Formed in Oakland, CA in late 2019, Spy have built on the foundation of bands such as Bad Brains and Poison Idea, rather than following the current wave of metallic hardcore. And by staying true to themselves, the band have carved out their own niche in the modern hardcore landscape. They’re set to unleash their upcoming EP, Seen Enough, a release where no song ever overstays its welcome, instead embodying what makes hardcore frenetic. Burning through six songs in under ten minutes, every track is a testament to the energy the band has built up through relentless touring. The announcement of the new EP also comes with its first single, “Dim”, which you can listen to below this article. Spy vocalist Peter Pawlak says, “The song’s recurring line (‘you’re the problem but you don’t see it’) is just as easily applicable to some of those you may know in your personal life as it is to a wide array of presently prominent public figures. I’m sure you’re just as sick of all of them as I am.”
Seen Enough doesn’t hide what it’s about: society’s continued descent with diminishing hope for course correction. From the jump, Spy has followed in the lineage of Bay Area punks like Dead Kennedys and Ceremony in both attitude and awareness. Their latest offering maintains the critical edge of their earlier material while expanding their lyrical scope, delivering a streamlined punch that hits hard through its runtime. Recorded by Jack Shirley at Oakland’s Atomic Garden, Seen Enough was recorded live to tape, eschewing the modern practice of individual tracking in favor of a more immediate, visceral approach that better represents their explosive live show.
Seen Enough will be released on February 21st via Closed Casket Activities. Pre-orders are now available here.
Photo credit: Naida Lindberg
