Pirates Press Records – 08 Aug 2025
The Drowns capture a little of that live magic in the grooves.
The Drowns have been making great records since 2018, but on stage is where they’ve always truly shined. They’re a throwback in many ways. They’re always on the road, earning fans one sweaty gig at a time. After three full lengths and a bunch of singles and EPs, they’ve finally captured that live magic on wax. Live at Rebellion was recorded at the legendary English punk festival, where the band has amassed a significant following. The fact that The Drowns were able to win over so many 60-something first wave punks might tell you everything you need to know.
Half of the dozen songs are from The Drowns’ fan favorite and breakthrough 2020 LP, Under Tension. Three more come from their most recent LP, 2024’s Blacked Out. Their 2018 debutView From the Bottom and the 2022 EP Lunatics are represented by a song each. As you’d expect, things are a bit rougher around the edges than on the band’s well polished studio records.
Guitarist/vocalist Aaron “Rev” Peters’ voice is that much gruffer. He also hits harder on background vocals when bassist/vocalist Andy Wylie is handing the leads. The other thing that really pops in the live mix is the lead guitar, and it gives the recording a slightly more aggressive feel. If the set feels a bit rushed at times, it only adds to the Seattle quartet’s tense energy.
Forged by spending night after night on stage, The Drowns are in top form. Old favorites like “Black Lung”, “Wolves on the Throne”, “Hold Fast”, “Demons” and “Them Rats” sound great, and so do the newer ones like “Ketamine & Cola”, “Live Like Yer Dyin’” and “Just the Way She Goes”. Their revved up cover of The Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz” is the icing on the cake.
For vinyl fiends: There are 300 copies each of Halloween Orange and Blood Red Pinwheel, Candy Corn Marble and Eruption Marble. It’s unclear how the gorilla on the cover relates to Rebellion or The Drowns, but it’s badass regardless.
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Part-time punk writer, suburban dad and angry old man. Follow my adventures on the Punk Till I Die podcast!