I first got stoked on post-punk DC band Priests when I heard “USA (Incantations)” off their EP Tape Two. It’s less of a song than it is a spoken word statement that outlines exactly how our country was wrongly built upon a constitution designed solely by rich, white, landowning men. The narrator recites facts and statistics that demonstrate how the US is built upon a false idea of freedom and fairness, yet popular culture and public education reinforces the opposite sentiment. Priests cleverly dub this “he hit me and it felt like a kiss logic.” That’s when I really knew this band wasn’t asking for my attention, they were commanding it.
Priests’ songs deftly combine ‘70s punk with surf-rock, which sounds weird on paper but somehow it works perfectly and makes for some extremely compelling and addictive tracks. Frantic, surf-y guitar riffs and bursts of Fugazi-like bass lines are what made Tape Two so powerful and had me pressing “repeat” quite a few times. That and Katie Alice Greer’s vengeful, yelp-yell, which sounds like the lovechild of Mika Miko-era Jennifer Clavin and Pussy Whipped-era Kathleen Hanna. Now Priests are back with Bodies and Control and Money and Power, an EP sure to be just as full of politically-charged lyrics, furious guitar-shredding, and fiercely defiant vocals.
The EP isn’t out until June 3rd but below you’ll find their latest track, the insanely catchy “Doctor.” Priests definitely don’t disappoint on this one, with spastic yet melodic guitarwork, manic vocals, and one seriously kickass chorus. Priests make me want to chant this song at my next dental checkup through drool and blood while the dentist tells me I don’t floss enough. If you didn’t already hate going to the doctor, you will now. Listen to “Doctor” then peep Priests’ upcoming tour dates below!
6/2: Washington DC @ Black Cat
6/3: New York, NY @ ABC No Rio (early)
6/3 New York, NY @ Cake Shop (late)
6/4: Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Playhouse
6/5: Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
6/6: Detroit, MI @ Trumbullplex
6/7: Chicago, IL @ Bric-A-Brac Records (daytime instore)
6/7: Chicago, IL @ Animal Kingdom
6/8: Milwaukee, WI @ Bremen Cafe
6/10: Grand Forks, ND @ Ojata Records/DogMahal DogHaus
6/12: Missoula, MT @ Ole Beck VFW Post
6/13: Olympia, WA @ The Northern
6/15: Seattle WA @ Black Lodge
6/18: Oakland, CA @ 1234 Go! Records
6/19: San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
6/20: Los Angeles, CA @ The Church on York
6/21: San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe
6/23: Phoenix, AZ @ The Trunk Space
6/25: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk (inside)
6/26: Houston, TX @ Walter’s
6/27: New Orleans, LA @ 2433 Onzaga St
6/28: Atlanta, GA @ Wonderroot
6/29: Raleigh, NC @ Nice Price Books + Records
Pre-order Bodies and Control and Money and Power from Don Giovanni Records by hopping over here!
Photos via dongiovannirecords.com
