“[‘Worldwide’ is] a song with frantic energy... Alongside the programmed beats and scuzzy guitars, it creates something akin to Devo for the 2x-speed generation.”
- The FADER, Songs You Need In Your Life
“Nashville giants of egg punk” (see/saw) Snooper present “Guard Dog,” the second single/video from their new album, Worldwide, out October 3rd on Third Man Records. Following the “bubbly and jagged” (Glide) lead single “Worldwide,” today’s single “Guard Dog” mulls over the feeling of being boxed in and bogged down by other people’s perceptions of you. On the song’s exhilarating chorus, vocalist Blair Tramel sings: “Contradiction // lifestyle // Stick here for awhile // Believe it true! // Told me what to do? // Dogs only bark when I'm with you.”
Tramel elaborates: “‘Guard Dog‘ is about growth. It’s about the discomfort of feeling too comfortable and recognizing when to make a change. It’s about second guessing yourself, overthinking, trust and distrust, and keeping it moving. It’s about losing and gaining perspective, having a voice, and learning how to use it. Mostly though, it's about having fun - which is the most important thing.”
Over the past few years, Snooper — founded by guitarist Connor Cummins and Tramel — have rocketed from DIY scene stalwarts to widespread adoration in the international underground music scene. The project evolved well beyond anything Tramel and Cummins had originally imagined and faster than they could track, resulting in disorientation as much as exhilaration. Worldwide extends directly from the festering punk the band first made their name on, but documents Snooper becoming bolder, catchier, and more confident.
Snooper — rounded out by bassist Happy Haugen, drummer Brad Barteau, and guitarist Conner Sullivan — recorded Worldwide with John Congleton (St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Explosions in the Sky). Though Snooper had never previously considered working with a producer, Congleton was a fan and the band reflects on the process as being integral to their growth as artists. “The whole idea behind this record was experimentation and change,” Cummins says.
Though no less furious or propulsive than Snooper’s more guitar-driven beginnings, Worldwide may surprise longtime fans. Given they began on a drum machine, Cummins’ initial compositions had a newfound focus on rhythm and repetition. Where their 2023 debut Super Snõõper was intended as a pure representation of Snooper’s feral live show, Worldwide blends intensity with Tramel’s earworm melodic sensibility. Showcasing their most adventurous and unshakeable music to date, Worldwide is a portrait of a band truly coming into their own.
Next month, Snooper will support The Hives on their North American tour. The band will then return to Nashville for their newly announced album release show on October 3rd. A full list of dates is below.
Snooper Tour Dates
Mon. Sept. 8 - Austin, TX @ Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater #
Tue. Sept. 09 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues #
Wed. Sept. 10 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues #
Fri. Sept. 12 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre #
Sat. Sept. 13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union Event Center #
Mon. Sept. 15 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo #
Tue. Sept. 16 - Vancouver, BC @ The Commodore Ballroom #
Wed. Sept. 17 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall #
Fri. Sept. 19 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades #
Sat. Sept. 20 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield #
Mon. Sept. 22 - Del Mar, CA @ The Sound #
Thu. Sept. 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium #
Sun. Sept. 28 - Memphis, TN @ Goner Fest
Fri. Oct. 3 - Nashville, TN @ Eastside Bowl (The Main Stage)
# = with The Hives
