PREMIERE: PUNK CRUSH Shares Reflective New Single ‘BLACK OUT!’
by JAMES DURAN
It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with PUNK CRUSH and luckily for us, the LA-Based noise-masters have just shared a burning new single ‘BLACK OUT!’. Following the sporadic-release of their last few music videos, PUNK CRUSH never fails to bring the emotionally-gripping moments of life front and center on the platform of nasty guitar tones, primal drumming, and screaming.
The Ann Molin-directed music video is the perfect catalyst for the bands new single, contrasting the groups signature sound with solemn images. Lyrically, ‘BLACK OUT!’ touches on coming of age and the literal act of pushing yourself to the point in which you black out - and reaching a time in life where you’re finally moving on from it, in lead-singer G Leonardo’s words ‘It is about the last golden remnants of invincibility wearing off with age, the quiet nights driving home with your guardian angels protecting you, and accepting that despite our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.’
We spoke with PUNK CRUSH for some more background on their new single, and what the trio’s next moves are:
What is the track “BLACK OUT!” about? What was the creative process like when you were writing the song?
‘BLACK OUT!’ is one of the last songs that we'd written that was based on a completely true story. It is also one of our oldest songs, and expanding the sound to include bass instantly filled up the track and made the song much more full and lush. This was always one of our faves to play live, as there is so much emotion that comes through when you open yourself up enough to talk about something as dark and embarrassing as blacking out.
One of my favorite memories (lol, ironic) about this song is playing it for a Girls Rock Camp, whose demographic skews pretty young. After we finished this song, one of the campers raised her hand and asked what "blacking out" meant, much to our chagrin. How do you explain drinking in excess to fill the gaping existential void to a child?
This song is a reminder to never play a show drunk ever again, to remember that your friends really love you, and to realize that forgiving yourself is a long but worthwhile journey. It is about the last golden remnants of invincibility wearing off with age, the quiet nights driving home with your guardian angels protecting you, and accepting that despite our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.
PUNK CRUSH OPENING FOR ROMANDA HAMMER AT THE ECHOPLEX