Canadian punk rockers PUP only dropped their third album Morbid Stuff last year, but already the frantic four-piece are back with a new single called Rot, taken from their upcoming new six-track EP This Place Sucks Ass, which is due out through Little Dipper/Rise on 23 October.

It’s a typical PUP song, with a frighteningly catchy chorus, huge drums and ear splitting riffs set to snarling lyrics such as “I’m doing something productive with my self destruction”.

Comprised of Stefan Babcock (lead vocals and guitar), Nestor Chumak (backing vocals and bass), Zack Mykula (backing vocals and drums), and Steve Sladkowski (backing vocals and guitars), PUP – which stands for Pathetic Use of Potential – are celebrating a decade together this year with the new, bizarrely named, EP.

Writing on their official Facebook page about their upcoming EP, the band said: “Yes, that's a real title. Yes, it started as a joke that felt like it came true. No matter where you live or what your circumstances, this EP is about the place you are from and the place you are at now. Because both of those places suck ass.

“We are eternally grateful for any and all support. We hope this music finds you safe, as healthy as you can be, and committed to the fight for social justice. We'll see you out on the road as soon as it's safe for us all to be together again!”

This Place Sucks Ass will contain Rot, and five songs that were originally recorded for Morbid Stuff but were considered, in the band’s own words, “too frenetic or too unhinged” to include on the album. To celebrate the release of the new EP, the band will be performing live on 23 October at Sneaky Dee’s in Toronto, with the performance being livestreamed to fans with tickets.

It’s the first time PUP have ever livestreamed a show, and the performance will be directed by long-time collaborator and friend of the band Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux.

Listen to the official audio for Rot here.

Pre-order This Place Sucks Ass or buy tickets for the upcoming livestreamed show.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.