Song of the Day: Swampmeat - Brand New Cadillac

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. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Brand New Cadillac”, by UK's Swampmeat, from their forthcoming LP, Gin & Tonic, due November 25th on PNKSLM Records.Swampmeat - Brand New Cadillac (MP3)Swampmeat is a bigly visual (and visceral) band name. Knowing this, the UK pop janglers' sonic output is playfully raw catharsis matched with unleashed, punk-and-pop-infused acoustic rock. This Friday, the catchy drums-and-guitar duo are set to release a compilation called Gin & Tonic, out on PNKSLM Records, that features rarely released songs and long-lost albums from 2005 through 2009. Swampmeat is the brain project of Daniel Finnemore (vocals & guitars), who's also been in the UK acts The Castilliants and Black Mekon, and the U.S. band Low Cut Connie. In Swampmeat he's joined by T-Bird Jones on drums.

A song like "Brand New Cadillac" winks at the punk undertones of The Clash, Conor Oberst's vitality, the exciting pop cadence of The Strokes that makes you want to dance up and down, and the production and anecdotal aesthetic of a Dead Milkmen creation. Plus, throw in a overdrive harmonica solo and what more could you want? "Brand New Cadillac" is a let's-move-on-it's-not-working-out love anthem with the conclusion-based chorus "Well, me and my new baby well we're leaving in a brand new cadillac."  It's written in a familiar style that exists perfectly in 2016 but that also has a retro rock quality to it that it could have been played on American Bandstand, guys and girls equally fanning out over it.

It doesn't look like Swampmeat have any shows lined up yet, but with their new album coming out soon they just might so keep an eye out on their Facebook page. So you don't have to hold your breath for more great music from Swampmeat, enjoy their more alt-country single off of Gin and Tonic called "Sister Mary."