Tune In and Drop Out with The Shivas' "Doom Revolver" (Suicide Squeeze)
The Shivas. Photo courtesy of Tyler Bertram
After 16 years of making music and touring, the sound of Portland’s The Shivas is nearly impossible to pin down. That being said, their latest release “Doom Revolver” comes close.
This single marks the band’s first release since their 2021 album Feels so Good//Feels so Bad. Released by Suicide Squeeze Records as part of their Pinks and Purples singles series, “Doom Revolver” embodies the act of letting go. From the opening riff of an electric guitar–which seems to bubble and cascade over itself–to the reverb-heavy harmonies, this EP implores you, after several particularly tumultuous years, to relax and not attempt to struggle against the flow.
Released on May 23rd, “Doom Revolver” is the sonic culmination of nearly two decades’ worth of sonic exploration. The Shivas have tapped into every sound across the spectrum, ranging from the folk-rock tendencies of the Mama and the Papas to punk riffs that are characteristic of the Strokes. Such a fluctuation between sounds may seem inevitable when considering the musical trends and changes that this band has witnessed over the course of its evolution. Formed in 2006 while most of the members were high school students, the growth of The Shivas’ sound has mirrored that of its young members, and arguably the alternative rock scene at large.
Now in 2022, “Doom Revolver” realizes that nothing in life is expected, and that it's necessary to take things as they come and roll with the punches. Indeed, this single expands on the themes explored in Feels so Good//Feels so Bad—namely, that of enlightenment through acceptance. Born from the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Shivas’ most recent music has taken on the message of embracing what comes.
The Shivas. Photo courtesy of Kevin Olmedo
“Doom Revolver” opens with an almost-twangy electric guitar, competing with heavy drums and crashing cymbals for dominance of the overture. This cacophony illustrates the chaos that is antithetical to the message of the song, immediately imbuing one with the sense that it would be best enjoyed outdoors with a warm PBR in hand.
The instrumental intro then breaks. Singer and drummer Kristin Leonard’s vocals harmonize beautifully with guitarist and singer Jared Molyneux to create a quasi-psychedelic experience wherein the listener feels engulfed. As the song enters its first verse, the abrasive guitar riffs fade away—allowing a more psychedelic and 60s-influenced sound to take center stage. Enveloped by these hypnotic vocals, one can not help but find peace in their message, “Don’t run, don't have no fear / There’s nothing you can do, the end is here.”
If you’re looking for the summer anthem to help you ‘turn on, tune in, and drop out’ after a long hard start to 2022, “Doom Revolver” has you covered.
Stream “Doom Revolver” below!
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