Song of the Day: The Grizzled Mighty - Chantael

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part 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. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Chantael” by The Grizzled Mighty from the 2015 album Closed Knuckle Jaw on Red Bull Sound Select.

The Grizzled Mighty - Chantael (MP3)

The Seattle duo The Grizzled Mighty couldn't have christened themselves with a more appropriate moniker – their gruff, ferocious rock is nothing short of a ravaging force of nature. The band began when guitarist/vocalist Ryan Granger and drummer Whitney Perry met on Craigslist, hoping to find more bandmates to flesh out the group. After a few practices, however, the pair found that they had a certain chemistry between them and opted to continue as a duo. As they established themselves as a fixture on the Seattle live scene, their reputation for loud (and sometimes bloody) live shows increased their profile in advance of their 2012 eponymous debut. In 2014, Petty left the band to focus on her project Thunderpussy and was replaced by Lupe Flores, who arrived during the production of the band's sophomore effort, this year's Closed Knuckle Jaw.

The opening track on Closed Knuckle Jaw, "Chantael" aims for the jugular with relentless performances from both musicians. As Flores' thunderous rhythm underpins the song, Granger alternates between howling out a lyrical tale of seedy motels and rowdy nights and laying down a series of muscular, brash riffs. Although many of the band's best songs focus on the duo's ability to draw every last inch of force out of their minimalist setup, "Chantael" opts for a more immediate, nearly off-the-rails approach and ends up as one of the band's finest moments.

Hot off their album release show at Neumos last weekend, The Grizzled Mighty will play at the Bunk Bar in Portland on February 28th and the Bartlett in Spokane on March 7th. Keep up with the band at their Facebook and Bandcamp. Check out our recent Q&A with the band's Ryan Granger and, below, watch the band play "Work Me Slow" live on KEXP in 2012.