Rodeo Boys’ new album “Junior” captures the quiet rebellion of a the blue-collar heart. The Lansing, MI-based band––fronted by guitarist/vocalist Tiff Hannay (they/them), guitarist Caleb Shook (he/him), bassist Taylor “Doty”(he/him) and drummer Christian Urabazzo (he/him)––blends a dirt-under-the-nails grit with campy, sardonic humour in a way that only a group of small-town misfits could pull off.
Produced by Tom May (The Menzingers), half of the tracks on “Junior” are no-nonsense anthems of revenge, and the other half are tales of desperate gay love and identity.
First single “All American Man” falls under the latter, and draws its inspiration from the Laura Gilpin poem, Two-Headed Calf. Elsewhere, “Junior” chisels through tales of heartbreak and revenge from a unique perspective, with a ferocity akin to The Pixies, The Breeders, Mannequin Pussy, and Destroy Boys.
Album standouts like “Cowgirl in the Dark” reflect Tiff’s admiration for the often misunderstood Pam Anderson, and “Sam’s Song” captures the emotional weight of witnessing a friend endure predatory abuse––and even references journal entries with permission from the victim. The fired-up onslaught of “Speedway” and “Pump Six” pay homage to The Clash’s “Straight To Hell,” throwing shade at former friends that threw away their potential by being an abusive person.
Across its 14 tracks, “Junior” is a collision of fiery punk rage, salt-of-the-earth passion, and melodic emo; a cathartic soundtrack for anyone still trying to find their place in it all.
The Fat Angel Sings 