It is ironic that a really bad day was all StrateJacket needed in order for things to go their way. After forming in 2019, the alt-rock trio were forced to wait until pandemic restrictions lifted before sharing their music with the world. During this time, they penned their debut single, “Bad Start,” which was released in September of last year. The song touched on hopelessness and feeling out of place, summarizing the pandemic experience for the band. It was close to being excluded from StrateJacket’s upcoming debut album altogether, but after watching how much of a crowd pleaser it was for fans at shows, the guys knew that they had something special. The album is now named after the track, and it is expected to drop later this year. Until the album drops, audiences can hear a new radio edit version of the single along with follow-up single, “Be My Drug.”
Understandably, the radio edit version of “Bad Start” contains slight alterations to make it mainstream-appropriate. Overall, the song is not much different, as its angsty spirit and length remain. The only real change is the removal of the expletives, so fans of the original can still enjoy the track while now having the ability to play it for their grandparents or younger siblings.
The follow-up single, “Be My Drug,” is in a similar lane as “Bad Start,” showcasing the band’s feisty punk sound. Complete with gravelly bass and hypnotic pop melodies, “Be My Drug” focuses on giving into temptation. We are enveloped in a coming-of-age moment through the lyrics, reflected in lyrics like, “Pulled me close to whisper something in my ear.” The excitement of the moment then comes through in the anthemic choruses, where we hear, “Won’t! You! Be my drug tonight?” You can listen below.
The big sounds heard on these singles give us an idea of what to expect on the band’s debut album, Bad Start. Telling us more about the project, vocalist and bass player Fabian Angel shares,
“When people hear the album, I hope they feel a little nostalgic. Even though the music scene right now is dominated by pop, rock & roll is still alive. I want our listeners to feel like kids with guitars and basses in their bedrooms and that they’re not alone. I want them to know that there are still little bands that want to be big bands.”
You can listen to “Bad Start (Radio Edit)” and “Be My Drug” on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Later this month, StrateJacket will be playing a few shows in the US. They just added dates in Albuquerque on March 13, San Antonio on March 15, and Los Angeles on March 21. Tickets and more information can be found here.
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