PUP just proved that nerd and punk can go hand in hand.
Toronto punk rockers PUP made waves in 2014 when their eponymous debut album was decorated with such tags as âperfect tenâ (Noisey). They were also listed in Rolling Stoneâs Breakout Rock Acts of 2014 and nominated for three Juno Awards. Needless to say, PUP emerged from the year with plenty of momentum.
Over the past two years, the four-piece has kept rolling, playing over 300 shows and building hype for their much-anticipated second record. PUP gave us a first glimpse on January 29 when they shared âDVP,â a relentless punk anthem that clocks in at just under two-and-a-half minutes.
Since its release on Soundcloud, âDVPâ has already gotten more than 120 thousand plays. And itâs bound to get a few more with the songâs new balls-out, nerd-friendly lyric video:Â a brilliant collage of pixelated video game footage that stems from the bandâs childhood forays into gaming.
“The four of us grew up in the golden-age of spastic, seizure inducing video games (see: the 90âs),â said drummer Zack Mykula. âOur best bud Jeremy had the idea to smash together scenes from some of our favourite games in a hot pile of ADHD-insanity. Turns out that pairs really well with our music. Go figure.”
Does it ever. PUP managed to splice original screens of Mortal Kombat, Oregon Trail, Pokemon, and a slew of other â90s classics with the songâs lyrics, seamlessly placing lines in dialogue boxes and other preexisting game spacesâlook for an aerial view of a completed Johnny Cage during the line, âI drink âtil Iâm / staring at the ceiling.â
The new video is a frenetic montage that perfectly matches the song’s angst. It’s the sloppy, booze-fueled speech of a drunken dustup, and it doesnât try to be anything more than that. Case in point: lyrics like, âThree beers and Iâm so messed up / Get drunk and I canât shut up.â
There’s an undeniable relatability in those shouts. At some point in our lives weâve all said something stupid and regrettable after downing three beers, whether while gaming or dating or partying or all of the above. So this oneâs for all of us.
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IMAGE: Artist