The first time I heard Podacter (ex Crucial Dudes) was after Brandon Gepfer mentioned them in our Midwest/Midatlantic column. You know the kind of band that you just can’t keep your feet still too? That’s what we have here. So I’m thrilled we have a stream for you today from their new LP ‘Plays The Millennial Blues’.
Pop punk bands talking about anxiety issues always hits home with me, as someone who is always struggling to get a grip on my own anxiety. It’s something a lot of people have issues with and also get scared to be open about, which is why when people are open about it in the punk scene it’s important (note: on the subject I’d suggest reading The Runout’s Anixety in Punk series). ‘Plays The Millennial Blues’ hits home with this, urging us all to take a stand.
Singer Billy Bollinger says on the album; “As far back as I can remember, I’ve always dealt with extreme anxiety. I constantly muse over the deep black nothing that awaits us on the other side of death and at times, feel as if there’s 10,000 lbs of pressure weighing down on my chest. I self-medicate to deal with my own inadequacies and instabilities while sitting safely behind the saccharine glow of my iPhone screen. I watch comfortably from my modest, suburban home as another unarmed black male is gunned down in cold blood in the streets. I plug up my ears with headphones to drown out the echoes of homophobic slurs and screeching cat calls. I recognize that my problems are small in comparison. I have the Millennial Blues, and thus, this record was birthed: a perpetual left-swipe to the bullshit that plagues our brains, a call for open discussions about mental health, and a rally cry to acknowledge our own senses of entitlement and privilege to be supportive of those not afforded the same luxury.”
‘Connections’ is a great slice of anthemic, pop punk which you will immediately get heart eyes over if you like bands like Latterman or Spraynard. Pop punk with substance. Give it a listen below:
‘Plays The Millennial Blues’ will be out on CD, Vinyl and Tape on August 14th. You can pre-order the LP here!
The band are playing at the FEST this year in Gainesville and have some tour dates before that:
7/31 – Atlantic City, NJ @ The Boneyard w/Broken Field Runner
8/2 – Long Island, NY @ The Wood Shop w/Broken Field Runner
8/21 – Rochester, NY @ Boulder Coffee Company
8/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ TBA (record release show)
10/31 – @Gainesville, FL @ THE FEST