It’s no secret that we’ve been fans of Atlanta rock trio The Coathangers for a little while now. Back in 2014 we premiered their fourth LP Suck My Shirt and now just under two years later they’re back at it with their blistering new effort Nosebleed Weekend (out locally via Smack Face Music).
Nosebleed Weekend sees the crew broaden their musical horizons, following international tours, this LP was the first album The Coathangers have made outside of their native Atlanta.
Recorded in North Hollywood at Valentine Recording Studios with Nic Jodoin,(Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Nightbeats), Nosebleed Weekend marks The Coathangers’ 10th year as a band, and like a fine wine they’re just getting better with age.
To celebrate the release of Nosebleed Weekend, Crook Kid Coathanger aka Julia Kugel has kindly penned a track by track run down of the record which you can check out below (along with the LP stream). If you like what you’re hearing pop by the band’s Facebook page orSmack Face Music for more info.
PERFUME
Mostly written on the balcony of a house in LA, this song was loosely based on an experience we had earlier that year on tour. It’s kinda about wanting to blend into the wall when shit goes down. Not wanting to be bothered, but not in an aggressive way. Just over it because you can’t control the situation.
DUMB BABY
Kind of a hi-five to our best friends and first ever tour mates Demons Claws. They have always inspired us to be honest and funny. The song is about when your friends and loved ones act like drunk little babies. We’ve all been there. No judgement.
SQUEEKI TIKI
Inspired by the actual squeeki toy name that was played on the album, this song was mostly just a way to change things up a bit. It was one of those silly ideas that ended up working and making us all really happy. We wrote it quickly. Lyrics are based on a break up where all you want out of the whole thing is your dog. ‘Cuz fuck the rest of it. You can have it… I don’t want that shit! Just give me my dog!
HARDLY RIGHT
I love the dynamics of this song. It’s kinda schizophrenic. You know when you’re in a lulled sense of calm and everything seems to be alright then something goes off and you just wanna freak out? Like you thought you had it under control but then it creeps out and you get pissed?! Yea like that. Life is very dynamic that way. It feels good to play this one live.
MAKE IT RIGHT
Messing up and getting called out for it sucks! But then you just have to make up for it. There is a lot of honour in admitting you fucked up and moving past it. This song is also about missing your best friend when they mess up and you cant do anything to save them. It’s about trying to find strength in a shitty situation.
NOSEBLEED WEEKEND
‘Nosebleed Weekend’ went through a few incarnations (it used to have a completely different chorus). We love playing this song! It’s about how you reap what you sow. If we aren’t nice boys and girls, we might just get a lump of coal in the nose! something like that ha. Be nice!
WATCH YOUR BACK
This song started forming when we were on tour in Japan. Oddly enough it’s also a little about getting your karma handed back to you. A lot of the lyrics are about being out of control of a situation, being completely at the mercy of others. It’s a pretty humbling feeling and you can’t really go back from that. Arigatou!
BURN ME
Mteredith came in with the lyrics for this song. I think it’s about someone literally burning her, or trying to at least. It’s cool because the drums and bass carry the whole thing, I could really mess around and play whatever I wanted to. Favourite line: “you’re so dramatic, wishy washy!” So good!
I DONT THINK SO
When we were in Europe last summer, we had to rely on wifi to make phone calls back home. This task is probably one of the most frustrating things you could try. Basically you get on the phone and say “Hello” a bunch of times, while the service goes in and out. You pace. You yell. You threaten to throw your phone against the wall, knowing full well you wouldn’t dare destroy the only means of staying in touch. So you sit and quietly text and hope your message gets delivered… that’s what ‘I Don’t Think So’ is about.
DOWN DOWN
I remember the moment this song came into being. I remember the angle I was standing at in that hot tiny LA practice space. It felt like the guitar strokes were cutting the air and the atmosphere. It’s been one of the most interesting songs we have ever recorded. It has definitely stuck with me… with all of us really!
HIYA
Inspired by the Franco family: a warm, funny and generous bunch of people! Love them so much! We had heard some unsettling news and I just wanted to let them know that we are always thinking about them and love them very much! As is true for all of our families! It sucks not being able to be there when shit goes down.
HAD ENOUGH
Well… don”t you think you had enough? Interesting question. Could be a metaphor for society. Could be a self realization. Could be a call out. Hmmm. Probably something we should ask ourselves from time to time though. I like it because the music is kinda happy sounding but the lyrics are dark.
COPYCAT
We switched instruments for this song, again to keep it more interesting. I had learned one little new thing on the drums and I love the way Steph plays guitar so came this groovy number. The lyrical idea came to me after watching a Youtube video everyone was freaking out about. It really struck me. It’s strange when I notice people that wanna stand out by being exactly like someone else. Good luck finding your own way… you little copycat. And i sincerely mean that… that was not sarcasm.
