Crobot and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have announced a June 3 global release date for the band’s new studio album, Feel This.
The first reveal is “Better Times”, for which a video can be found below. Singer Brandon Yeagley shares, “No need to search any further, #Beardos! Better Times are here to stay! You know we wouldn’t have it any other way. Buckle up and strap it down because Crobot is comin’ back to town. And with smiles on our faces, we’ve got all the right grooves that hit in all the right places. So, grab your junk - food that is - and tune into this special sneak preview of the studio, kids! See you out there this Spring for some ass shakin, ear smackin’ thangs! Ca-caaaaawwwww!”
With tens of millions of streams, countless shows, and global acclaim, Brandon Yeagley [vocals], Chris Bishop [guitar], Tim Peugh [bass], and Dan Ryan [drums] realize their vision like never before on their fifth full-length studio album. The release follows 2019s Top 10 Heatseekers album Motherbrain, whose cumulative streams have surpassed 30 million. Twenty-one million of which were for the goliath single "Low Life," a Top 10 single at Active Rock radio, with a 29-week run on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
"This is the record we've been wanting to do ever since we started," exclaims Brandon. "We've always thought of ourselves as a live act," he continues. "When Jay Ruston described his process of recording, we were beyond excited about getting in and getting our hands dirty. It involved performing live as a unit and finishing all instruments on a song before moving on to the next. We recorded 16 songs in 21 days, which is a feat in itself."
Feel This is a tale of perseverance. "Through constant struggles, we learn more what it's like to be human. Our shortcomings and strengths alike make us a unique species," Brandon reflects. "Feel This very well may point to our biggest strength of all, our ability to feel emotion (for better or worse)." Human nature is threaded throughout the album, from volatile relationships ["Dizzy"] to imperfections and learning from mistakes on "Holy Ghost." Its warbling harmony wraps around the wah-drenched guitar straight out of Seattle; Brandon's grunge-y wail rings out on the hook, "I am not the holy ghost. I won't ever save your soul." There's "believing in something so much" on "Set You Free," which spirals towards a seismic crescendo and emotionally charged guitar lead from Bishop.
Around the psyche-digging lyrics, they are never far away from thunderous rock 'n' roll. "Electrified" kickstarts the album as a rip-roaring livewire anthem. "It's your classic rock 'n' roll tune about Frankenstein boots and being invincible!" Brandon says. There's an epic anti-hero tale on "Without Wings," and then there's "Dance with the Dead." Forgetting your troubles over an irresistible groove, the song struts with high-register harmonies and the infectious chant of "Let's go dance with the dead. They know how to kill it!"
The song "Golden" is a soaring homage to a God-gone-too soon. "When it came to the lyrics, we collectively wanted it to be a tribute to Chris Cornell," says Brandon. "We're so influenced by everything he and Soundgarden have done. We ran with the song honoring his legacy."
They made waves with Legend of the Spaceborne Killer [2012], Something Supernatural [2014], and Welcome To Fat City [2016]. However, Motherbrain [2019] represented a high watermark. They've crisscrossed the US, and The World, in road-warrior style, playing with the likes of Anthrax, Black Label Society, Chevelle, Clutch, Volbeat, Halestorm and more. They've lit up festival bills and the annual Shiprocked! Cruise, Rocklahoma, Aftershock, and the Jericho Cruise alongside others. "We tour the pockets off of our pants and sleep in our van for half of the year. To some, that may seem like misery, but to us - it's Heaven baby!" the frontman says.
In 2019 when Covid-19 punched The World in the face, the Global Pandemic descended upon us. Chris and Dan hunkered down in Austin to jam and cut demos, sending ideas to Brandon back in Pennsylvania. 2021 saw the boys enter Orb Studios in Austin, TX with producer Ruston [Stone Sour, Anthrax, Avatar]. Since the world has begun to open up, the band have not stood still. The Rat Child EP was released last summer and featured a mighty cast of Frank Bello [Anthrax], Howard Jones [Light The Torch/ex-Killswitch Engage] and Stix Zadinia [Steel Panther].
You'll feel rock 'n' roll comes to life in Crobot's hands. "We never want to make the same album twice," Brandon leaves off. "There is something for every Crobot fan out there as well as newcomers. At the same time, we're having fun. We want to be taken seriously, but not too seriously—because this is monkey hour after all." "That's the fucking line right there," agrees Bishop. "We want you to walk away smiling. If I can make you smile, I've done my job."
Pre-order the new album here.
Tracklisting:
"Electrified"
"Dizzy"
"Set You Free"
"Better Times"
"Golden"
"Without Wings"
"Livin' On The Streets"
"Into The Fire"
"Dance With The Dead"
"Holy Ghost"
"Never Break Me"
"Staring Straight Into The Sun"
"Better Times" video:
The band will support Danzig in May just prior to appearing at multiple festivals. Confirmed performances below.
Supporting Danzig:
May
5 - Reno, Nevada - Grand Sierra Resort - Grand Theatre
7 - Ontario, California - Toyota Arena - Lucifuge Live in its Entirety
8 - Mesa, Arizona - Mesa Amphitheatre
10 - Denver, Colorado - The Mission Ballroom
11 - Kansas City, Missouri - Uptown Theater
14 - Cincinnatti, Ohio - Andrew J Brady Icon Music Center
15 - Atlanta, Georgia - The Eastern
17 - New Orleans, Louisiana - The Fillmore at Harrah's
18 - Houston, Texas - 713 Music Hall
19 - Austin, Texas - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
Spring Festival Appearances:
May
20 - Virginia Beach, VA - Lunatic Luau
21 - Philadelphia, PA - WMMRbq
(Photo - Wombat Fire)
