Review: The Drowns / Plizzken – “Split”

Pirates Press Records – 13 Jan 2023

The Drowns (USA) and Plizzken (Germany) join forces for a fun, international split single.

Seattle’s The Drowns had a good year in 2022, releasing a single (a Slade cover at that) and a six song 12″. The band rose to prominence with their second full length, the modern punk classic Under Tension in 2020. Their sound has taken a decidedly rock and roll turn since then, and through hard touring they’ve built a significant audience in Europe.

Plizzken are the straightforward (English language) punk band of German street punk legend Sebi Stomper (Stomper 98). They’re labelmates of The Drowns and dropped their excellent debut, …And Their Paradise is Full of Snakes, in 2021. It was aggressive but catchy punk, and its German accent made it seem that much angrier. 

The Drowns kick off this international split with “The Lost Boys of Suburbia”, a song that would have been right at home on their 2022 EP Lunatics. It’s a ‘70s rock inspired romp, and the band sounds like they’re having a lot of fun. It’s got ample hooks and might remind you of a more aggressive Sweet or Dr. Feelgood. It’s like glam meets pub rock with a little extra shred for good measure. 

Plizzken contribute the earworm “One More Time” to their side of the record. It feels a little poppier than their full length, and is undeniably catchy. The song about life on the road also feels at least slightly more lighthearted than the generally heavy subject matter on last year’s LP. The good news is, “One More Time” promises to be a teaser for more things to come from Plizzken later this year. 

Pairing these Pirates Press favorites feels a no-brainer. Fans of either band will almost certainly enjoy the other. Ultimately, both The Drowns and Plizzken provide great new songs for this fun little split. 

For vinyl fiends: Beautiful cover art on this good old fashioned two song, 45 RPM seven inch record. First pressing is limited to 500 copies on oxblood wax, so don’t sleep on it.