Toronto’s punk legends, PUP, are finally back at it. After a two-year hiatus, they’ve graced us with a new single, ‘Paranoid‘. Produced by the wizardry of John Congleton, the track is loud, unhinged, and somehow still manages to be funny. Classic PUP, really.
Stefan Babcock, the band’s ever-self-aware frontman, had this to say about the track:
“My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band. But somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously. There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.“
The Video Is a Love Letter to Merch Table Warriors
The ‘Paranoid’ music video, courtesy of long-time collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, is equally genius. What started as a stripped-back concept to keep the bruising lyrics front and centre turned into a tribute to the unsung heroes of every gig: the merch table staff. It’s a bloody good laugh.
As Jeremy put it, “Special thanks to all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!“
Watch the official ‘Paranoid’ video below:
Oh, and They’ve Got a Substack Now
As if a new song and video weren’t enough, PUP are also launching More Bad Stuff – A PUPTHEBAND Substack. Think of it as a digital extension of their zine, where they’ll dump unreleased tracks, tour stories, comics, and anything else they feel like sharing. The first posts are already up, featuring an old Topanga EP (their pre-PUP days) and some Built to Spill covers by Stefan.
Tour Time: UK, EU, and Canada – They’re Everywhere
PUP are also gearing up for a massive tour. They’re kicking off in Canada this month with Sum 41 (how’s that for a throwback?) before heading to the UK and EU in May. Oh, and Illuminati Hotties are opening for most of the EU/UK dates because this lineup just keeps getting better.
Here’s the lowdown:
Canada:
10/01/2025 – Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
11/01/2025 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
13/01/2025 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
16/01/2025 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
17/01/2025 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
18/01/2025 – Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre
20/01/2025 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Place
23/01/2025 – St. Catharines, ON @ Meridian Centre
24/01/2025 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
25/01/2025 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
27/01/2025 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
28/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
30/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
UK/EU:
07/05/2025 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
08/05/2025 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
10/05/2025 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
11/05/2025 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 (TV Studio)
12/05/2025 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University
13/05/2025 – Bristol, UK @ Marble Factory
15/05/2025 – Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
16/05/2025 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
18/05/2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
20/05/2025 – Cologne, Germany @ Club Volta
21/05/2025 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
22/05/2025 – Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
23/05/2025 – Munich, Germany @ Strom
25/05/2025 – Paris, France @ Bellevilloise
27/05/2025 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Mon
28/05/2025 – Barcelona, Spain @ Upload
29/05/2025 – València, Spain @ Loco Club
30/05/2025 – San Sebastian, Spain @ Dabadaba
Tickets are on sale now at puptheband.com.
