Learning Curve Records announces the April 28th release of Broken Water, the new album by Elephant Rifle.
Stream the official music video for first single "The New Wimpkiller" – a wonderfully retro dose of psychedelic eye candy – here: https://northerntransmissions.com/the-new-wimpkiller-by-elephant-rifle/
Pre-order the album, here: https://learningcurverecords.bandcamp.com/album/broken-water
From Reno, Nevada, Elephant Rifle's freak flag-waving brand of Western noise rock falls in a crack between the most jagged crags of '90s noise-rock, '80s hardcore, and '70s classic rock. A 2011 review from The AV Club stated: "Amid strangled guitars and amputated rhythms, the group unleashes all manner of demons, psychic and sonic. But it’s done with an underdog abandon and sordid sense of humor."
New album Broken Water is the prolific band's ninth release since 2010. First single "The New Wimpkiller" has frontman Brad Bynum howling with a quavering twang that calls to mind Jello Biafra, or maybe Al Johnson of U.S. Maple, while the band drives forward with burliness of a Melvins/Jesus Lizard jam session and the quirks of guys raised on Trout Mask Replica and Grateful Dead bootlegs.
"The New Wimpkiller" is intended as an act of defiance against the conservative powers that be, explains Bynum. "They say they need more money, simple fact of survival," he sings. "They say they need more armies, they have to smash their rivals / They say I’ve got no value, simple act of denial / They’ve never seen me gyrate, let’s give them an eyeful."
Speaking about the song, he states: "There are all these tough guy 'strong man' politicians around these days. And they’re all so full of shit and need to be mocked whenever possible. Trump, of course, but not just Trump. For example, here in Reno, there’s this shitty tough guy lawyer who ran for governor. When people like that get any power at all, they try to make some money, beef up the police and military, and they don’t see any value in the arts. But it’s fun to me to imagine some flamboyant 'Footloose'-style dancing up in the guy’s grill."
Alongside explosive rockers like "The New Wimpkiller," Broken Water contains pensive acoustic laments, scrappy punk ragers, and more. Through all the album's peaks and valleys, a certain Nevada vibe ties things together. "I like it when music sounds like it comes from a place, and I hope our music reflects Nevada." says Bynum. "Nevada is all about wide open wild spaces, and I hope our music evokes that." Indeed, Broken Water evokes Elephant Rifle's home state, by way of an array of Western-tinged sounds permeating the mix. In addition to its core of drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, the band added piano, organ, acoustic guitars, dulcimer, theremin, and a slew of percussion. "It was rewarding to get to explore some different sides of our musical personalities," says Bynum.
Broken Water was recorded by Tim Green (The Fucking Champs, Nation of Ulysses) at Louder Studios. The cover art was created by acclaimed Nevada artist Michael Sarich.
Elephant Rifle will be hitting the road in May with Facet and will be performing at this year's Caterwaul Festival, a stacked noise rock fest in Minneapolis curated by none other than Learning Curve Records owner Rainer Fronz. Bands scheduled to play include Cherubs, Djunah, and dozens more.
May 20 - Reno, NV @ The Holland Project w/ Facet, Nerver
May 21 - Carson City, NV @ Shoe Tree Brewing w/ Facet, Reptoid
May 22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon w/ Facet, Baby Gurl
May 23 - Denver, CO @ Seventh Circle w/ Facet, Quits, Almanac Man
May 24 - Kansas City, MO @ Farewell w/ Facet
May 25 - Des Moines, IA @ The Dark Slide w/ Facet
May 26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Caterwaul Festival
May 27 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
Tracklist:
1) Kübler-Ross
2) The New Wimpkiller
3) Bel Biv Devoid
4) Dry Nurse
5) All Locomotive, No Tracks
6) Every Billionaire Is a Crime
7) Cig Stain White
8) Medicinal Leeches
9) Waxxxing Gibbbous
10) Spores, Molds, and Fungus
11) Private Beach
Lineup:
Brad Bynum - vocals, piano, electric piano, organ
Clinton Wallace - electric and acoustic guitars, dulcimer, organ, vocals
Scaught Bates - bass guitar, bongos, jaw harp, shakers, theremin, vocals
Michael Young - drums, percussion, vibraphone
Discography:
Christian House of Girls EP (2010, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Teenage Lover EP (2011, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Party Child (2012, Humaniterrorist Record Collective/Satan’s Pimp)
Dirty Pillows Mixtape EP (2013, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Ivory (2015, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Hunk (2018, Humaniterrorist Record Collective/No List)
Teach You to Dance (2020, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Satyriasis EP (2021, Humaniterrorist Record Collective)
Broken Water (2023, Learning Curve/No List)
Photo by Metal Jeff
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