Alien Boys release new EP “Live at Rain City Recorders”
Vancouver’s premiere punk band Alien Boys are proud to announce the release of Live at Rain City Recorders. Recorded at Rain City Recorders with legendary producer Jesse Gander, known for his work with Japandroids, White Lung, The Pack A.D., Brutus, Dead Quiet, and Anciients, the new EP captures the band’s signature chaos and urgency in a raw, one-shot performance. Since the recordings were done in a single take with a single camera, there is very little post-production editing, making this release a true reflection of Alien Boys’ live energy. Gander, who also produced the band’s previous albums Night Danger (2019) and The Weight of it All (2023), brings his masterful ear for energy and intensity to this no-holds-barred session.
Blending a fierce mix of punk, hardcore, and heavy rock, Alien Boys have built a reputation across Canada and the U.S. for delivering blistering shows and politically charged anthems. Pulling influence from bands like The Rebel Spell, The Gits, Dead Kennedys, L7, and Amyl and the Sniffers, they mix searing, melodic vocals and furious riffs with an unwavering DIY spirit. Lyrically, Alien Boys don’t pull punches, taking on topics ranging from police brutality to reproductive rights.
Since forming in 2016, Alien Boys — Sarinn on vocals, Erin and Alex on guitars, Ivana on bass, and Juan on drums — have shared stages with punk legends like DOA, The Dead Boys, The Black Halos, and Propagandhi. Their earlier releases, including the demo Self-Critical Theory (2016) and full-lengths Night Danger (2019) and The Weight of It All (2023), set the stage for Live at Rain City Recorders, a snapshot of a band at their most raw, immediate, and alive.
The live video for Live at Rain City Recorders, filmed in a single uninterrupted take by Robert Zawistowski, captures Alien Boys’ no-frills, all-thrills ethos with brutal honesty: four songs, back to back, no cuts, no hesitation. “We decided to go for a single-camera approach because we really wanted to make a live video that captures the chaos of a punk show,” they say. “This allowed Rob to weave in and out between us, and we love the effect. It did make the video more challenging since it is filmed in a single shot. There is no forgiveness with a single shot. No cutting to b-roll or splicing different takes together. We had to play the four songs straight through. It was fun, and it definitely captures the chaos of a real punk show.” Leading the EP is the new single, “Punching Concrete,” a blistering song that rips into the inevitable and unavoidable hypocrisy of life under late-stage capitalism. “We are all forced to subscribe to these systems in order for us to continue participating in society no matter our beliefs,” they explain. “When we disavow others by holding absolutes close, we alienate ourselves and our community. Accountability is key. We can all make better choices, but we all need to show up together and push in a shared direction to create sustainable change.”
Also included is a searing cover of PJ Harvey’s “Down by the Water,” reimagined through Alien Boys’ distorted, heavy lens. “PJ Harvey is an absolute inspiration, and ‘Down by the Water’ was a welcome challenge for us to cover,” they note. “We love the dark undertones of the song and the potential for multiple meanings folded into the lyrics. It’s a desperate track full of cataclysmic movement. It was deeply satisfying to stylistically translate it into our own sound.”
“Live at Rain City Recorders” is more than just a live recording. It’s a testament to the unrelenting energy and punk spirit that have made Alien Boys a force in Vancouver’s underground scene. With unapologetic, politically charged lyrics and a ferocious live show, this release cements their status as a band that leaves everything on the stage. Their commitment to speaking truth to power, and doing it their own way, makes Live at Rain City Recorders a must-hear for anyone who believes punk music still has something to say. From blistering riffs to searing vocals, Alien Boys channel the contradictions of modern life into pure, cathartic noise. Live at Rain City Recorders is a call to arms — loud, fearless, and impossible to ignore. Mark your calendars for June 11. Live at Rain City Recorders is Alien Boys at full force: raw, restless, and pushing punk forward.