The Sonics Return With Scorching New Single, ‘Bad Betty’
Legendary garage rockers the Sonics are back with a super charged new single, 'Bad Betty,' from their forthcoming album. The band's new recording, their first full fledged effort since 1967, 'This Is the Sonics,' is due out March 31 via their own Revox label.
The Sonics are still comprised of original members Jerry Roslie (keys/vocals), Larry Parypa (guitar/vocals), and Rob Lind (saxophone/harp/vocals). The band is rounded out by Freddie Dennis on bass and drummer Dusty Watson. While this is the Sonics first new music sine '67, an album of re-recorded songs, 'Sinderella,' was released on Bomp in 1980.
'Bad Betty,' the first tune from the upcoming LP, is an out-and-out scorcher. The band has not lost one bit of the fire in their bones as they deliver the goods like their lives depend on it -- something countless reunited bands seem to have forgotten. The song was first issued on a split 7-inch with Mudhoney for Record Store Day last year. You can hear it below:
Since reforming for various gigs in 2007, the band has remained active playing festivals headlining their own shows. Ask anyone who has seen them in recent years and you will hear a testimonial to their powerful performances.
Hailing from Tacoma, Wash., the Sonics (along with the Wailers, the Kingsmen and Paul Revere & the Raiders) were part of a thriving rock and roll scene in the northwest circa the early '60s. The band delivered a raw and guttural sound that would influence generations of raunchy rockers, including the Cramps, Mudhoney and Billy Childish. Though they never had a hit single, their reputation has continued to grow over the decades thanks to classics like 'Psycho,' The Witch,' and 'Boss Hoss' to name but a few.
The new album was produced by Jim Diamond, whose reputation behind the board is unparalleled when it comes to straight ahead rock and roll. Just ask a few of his past clients: the White Stripes, the Dirtbombs, and the Cynics.