Boston’s Burp. drop grunge-laced Midwest emo anthem, “Checkers”
East Coast indie crew Burp. offer a grungy dose of riff-heavy punk on their new single, “Checkers”.
On the track, the quartet channel the anger of seeing a loved one move forward with their life, leaving you in the rear view; vocalist Leo Folan shares: “Checkers actually takes the first riff I ever wrote back when I was 13 and turns that into a full song. Lyrically and Nathan (Richer, Guitar) wrote the song from the perspective of someone who is bitter that someone left him behind, but refuses to self-reflect in any meaningful way.”
Burp. started like many bands do. A group of friends making noise in basements, unsure of where, if anywhere, it would lead. But their innate chemistry quickly became evident – both to themselves and their loyal local fanbase, with the release of 2023 debut album, Burp.
Earning acclaim across the greater Boston area, Burp. struck a chord with a soundscape that took from the 90s pop-punk scene, with splashes of the 10s emo revival.
September 2024 saw the release of follow up Acid Reflux, doubling down on the group’s hybrid of raw energy and refined, deliberate storytelling. Tracks like “Cigarettes” and “Sorry About Joe” hit with their personal insight on growing up; nodding to the past, while looking to the future. The collection imbued hooky guitars with introspective lyricism, each song an honest and relatable insight into the band’s growth, both sonically and personally.
Burp. cites influence from the likes of Microwave and Joyce Manor on the new material. Intricate, Midwest emo leaning riffs splice melodic punk hooks for a splice of honest and infectious indie rock.
Following on from the release of pacey, melodic gem “Ricky Mortis”, “Checkers” splashes Burp’s riffy punk with weighty grunge tones; a reactive and gritty offering capturing the band’s sonic dexterity as well as the bitterness of a relationship coming to an end.
“Checkers” is out now.
Burp. is: Joe Milia, Leo Folan, Matt David, Nathan Richer
