Canadian duo and trendsetters cleopatrick dropped their first full-length album this month. Their reputation isn’t starting here, though. If anything it is just picking up. In fact, there’s a good chance you have heard their top track hometown which has amassed over 50 million plays on Spotify alone.
cleopatrick has been spending the last few years building their reputation as part of a new wave of rock-and-roll, but these guys aren’t just another Zeppelin clone (looking at you, Greta). And their new release BUMMER is set to be their discography’s flagship.
Once again, this isn’t the rock your parents play. cleopatrick is one guitarist, one drummer, and a crap ton of distortion and octaves to fill the space. The two-piece structure is not unique to them, as a wave of this sort of “minimalist rock” has been growing throughout the 2010’s, sometimes further back. If you’re a fan of Royal Blood, Death From Above 1979, or grandson, then it’s a surprise if anything if you have not found cleopatrick yet.
“Am I the only real motherfucker in this town?”
BUMMER is by no means a bummer. From start to finish this album is a collage of thick, punchy drums and fuzzy, grimy riffs and vocals. Guitarist/singer Luke Gruntz’s lyrics talk about growing up in a small town and how it sculpted him and his insecurities.
“Our hometown is a pretty crushing place in all honesty,” Gruntz told Femme Riot. “There are no venues for kids to play in, and no programs to promote creative minds within the town. It has been a really tough place to grow up in as an aspiring musician…”
The duo takes inspiration from more than just rock bands. Gruntz is very fond of hip-hop, and recognizes it as a brilliant outlet for artistic expression. Meanwhile, their take on the stereotypical image of rock-and-roll is more disdainful than anything.
“There’s nothing more discouraging than being put in a box before you’ve played your first note; all because you’re holding a Les Paul and someone said you play ‘rock’. That’s why I admire hip-hop so deeply. Because in so many ways it truly is the new rock. It’s constantly evolving, it’s raw, aggressive, and pure. It’s everything rock used to be.”
The New Rock Mafia
If you log onto cleopatrick’s website, you’re greeted with a parody of a Windows 98 desktop. At the bottom right, you will see an icon titled “cp_manifesto.pdf.” Double-clicking this icon reveals the following:
Via === CLEOPATRICK ONLINE ===
The other two bands mentioned are Zig Mentality and Ready the Prince, for the record. As you can see, it’s pretty clear what they’re all about. These guys aren’t fools, they know what people think when you say “rock,” and they want that image to change.
Revitalizing the underground rock scene will come with many repercussions, especially if cleopatrick and co. manage to succeed with this project. Being integrators of hip-hop into their music, rap metal/rock should see a rise in popularity the next few years with the help of their notoriety.
What’s more interesting is that joining the New Rock Mafia may be easier than you think. According to NEWBLARE, every now and then the Instagram account @newrockmafia livestreams a performance and gives out the password to their website. Upon joining, you are allegedly given access to secret shows, unheard music and parties “all around the world.”
It’s becoming readily evident that cleopatrick is working on more than just hit singles. Between the raw fury of BUMMER and the exclusivity of NRM, there’s a fearless yearning for the start of a new era of music; an exciting prospect for musicians and fans worldwide.
