Atlanta’s all female garage-punk trio The Coathangers just released their new album Suck My Shirt on Suicide Squeeze Records on Tuesday, March 18. In true punk fashion, The Coathangers started a band before they knew how to play instruments and seven years later they’ve put out a solid, punk rock n’ roll jammer. Suck My Shirt is the kind of album that grabs you by your (proverbial) balls and commands that you channel your aggression into the music and demands that you have a goddamn good time doing so. The band is also currently playing tour dates with the wild n’ crazy boys, The Black Lips, which is another good indicator that their live performance should match the album’s wickedly fierce attitude and devilishly pleasing set of songs.
Why We Dig Them: In a male dominated genre like punk rock, it’s always good to see more ladies representing, diversifying the genre and straight up kicking ass and taking names. From The Slits to The Coathangers, I want more, more, more.
Best Songs: The first track on the album “Follow Me” kicks down the door and comes barging in at full force with its pulsating, fast punk beat, raspy, Misfits-esque howls and crazed guitar chords. The accompanying video of fellow Atlantans, Mastodon, dressed up in drag, playing the song and featuring a surprise guest appearance from The Coathangers at the end is hilarious and highly entertaining.
We wouldn’t have sex, drugs and rock n’ roll without the drugs. “Adderall” covers the drugs part of that equation. The dark, danceable beat pairs with a contrast of brash vocals in the forefront of the mix, overlapping with forlorn, vocal echos and yelps that stir up feelings of desperation, desolation and depression. This track comes across gloomy yet endearing — it’s so good it hurts.
Instant gratification comes from the fast, loud and bratty “Smother” — pogo ’til you drop. It’s quickly followed by “Dead Battery” a song that teeters on the edge of Les Savy Fav like quirkiness with a most addictive guitar riff. The album ends with the lovey-dovey, girl-group flavored “Drive” – a pleasantly mellow, garage-pop surprise at the end of a ferocious album.
Three Words To Describe The Coathangers: Roaring — Bold — Boisterous
Upcoming Shows w/ The Black Lips:
3/20: Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA
3/21: El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – Enter our ticket giveaway!
3/22: Burgerama Fest – Santa Ana, CA
3/23: Don Quixote’s – Felton, CA
3/24: Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
3/25: Assembly – Sacramento, CA
Words: Emily Saex
