The Philadelphia-based band have returned with Scabs, their first new material since the 2018 album 'Twerp Verse', and their first release with new full time members Audrey Zee Whitesides (bass) and Joey Doubek (drums), who previously toured with the group.
The off kilter alt-rock track was recorded at Joshua Tree’s Rancho de la Luna and El Paso’s Sonic Ranch, with engineering and mixing handled by Illuminati Hotties’ Sarah Tudzin. Discussing its inspiration, guitarist-vocalist Sadie Dupuis said:
“Living in progressive cities and working in the arts, you meet peers doing tremendous organizing work. And then there are neighbors who signal their ‘good’ politics through yard signs alone. I wrote ‘Scabs’ standing in line at the post office, overhearing customers berate a USPS employee. This was during a time of postal unions-opposed budget cuts and other major issues for mail handlers, which were widely reported on. People advertising their support for essential workers acted conversely when faced with personal inconvenience. The song became more widely about self-designated ethicists who don’t quibble about crossing a picket line for individual benefit.”
Since Speedy Ortiz's last record, Dupuis has been busy with other projects, releasing her second solo album, 2020's 'Haunted Painting', under the Sad13 moniker, and publishing two poetry books, among other things.
Despite the new material, though, there's still no word on a follow-up to 'Twerp Verse'.
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