Industrialized noise rockers Uniform will have their new studio album “American Standard” out on August 23rd through Sacred Bones. Despite the above press shot, drummers Mike Sharp and Michael Blume, as well as bassist Brad Truax (Interpol), are current members of the outfit, alongside guitarist Ben Greenberg and vocalist Michael Berdan. The first single to meet a release is titled “This Is Not A Prayer“.
Berdan commented:
“Although our new record is best experienced as one cohesive piece, it isn’t exactly ‘Dopesmoker’. The songs on ‘American Standard‘ feed into an overarching narrative with the goal of retaining their own individual identities.
Existing in the netherworld between Public Image Ltd. and Butthole Surfers, ‘This Is Not A Prayer’ best exemplifies the bludgeoning percussive interplay between dual drummers Michael Sharp and Michael Blume. Similar to bands like Swans or even Meshuggah, the guitar, bass, and vocals on this track act in complete service to what’s happening on the kits. The song is as purely rhythmic as we’ve ever dared to attempt, and we hope that these beats will take you where you need to go. Drums should serve as lead instruments in extreme music more often, but I digress…
Thematically, ‘This Is Not A Prayer’ touches on the internal paradox that I’ve experienced while in the throes of an eating disorder. It’s about how the best I’ve ever felt about my physical appearance came when the people I love have told me that I look sick. Rather than taking their concerns to heart, I internalized these sentiments as proof that I was on the right track. I was not.”
Lyrical assistance for the record came from authors B.R. Yeager and Maggie Siebert. Greenberg said of the record:
“When we started this record, Berdan told me: ‘I trust you to come up with a solid foundation for this, however you envision this thing. I want you to realize it completely, because I believe in you.’ So I wanted to write something overwhelming and all-encompassing for Berdan to lead his narrative through… because I trust and believe in him.”
“American Standard” track listing:
01 – “American Standard”
02 – “This Is Not A Prayer”
03 – “Clemency”
04 – “Permanent Embrace”
You can pre-order the album through lnk.to/UniformAmericanStandard.
08/30 New York City, NY – Bowery Ballroom (“American Standard” release show) (feat. Poison Ruin & Leya)
09/03 Landers, CA – Giant Rock
With World Peace:
09/04 Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
09/05 San Francisco, CA – Thee Parkside
09/06 Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
09/07 Seattle, WA – Black Lodge
09/08 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
09/09 Vancouver, BC – The Pearl
09/10 Tacoma, WA – Elks Temple
