A Rowdy, Reflective Anthem Born from Late Nights and Long Hangovers
Austin altrock outfit Bad Press return with “Wasted,” out now. It’s a bluessoaked, barroom signature track that captures the reckless joy of youth and the sobering clarity that follows it. The single marks a pivotal moment for the band, bridging the raw spirit of their early days with the sharpened creative force they’ve become.
Bad Press is Tanner Loach (vocals), Devlin Manning (bass), and Sebastian Erdman (drums) and first came together in Dallas TX in 2020.
“Wasted” traces its origins back five years, when the band was sprawled across their living room, nursing yet another hangover and planning the next night out. “Originally the song’s message was ‘check us out we’re badasses, we don’t care what day it is we’re just gonna have a good time.’ Looking back at that time in our lives that song now feels both nostalgic for good times with good friends and a somewhat cautionary tale that you can definitely take things too far.”
The track pulls directly from a long stretch of nights spent drinking too much, staying out too late, and getting smashed simply because they could. Those chaotic memories fuel the song’s swagger, humor, and emotional undercurrent. “When someone listens to this song, we hope it inspires them to shotgun a beer, pour way too large of a shot, and have a night you won’t remember,” the band jokes, “though the song’s deeper meaning reveals itself with time.”
Bad Press says, “Originally this song was very rough, we sat on it for a few years not really planning on releasing it until we started working with super producer Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Asking Alexandria) at Pearl Sound Studios in Detroit. We re-recorded most of the instrumentals at 12th Street Studios in Austin and worked with Chuck to polish the song into what it is today. It still retains a feel of messiness while being a much more coherent composition.”
“Wasted” combines both old and new creative processes for Bad Press. The demo was written when the band was just starting out and the soul of the single definitely reflects that time. Nevertheless, the end result is a reflection of the creative partnerships and tools they currently had at our disposal. The song is both a glance at the past and a leap forward for them.
Bad Press’ songwriting process is as eclectic as their influences. While Sebastian often brings the initial spark, the band emphasizes that their music is shaped collectively, each member adding their own background, instincts, and emotional lens. Some songs, like “Wasted,” come straight from lived experience. Others dive into conceptual storytelling. That range is part of what defines Bad Press: a band unafraid to shift, experiment, and let each track find its own identity.
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Spotify – Bad Press