On hearing North Carolina trio Irata‘s new single, “Goodside,” we’re reminded of a time in the late ’80s and early ’90s when there was heavy music that wasn’t really metal. Some of it was grunge, some was called “alternative” or even post-hardcore. It pretty much covered everything from Dinosaur Jr. to Jane’s Addiction, Faith No More and a bunch of other bands. That’s sort of where these dudes—Jason Ward (drums/keys/vocals), Jon Case (bass/vocals), Owen Burd (vocals/guitar/keys)—sit on this new track, from their upcoming fourth full-length, Human. It’s melodic, has some heavy, fuzzed out riffs and rides a terse, tension-filled rhythm. Would have have sounded at home on Sub Pop or Amphetamine Reptile Records back in the day.
Human was recorded with longtime friends Hunter Allen and Adam Joyce of the Bronzed Chorus at Amplified Acres in Liberty, North Carolina and mixed by J. Robbins at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s set for release on vinyl, CD and digitally on July 10 via Small Stone Records. Place your preorder here.
Owen Burd had this to say about the band’s new single:
“’Goodside’ paints a portrait of our collective willingness to revel in the failings of others, as long as we appear righteous in the process. The sarcasm of the lyrics is underpinned by the grinding anger of the riffs beneath.”
