PEGZILLA Conjures Riffstorm with Rowdy New Single “Bootlicker”
Commanding an intoxicating blend of high energy riff rock, with punky grit, downtuned power, and sinister doom metal touches, PEGZILLA is rebellious and unabashed as ever in their wild new single, “Bootlicker.”
You may have encountered the self-described thrusting stoner-doom trio during the pandemic with their EP, ‘Giver’ (2022) or the stand-alone track “Eyes of Phthonos” that followed. Now, as the band gears up for their debut full-length record Disobedience, their sound has ripened and ready to burst.
PEGZILLA’s “Bootlicker” is an anti-fascist anthem, a call to resist; a reminder to stay awake, stay angry and stay sensitized to this crucial moment in time. It’s lead singer and guitarist Olivia Saperstein’s direct response to events currently taking place in the United States.
As you might expect, bands in our scene have a lot to say about the state of the world and these days politics touches all of life, so it’s hard to avoid an opinion altogether. This is nothing new for rock and metal, as it has been notoriously outspoken and anti-authoritarian for many generations (that’s especially true here on the West Coast), and remains one of the most powerful forms of free expression today. “Bootlicker” has got some real kick to it and I look forward to savoring the rest of the album in months to come.
Survivors of this year’s devastating fires in Southern California, Pegzilla are emboldened and ready to stir the cauldron. See them live as they premiere the new single on December 4th in Los Angeles at The Goldfish performing with Ben Katzman and Lord Friday the 13th (get tix here). You can grab “Bootlocker” right here, out December 4th, which Doomed & Stoned is premiering today as an honest-to-goodness, real life music video.
Give ear…
SOME BUZZ
If Sabbath got hexed by a riot grrrl and dragged through the desert at midnight, you’d get PEGZILLA. The three piece heavy rock band out of Los Angeles California features Olivia Saperstein on vocals and guitars, Juan Barsse on bass, and Ryan Swain on drums. With hints of doom metal, psych and even punk rock it’s hard to fit this rowdy trio into a tidy box. Instead label them one thing: LOUD.
For their first release since reforming and losing their Altadena home in the Eaton Canyon Fires, PEGZILLA is back with “Bootlicker”, the first single from their forthcoming debut album “Disobedience”. The song is a direct response to the current U.S. administration and its inhumane practices. “It’s a call to wake up, speak up for what’s right and resist,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Olivia Saperstein.
The powerful, riff heavy track is accompanied by a blood splattered music video, directed by Monica Moore Suriyage. The video was shot in Altadena at the Pasadena Waldorf School. Connected by Altadena Musicians, the band was proud to shoot in a town they formerly called home. “It was mutually beneficial for both the school, and local Altadena musicians,” says Saperstein, “So shooting there was so perfect.”
The video features campers who kill off their visiting co-eds and dance in their blood. With cameos from members of local LA bands Moonfuzz, Broken Baby, Lord Friday the 13th, and The Holy Cuts, the piece feels like a true community affair.
“Bootlicker” will be released on all music platforms on December 4th of this year, along with the video premiere. The band is set to celebrate their release at the Goldfish LA on 12/04, alongside Ben Katzman and Lord Friday the 13th. Limited 7” vinyl will also be available at the release party!