METZ: Pure Auto

By Kerry Doole

METZ - Pure Auto (Sub Pop): The internationally feted punk/noise band trio from Toronto has announced July 12 as the release date for Automat, a collection of METZ non-album singles, B-sides, and rarities dating back to 2009, and including the band's long out-of-print early (pre-Sub Pop) recordings.

In a press release, the band’s Alex Edkins explains "The idea to release Automat came after realizing our early 7" singles were being sold online for upwards of $60 a pop. We wanted to make those songs available and affordable to anyone who might want them in the physical format. What started as reissuing a couple of 45s, quickly morphed into an entire LP, compiling rarities, demos and alternate takes from over the years.”  

This track from the album is typical METZ fire and brimstone, and about as subtle as a headbutt, yet the sonic assault is quite stimulating. The minimally animated video clip suits it well.

“Pure Auto is METZ at our most tongue in cheek,” says Edkins. “There are many winks and many nods (autonomy, me, me, me, me, me, for example) but ultimately it’s about being a control freak; fighting the urge to steer the ship constantly. Originally released as the B-side to the ‘Eraser’ 7" it has never been played live, but for some reason still manages to be one of our collective favorites. It was written and recorded very quickly after completing the 11 album sessions and came out of a surge of creativity/excitement/relief following a particularly intense and time-consuming album."

The band is currently hard at work on its fourth full-length LP, release date TBA.

METZ is playing May 25 in Minneapolis, and May 26 in Chicago with labelmates Mudhoney and on June 23 begins a 14-date EU run with many festival performances. Dates here

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