Not to jump the gun on throwing anyone a parade for video of the year, but Like A Motorcycle have a pretty clear shot at taking that particular prize. To celebrate the release of their new album, Dead Broke, the Halifax-based band has simultaneously put out a video for “Punk Two,” the most glorious bit of cinematography ever dedicated to capturing the dark and desperate path that can lead a life to underground Kraft Dinner eating contests.
Since releasing their 2016 debut album, High Hopes, the band has had more than their share of misadventures, “navigating substance abuse, internal romantic break-ups, health issues,” etcetera, and that’s without even figuring in the regular everyday nonsense of 2020.
In the process of all this, along with recording their sophomore album on the other side of the country with veteran producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, Mother Mother) and culminating with having to sell off the fifth member of the band (AKA their van). In short, as the album title suggests, the band is “Dead Broke.”
Suitably, the video features Dave Fultz (The Barrowdowns) on a downward slide in the direction of his goals. It’s a fun adventure but a punch to the heart if you think about it for any length of time.
“’Punk Two’ is a tune about bated breath transactions, seeing the words ‘insufficient funds’ more than the word ‘approved’ and feeling like the debt you’ve incurred is worth more than your actual life,” says Lyricist and guitarist KT Lamond. “It’s written from the perspective of someone who has kind of unwittingly burned all their bridges, sucked people dry, no longer has anyone to turn to for help and having no-one to blame but themselves.”
Like a Motorcycle’s sophomore album, Dead Broke, was released this week via Known Accomplice.