Song of the Day: METZ - Headache

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. In celebration of Sub Pop’s Silver Jubilee, KEXP is featuring songs exclusively from Sub Pop artists this week. Today’s song is “Headache” by METZ from the 2012 self-titled album on Sub Pop.

METZ - Headache (MP3)

Most of the best stories describing Sub Pop's early years include some sort of anecdote about complete chaos breaking out at a show, so maybe it's appropriate that Toronto's METZ one had a fan repeatedly ram his head into one of the band’s monitors until he began bleeding. The hardcore trio's music draws influence from Drive Like Jehu, The Jesus Lizard, Jawbreaker, and Fugazi (all bands the members would go see in their youth), recalling more of D.C.'s vein punk fury than Seattle's. After kicking around Canadian basements for a few years, the band issued their debut via Sub Pop last year to critical acclaim and offers for gigs in non-basement venues. (Fortunately, they brought the basement vibe to all 200 or so gigs they played last year.) Their debut's opening track, "Headache" is a caustic, barely two minute punk blaze that wouldn't have sounded too out of place if it was released during Sub Pop's early years. A pulsating, "Timebomb"-style pulse introduces the track, but after a few bars, the band has launched into a frenetic punk assault. "Headache" might actually cause some listeners to develop the titular condition, but in good way: it's a disorienting, relentless slice of hardcore that relies on sheer fury rather than angst.

After playing the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee this Saturday, METZ will head back out on the road, so keep an eye on their website and Facebook for any updates from the band. Below, watch the band play "Headache" live at KEXP during their in-studio from late last year: