With over 10 million Spotify streams, and a slew of critically acclaimed albums and EPs under the belt, the pop punk band of party-loving delinquents Pkew Pkew Pkew announce their next full-length album, ‘Siiick Days,’ will be released September 22nd.
The opening track, and lead single, ‘The Dumbest Thing I Ever Done,’ is about Mike Warne (vox/bass) having to sell his Playstation after a particularly rough 2020 European tour, “which sucked because the world was about to go into lockdown and no video games = no fun.” Regretting his decision, watch his imagination come to life in the music video which demonstrates how a homemade time machine could have helped return the source of entertainment.
The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn (Lifter Puller) came on board as a lyrical consultant for ‘Siiick Days,’ remarking enthusiastically that “A new Pkew record is always exciting for me. I love this band and the way they write about the dread and alienation of modern life, as well as the moments of elation that get us through.”
‘Siiick Days’ was recorded in the heart of the pandemic, over ten days in New Jersey’s Asbury Park by The Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf (The Menzingers, Dave Haus, The Love Ones, Crazy & The Brain). Steinkopf states: “It was an awesome experience making this record with these guys. Honest, great, and clever people making honest, great, and clever music. I was a fan the first time I heard them and am a fan for life after this experience. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
The result is an incredibly thoughtful, cohesive, introspective, and hilariously joyful record. 2022’s ‘Open Bar’ (Dine Alone Records) was written prior to 2020 and its release was intended to provide solace, a time capsule of the pre-lockdown days. 2023’s ‘Siiick Days’ is about getting back to work – only to call in sick and party instead. Most of these new songs were written in solitary moments walking to the grocery store, riding the subway or hanging out in the bathroom of Toronto bar The Farside. “I should also say, this is our best album,” Warne adds. “We all love it more than anything. It was nothing but joy to work on. May all your days be siiick.”
Hailing from Toronto, they have spent the better part of a decade relentlessly touring Canada, the US, and Europe with bands like The Hold Steady, PUP, Reel Big Fish, The Flatliners, and a bunch more. Their song ‘Mid 20s Skateboarder’ was featured in the 2020 reboot of ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2.’ They appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers and performed at Riot Fest.
Restructured following Ryan James McKinley’s (lead guitar/synth) departure, Kate MacLean (guitar/keys/vox) has officially joined. Fans may recognize her already from shows in which she filled in for David Michael Laino (drums/percussion). She is a serendipitous addition; both her and Emmett James O’Reilly (bass guitar) are music teachers, and while she has covered for him in that role over the last several years when he’s been away for tour, they hadn’t met until recently when they played together in a teacher band at a recital.
‘Siiick Days’ tracklist:
01. The Dumbest Thing I Ever Done
02. Farside Bathroom
03. Read Receipts
04. Hot Tub Or Bust
05. Trooper Cover Band
06. Johan
07. Learning To Share
08. Trespasser On The Tracks
09. Goodnights
10. The Night John Buck Hit Three Home Runs