Fears are a bitch. And so is the struggle in balance. On “Shot Down” Santa Cruz’s Scowl explores the juxtaposition between suppression and disclosure as they blend hardcore-punk and alternative rock for a frantic and solid delivery.
Kat Moss (vocals), Malachi Greene (guitar), Bailey Lupo (bass), Cole Gilbert (drums), and Mikey Bifolco (guitar) exemplify their personality best in the arrangement on the single and more so on the accompanying video directed by Greene. “Shot Down” acts as the second single from their upcoming EP Psychic Dance Routine due April 7, 2023 via Flatspot Records and adds to the anticipation of the release.
On “Shot Down,” there aren’t moments to sink in depression only to revel in the dynamism of sounds and honeyed pull. It’s a powerful collection that asserts itself to be heard and bashes you along the way. Moss’ control between tight, vocal fry screams and a mid-tempo, slacker hook toys with the state of mind along the way. Impressively stacked guitars fill up every conceivable space and through their chaotic fury, work in beautiful harmony. Anchoring with steady beats and boomy, tight fills, there’s such a clean shift between the tempo changes and overall aesthetic of hardcore-punk and alt-rock.
Visually, the pace introduces the anxious mind back to a confident portrayal of the band. Shattered glass, screams to Moss by Moss, and a perfect plug to the cure for all, their upcoming EP, the video’s overall assured grip reflect some of the qualities one can expect seeing Scowl live.
Photo: Alice Baxley
“This song is supposed to represent a battle between concealing your fears and vulnerability and desperately opening up about said fears,” says Moss. “I’m expressing distaste and fury towards the fearful part of myself, ‘Hate you right now’ is aimed at myself. ‘I wanna impress, impressive sound’ – I’m begging to feel confident in my own work and I feel as though this song stealthily disguises those internal fears in a bubblegum hook, only to be immediately punched in the gut with fast guitars and harsh vocals.”
The band is currently on tour across the United States and Canada with Show Me The Body, Jesus Piece, Zulu, and TRiPP JONES. This year they’ll make their debut at major festivals like Coachella and Reading and Leeds, alongside planned performances at Flatspot World, Bamboozle, Sick New World, Furnace Fest, Outbreak, and more. Full dates below.
Girl Underground Music 
Fears are a bitch. And so is the struggle in balance. On “Shot Down” Santa Cruz’s Scowl explores the juxtaposition between suppression and disclosure as they blend hardcore-punk and alternative rock for a frantic and solid delivery.
Kat Moss (vocals), Malachi Greene (guitar), Bailey Lupo (bass), Cole Gilbert (drums), and Mikey Bifolco (guitar) exemplify their personality best in the arrangement on the single and more so on the accompanying video directed by Greene. “Shot Down” acts as the second single from their upcoming EP Psychic Dance Routine due April 7, 2023 via Flatspot Records and adds to the anticipation of the release.
On “Shot Down,” there aren’t moments to sink in depression only to revel in the dynamism of sounds and honeyed pull. It’s a powerful collection that asserts itself to be heard and bashes you along the way. Moss’ control between tight, vocal fry screams and a mid-tempo, slacker hook toys with the state of mind along the way. Impressively stacked guitars fill up every conceivable space and through their chaotic fury, work in beautiful harmony. Anchoring with steady beats and boomy, tight fills, there’s such a clean shift between the tempo changes and overall aesthetic of hardcore-punk and alt-rock.
Visually, the pace introduces the anxious mind back to a confident portrayal of the band. Shattered glass, screams to Moss by Moss, and a perfect plug to the cure for all, their upcoming EP, the video’s overall assured grip reflect some of the qualities one can expect seeing Scowl live.
“This song is supposed to represent a battle between concealing your fears and vulnerability and desperately opening up about said fears,” says Moss. “I’m expressing distaste and fury towards the fearful part of myself, ‘Hate you right now’ is aimed at myself. ‘I wanna impress, impressive sound’ – I’m begging to feel confident in my own work and I feel as though this song stealthily disguises those internal fears in a bubblegum hook, only to be immediately punched in the gut with fast guitars and harsh vocals.”
The band is currently on tour across the United States and Canada with Show Me The Body, Jesus Piece, Zulu, and TRiPP JONES. This year they’ll make their debut at major festivals like Coachella and Reading and Leeds, alongside planned performances at Flatspot World, Bamboozle, Sick New World, Furnace Fest, Outbreak, and more. Full dates below.
Pre-order Psychic Dance Routine HERE.
Tour Dates:
w/ Show Me The Body + Jesus Piece + Zulu + TRiPP JONES
3/1 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
3/3 – Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz @ Vets Hall
3/4 – Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
3/5 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
3/7 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
3/8 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
3/9 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
3/10 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
3/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
3/12 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
3/14 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
3/15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Underground Music Venue
3/16 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/17 – Detroit, MI @ Tangent Gallery
3/18 – Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
3/19 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
3/21 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
3/22 – Albany, NY @ Fuze Box
3/23 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
3/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
4/8 – Brooklyn, NY – Flatspot World @ The Monarch
4/15 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/22 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
5/6 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Bamboozle
5/13 – Las Vegas, NV @ Sick New World
6/23-25 – Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Fest
7/27-29 – Xixón, Spain @ Tsunami Xixón Festival
8/26 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
8/27 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
9/23 – Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest
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