Alexisonfire: Familiar Drugs
The hardcore heroes return with the first new original track in almost a decade. It features their familiar intensity, led by George Pettit's signature paint-stripping vocals. The group's large global following will lap this up.
By Kerry Doole
Alexisonfire - "Familiar Drugs" (Dine Alone): This is big news, the first new original track from hardcore heroes Alexisonfire in almost a decade.
The cut is produced by AOF's long-time friend Karl Bareham (City and Colour) and mixed by Grammy-award winning Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse).
Vocalist George Pettit explains in a press release that “‘Familiar Drugs’ is about recognizing you need to make a change in your life, being presented with the opportunity to make that change, and then choosing to do the same thing you always do. It’s about something very specific to me but it can be taken literally or interpreted in any number of ways. Most people have something in their lives they can’t quit, substances, unhealthy relationships, lethargy, self-righteousness, a job they hate. ‘Familiar Drugs’ is about choosing comfort over self-betterment."
The sound is familiar, with an intense guitar assault matched by the AOF trademark of Pettit's paint-stripping vocals juxtaposed with those of Dallas Green (City and Colour). It is safe to assume that the band's large and loyal international following will take to this like a shark to a surfer.
Formed in St. Catharines in 2001, the Juno-winning band broke up in 2012, then reunited in 2015. AOF has toured sporadically since then.
June shows in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and London, UK, have been announced. Tickets for all concerts go on sale Feb. 22. $1 from each ticket sold (for all shows) will be donated to Indspire, a Canadian-based Indigenous-led charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families, and communities.
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