New full-length album by raucous and socially conscious California punk/metal band THROW THE GOAT, titled #VoteGoat2020: Capitol Hell, drops October 30, 2020 on Regurgitation/Combat Records (the legendary metal label recently relaunched by Grammy-winning MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson).
Album artwork was rendered by Jimbo Phillips, famed son of Jim Phillips (designer of iconic Santa Cruz Skateboards “Screaming Hand” logo) who has created original artwork for METALLICA, PRIMUS, PENNYWISE, BLINK-182, FU MANCHU, TSOL, STRUNG OUT, A WILHELM SCREAM and many others. His vibrant cover art reaffirms the band’s connection to their skater/tattoo-enthusiast fan base.
When asked to describe his band, co-founder, vocalist, guitarist, and producer Brian “Puke” Parnell replies: “A genre-blending cocktail of intensity and melodiousness.”
He adds: “We appeal to fans of MOTÖRHEAD, THE BRONX, HIGH ON FIRE, RKL, RISE AGAINST, DEATH BY STEREO — basically people who like heavy riffs, kick flips and circle pits will probably enjoy what we do.”
Despite the fun-loving nature of the band’s music and videos, the new album tackles serious topics including national politics, sexual predators, and QAnon conspiracy theories. In a nod to their punk forefathers, the band’s lyrical content delivers an unapologetic political fierceness, backed up by the band’s direct social activism. Album tracks “Deaths Of Despair” and “Lecherous” will raise money for two organizations which respectively specialize in metal health, and in providing aid to victims of sexual assault.
“I don’t know if I’m more nervous about the album being released during a pandemic or about the election,” Parnell says. Both the upcoming Presidential election and his new role as frontman have given him pause. Indeed, he is the only remaining original band member. Drummer Troy Whitford joined the band after 2016’s Vote Goat EP and new bassist Derek Wade Timmons was assimilated in 2019 following the departure of original vocalist/bassist Mike Schnalzer.
It is not surprising that the band’s discography includes three more full-length LPs, considering they formed back in 2011. Parnell opines, “This album was definitely the most fun to make, by far. Nothing was off-limits. It didn’t matter which songs were written years ago and which were brand new — they all came out sounding like they belong together.”
