PUP have returned with a video for their new song “Paranoid.”
Toronto punk heroes PUP— comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski— released their fourth album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, in 2022. The album earned PUP universal acclaim, countless Top 10 Billboard chart positions including #1 Heatseekers, Top New Artists Albums and Alternative New Artist Albums, and a slew of sold-out shows across the globe. They’re keeping it going with an arena tour with Sum 41 that kicks off tomorrow night, so to celebrate they return today with a new single. The explosive, John Congleton-produced track “Paranoid” is out now, and is PUP’s first new release in two years. Babcock says of the new single: “My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. It's the heaviest moment in the song, Zack and Steve are going so hard, I'm yelling about all this sad stuff that's going on with me, and Nestor is just playing the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass. It cracks me up every time I hear it. So fucking funny. It's a very PUP moment." “Paranoid” is accompanied by an ingenious music video by long-time PUP collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, who said: “What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and center turned in to a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table. Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!” Check it out now HERE and stay tuned for much more to come from PUP this year. Later this year, the band will embark on a May 2025 UK/EU headline tour with support from Illuminati Hotties on all UK/EU dates (except for Spain) and Goo on all UK dates. Full list of all upcoming tour dates are below, for ticketing and on sale information, please go to www.puptheband.com. Can’t wait that long? Well, do we have a solution for you! Introducing MORE BAD STUFF - A PUPTHEBAND Substack. A reincarnation of the band’s zine series PUPTHEZINE, this substack will be an ongoing digital version or, as they like to call it, “PUPTHEBAND’S brand new digital hellscape.” They will use it to post unreleased songs, discuss writing process, play-through tracks, comics, old photos, live recordings, tour stories and more. The first two posts, featuring the original 4-song EP of pre-PUP band Topanga and some Built To Spill covers by Stefan, are out now. Sign up HERE.