Exotic Fruitica releases their debut single, the ferociously hard-hitting “Dirtiest Scum,” which features Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers) on lead guitar.
“Dirtiest Scum” delivers a rebellious punch, challenging the monotonous norms of compliance. It jolts forward with a pulsating cadence akin to an empowered strut, as lead vocalist Jon French gives voice to his disdain through a raucous and untamed style that conjures echoes of the primal rawness of early 90s hardcore, fused with the modernity of contemporary post-punk rebels like Viagra Boys.
His words weave tales of unsettling escapades, of entanglements with a menacing death cult, and of losing composure, painting a picture steeped in sarcasm and tinged with a potent taste of nihilism. Each note and phrase exudes an unmistakable sardonic aura that renders the song with an edgy, gritty character. The end result is a double-barreled blast of fresh Texan punk, potent and unapologetically authentic.
“This song originated in a previous iteration of the band, Exotic Fruits, and when we decided to release it under our new namesake I reached out to Paul to see if he would lay down some guitar leads. What he did to the song was super sonic. He really brought his iconic tone and angular guitar style to it, reminding me of the first time I heard ‘Who Was In My Room Last Night.’ When I asked Paul about what it was like working on the song he said ‘it’s a little bit humbling to be asked to contribute to something that already oozes with powerful guitars. ‘Dirtiest Scum’ is mean and aggressive, just my kind of song.’ As a punk band from Austin, Tx having a prolific noise rocker collaborate on our first single is everything. Such an honor.”
The video unfurls a narrative of rogue antics, featuring a pair of hooligans navigating the urban labyrinth, leaving a trail of miniature chaos in their wake. The gritty audio, blurred by fuzz and underscored by powerful guitar rhythms, lays the groundwork for a confrontational attitude – the Fugazi t-shirt spotted in the visuals doesn’t go unnoticed. All these elements culminate in an exposition of noise punk’s unrefined allure, a captivating blend of audacious rebellion and gritty appeal.
Watch the video for “Dirtiest Scum” below:
Born out of the eccentric cityscape of Austin, Texas, in the year of seismic shifts, 2022, Exotic Fruitica sprung from the synergistic union of guitarist and vocalist, Jon French, and drummer, Aaron Gilligan. Their friendship, weathered through the passage of time, bore the creative fruits that culminated in this vibrant project.
A hiatus that stretched for nearly a baker’s dozen years separated their first indie collaboration in 2009 from this renewed sonic exploration. The perseverance of Gilligan, a proud New Zealander, is a testament to his dedication. After twelve attempts at the green card lottery, he eventually secured his passage to the US.
In the midst of global uncertainty, during the most challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021, Gilligan planted his roots permanently in the Texas soil. The band then welcomed a new sound wave in the form of Charlie Cruz, a gifted lead guitarist, expanding their ranks to a robust trio. Thus, Exotic Fruitica evolved, an eclectic fusion born of long-standing friendships and the relentless pursuit of a shared musical vision.
On August 10th, 2023, the soundwaves will reverberate with the thunderous release of Exotic Fruitica’s debut studio album, under the eclectic umbrella of Mr. Pink Records. “Cruel,” their inaugural opus, with its scorching fuzz, discordant noise, and relentless drum cadence, finds its natural habitat in the gritty DIY clubs frequented in cosmopolitan cities such as New York, Berlin, Toronto, London, and Stockholm, rather than their current abode, Austin, Texas.
Imbued heavily with a resurgent energy drawn from the early 90s post-hardcore era — a testament to influential powerhouses like Metz — and seasoned with a modern-day post-punk zest found in the music of Viagra Boys and Crows, this Texan punk ensemble is forging a formidable sonic identity. Their raw, audacious sound is steeped in defiant grit and attitude; its foundation anchored in unhinged vocal stylings, absurdly provocative lyrics, and punishing drums. At the forefront, pitch-bending guitars charge and pulsate against the steady rhythm of the kick drum, forming a merciless assault on the senses.
This is a soundtrack crafted for the bold, the audacious, and the lovers of unpredictability. Certainly, Exotic Fruitica’s music isn’t for the faint-hearted or those seeking the comfort of predictability. Prepare for an experience that is both challenging and thrillingly invigorating.
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