The Murlocs have unveiled a striking new single, Virgin Criminal, ahead of their sixth album launch and North American tour.
Melbourne-based garage-rock band, The Murlocs have just released a spellbinding new hit, Virgin Criminal, lifted from their forthcoming sixth album, Rapscallion, which is set to launch on September 16 via Virgin Australia.
Packed with fiercely-addictive riffs, commanding vocals and a hypnotic rhythm, this three-minute, punk-esque masterpiece offers an enticing glimpse at what’s to come from their highly-anticipated 12-track record.
Speaking on the track, the band say: “Some people chase cheap thrills their whole lives whilst others stick between the lines and play by the rules. ‘Virgin Criminal’ is about that shot of adrenaline you get when you break those rules for the first time. Even the smallest bit of crime can go horribly wrong at any given moment so you’ve gotta watch yourself.”
Self-produced during the initial stages of the pandemic, The Murlocs’ forthcoming album, Rapscallion was recorded remotely in the home studios of band members Kenny-Smith (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Callum Shortal (guitar), Matt Blach (drums), Cook Craig (bass), and Tim Karmouche (keys).
A follow-up to their widely-celebrated 2021 garage-rock LP, Bittersweet Demons, their next record is said to have a more mixed musical DNA; containing elements of stoner-metal, and the more rudimentary stylings of post-punk.
According to The Murlocs, Rapscallion showcases a significant creative shift, whilst still evoking nostalgia of their youthful endeavors: “As a kid I was out the door as soon I could, just chasing new experience, and it felt good to look back on all these wonderful memories of that time—although there were certainly a lot of very dicey moments too,” says vocalist, Kenny-Smith.
He continues, “It was exciting to write in a different way rather than coming up with 12 songs about my anxieties, to live vicariously through that character and get back to a feeling of exploration. I hope when people hear the album they really dig deep into the world of the story we’ve created, and it gives them that same sensation of traveling into the unknown.”
In even more exciting news, the band have announced a mammoth tour of North America, kickstarting in Texas this October. They’ll be joined on tour by guest performers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Leah Senior and Grace Cummings. See the full list of tour dates below.
Stream Virgin Criminal on Spotify today.
North American Tour Dates
October 29 | Waller Creek Amphitheater, Austin TX
October 31 | The Criterion, Oklahoma City, OK
November 2 | Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO
November 7 | Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA
November 9 | Webster Hall, New York, NY
November 10 | The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA
November 11 | Fairmount Theatre, Montreal, QC
November 12 | The Axis Club, Toronto, ON
November 14 | Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
November 15 | Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
November 16 | Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
November 17 | Reverb Lounge, Omaha, NE
November 18 | Bluebird Theatre, Denver, CO
November 20 | Neurolux, Boise, ID
November 22 | Neumos, Seattle, WA
November 23 | Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver, BC
November 25 | Star Theater, Portland, OR
November 27 | Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
November 28 | Harlow’s, Sacramento, CA
November 29 | Moe’s, Santa Cruz, CA
December 2 | Teragram Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA
