Semi-Famous – Destroy Ourselves

A common question in our existence is whether art is imitating life or vice versa, in this case it would seem that reality is catching up with art. Let me explain, back in 2001 John “Jughead” Pierson (Screeching Weasel / Even In Blackouts / The Mopes / The Mitochondriacs) wrote his Weasels In A Box novel, which un-coincidentally is getting a re-release on paperback and audiobook, the latter voiced by Jughead himself. Weasels In A Box featured the fictional band Semi Famous, who have now been fleshed out with an all star cast featuring Jughead himself alongside the talents of Ryan Rockwell (Mixtapes), Billy Brown (Crash and Burn / Ashers / The Unseen), Tyson Cornell (Scooby Don’t), Nanako Nishio, Mass Giorgini, Zach Kibbee, Christopher Appelgren (Lookout Records) and Poli van Dam (The Bombpops / The Poli Van Dam Band).

Fictional bands are not uncommon, whether it’s the well observed parody of Bad News or Spinal Tap, the borderline cartoon creations of Josie & The Pussycats or Pink Slip (Freaky Friday) or even the covenient movie composites of the likes of Stillwater (Almost Famous), The Fabulous Stains, and the Ray Winstone fronted The Looters from the same movie, and Crucial Taunt (Wayne’s World). This is none of those things, Semi-Famous is a return to what inspired Jughead in the first place, pop punk. When I say pop punk we’re not talking about the polished chart bothering side of the genre, this is from the ragged roots of the now much maligned genre, with all new material written by many of those who sowed the seeds for the way the punk world was to shift as the new millennium loomed on the horizon. Now the formerly fictitious band are set to release their debut album, Destroy Ourselves, on July 26th.

Of course much time has passed since the orgins of this fictional band, and even longer has elapsed since many of the assorted collective started down the punk path. But for those who recall Jughead’s heyday, or have a fondness for any of the contributors past and present acts, this is a hit of energetic, raw and melodic punk rock that should hit the spot for anyone who has a love for what became known as pop punk, to me it’s melodic punk rock, but then again I’m probably about the same age as some of the people on this album. This is not a love letter to the past, this is people getting back to their roots and bringing a fresh perspective, this is catchy, driven punk rock, done just as it oughta be. If you love the vintage output from likes of Screeching Weasel, The Methadones, The Dwarves or The Queers then this formerly fictional outfit is what you’ve been waiting for.

Destroy Ourselves will be released on July 26th via Rare Bird Records & Striped Records with vinyl pre-orders available for bone opaque and standard black vinyl.