , BAR , PREMIER LIVE MUSIC VENUE , AND EVENT SPACE
FRI , MAY 13
DISCIPLE
TUES , MAY 17
BROJOB
FALSIFIER
SAT , MAY 14
CARNIFEX SUICIDE SILENCE LORNA SHORE
WED , MAY 18
INFECTED RAIN
GONE IN APRIL
FRI , MAY 20
ELTON
& BILLY
THE TRIBUTE
SAT , MAY 28
SAVING ABEL
SAT , MAY 21
MOCK STAR KICKED OUTTA CHOIR
SUN , MAY 29
BEATALLICA record . While there ’ s an element of that ( it ’ s kind of unavoidable at this point ), the record is more about learning to cope with “… harsh realities whether it ' s the social and political realities we ' re facing today or more simple realities like growing older and doors closing around you , while other doors are not opening up . That ' s something we all have to face .”
Getting older ? Existential dread ? Coming to terms with harsh realities ? Sounds like a grim record . But despite its darkness , the band ’ s tongue-in-cheek humor is firmly in place . This is best seen in the album ’ s branding . Whereas Morbid Stuff had a wilderness survival theme , THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND ’ s theme is all about the corporate world . Its branding and messaging are ripped from a vintage training video . Fans are welcomed to be “ Brand Ambassadors ” with new merch with “ PUP THE BAND INC ”
continues on page 24
SAT , JUN 04
BLAZE YA DEAD HOMIE
KING KLICK
SUN , JUL 17
PUDDLE OF MUDD
FRI , JUL 01
TRAPT
SAT , AUG 06
THE WAILERS
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