The Rumjacks and Flatfoot 56 have partnered to release a new split EP.
The bands are scheduled to release the new six-song EP May 6. A teaser for the album is streaming here. In anticipation of the record’s release, each band has released a new song from the EP and a companion video for the songs.
The Rumjacks’ new single is titled ‘Whitecaps.’ The song is a sociopolitically charged composition, according to front man Mike Rivkees.
“The song is vaguely about the rise of far right nationalist movements,” Rivkees said. “White caps meaning rough waters due to high wind… But also could be interpreted as KKK hoods. It just means something big and bad is coming politically. I wrote it based on seeing swastikas all over Eastern Europe. As a Jew, it rattles you to the core to know people want you to not exist.”
The ‘Whitecaps’ video is streaming here. The video is a simple presentation. It features the band standing around in an alley, drinking beer, talking, and singing along to the song as the song’s lyrics appear on screen and as the song plays over the visualization.
The song’s musical arrangement is a straight forward punk rock composition. It is everything that audiences have come to expect from the band, with the tight guitar riffs, and solid time keeping. Any punk purist will find the song engaging and entertaining.
Flatfoot 56’s contribution to the EP comes in the form of the song ‘Mud’ and its video. Band member Tobin Bawinkle talked about the song.
“The song ‘Mud’ is a song about the process of personal recovery that follows after the breakdown of a long-held and important relationship,” he said. “It equates the journey toward recovery to a long and unpaved road. The only way to make it through the deep ruts of this road is through forgiveness. This process is a long slog through the mud, but ends in ultimate peace. While the song’s content has a heavy-hearted theme, it is also laced with a hopeful undertone of optimism in the line “I’ll be doing, I’ll be doing just fine.”
The song’s musical arrangement is just as familiar for any punk purists. The accordion line is there, as is the banjo and punk rock guitar riffs and vocal harmonies. It is another song that likens itself to works from Dropkick Murphys and to those of The Rumjacks.
The song’s video features the band j a garage lined with lots of various items, performing its new single.
In other news, The Rumjacks has announced a new headlining tour, with Flatfoot 56 as support. The tour is scheduled to launch May 1 in Brooklyn, NY and to run through May 28 in Greeley, CO. The tour features performances in cities, such as St. Paul, MN; Newport, KY and Indianapolis, IN.
The tour’s schedule is noted below. The Rumjacks is currently wrapping up a tour with Dropkick Murphys. That tour wraps up Sunday in Boston, MA.
THE RUMJACKS Headline Dates (* with Flatfoot 56)
May 1 Brooklyn, NY @ The Brooklyn
May 2 Teaneck, NJ @philspicks Debonair Music Hall
May 3 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
May 5 Harrisburg, PA @ Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center
May 6 Morgantown, WV @ 123 Pleasant Street
May 7 Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe
May 8 Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s (Moonrunner Festival)
May 10 Lexington, KY @ The Burl
May 11 Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI
May 15 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
May 17 Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme *
May 18 Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe *
May 19 Milwaukee, WI @ Shanks Hall *
May 20 St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club *
May 21 Lincoln, NE @ 1867 Bar
May 23 Tulsa, OK @ The Whittier
May 24 Wichita, KS @ Barleycorns *
May 26 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre *
May 27 Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theatre *
May 28 Greeley, CO @ Moxi Theatre *
The Rumjacks released its latest EP, Brass For Gold, last month. More information on the record is available along with all of The Rumjacks’ latest news at:
Website: https://therumjacks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRumjacks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rumjacks
More information on Flatfoot 56 is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://flatfoot56.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatfoot56
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