Nuclear Tourism’s ‘Coolant EP’ released
Skateboard punk band Nuclear Tourism’s lastest EP released on September 27, 2024
Athens, GA skateboarding punks Nuclear Tourism are back at it again with the high-energy and hard-hitting new Coolant EP, released September 27, 2024 by Athens boutique label Indecent Artistry and DIY skate/music zine and label HARDTACK. The gang returns to their beer-chugging, spliff -smoking, crowd-surfing ways with 4 new tracks sure to make you hit the bong and say “Sweet, dude”. Complete with a limited edition vinyl lathe cut, run of cassette tapes, and digital release, no Hi-Fi system, phone speaker, or street corner is safe from the terror of the Coolant EP. Fans of The Chats, FIDLAR, Amyl and the Sniffers, and classic skate punk alike rejoice: The boys are back with a fresh dose of greasy garage rock madness sure to make you bang your head and take your pants off.
The Coolant EP came to life in early 2024 with Nuclear Tourism teaming up with local producer and Indecent Artistry head Adam Wayton to create something special before drummer Brennan Murphy left to spend most of the year in Osaka, Japan. Coolant captures the mysticism and grit of revered garage and punk records before it, being recorded entirely to half-inch tape in Wayton’s basement studio, The Eye. In a true Athens collaboration, Wayton’s business Indecent Artistry teamed up with DIY label and zine HARDTACK for release of the Coolant EP. HARDTACK, cofounded by Nuclear Tourism frontman Parker Allen, releases quarterly issues promoting local skateboarding and music content alongside hosting barn-burning call-the-cops house shows and parties almost weekly. The collective has also released dozens of local hardcore, punk, and noise cassettes for the independent Athens music scene.
While the Coolant EP only has a 4 song and less than 10-minute run time, Nuclear Tourism covers a lot of ground amongst the collection. The title track “Coolant” is a fuzz-soaked garage rock anthem complete with a barrage of power chords, a scathing lead guitar track, and saturated vocals reminiscent of Fun House era Stooges. The track kicks off the EP with Allen howling “I’m in a hole, can’t get out… and there’s so many things I wanna talk to you about. I’m getting fucked… going down and I’m really really sick of seeing you around.”
The second track “Nerve” sees the group take a more modern approach to power pop a la the Replacements and The Bats. “Nerve” showcases the group’s tight rhythm section and Nate Beveridge’s tasteful and melodic bass playing along with interlocking guitar parts and classically cool back up vocals.
Perhaps the most cinematic of the EP “Stupid” shows Nuclear Tourism in rare-form, starting as a stripped back stream-of-conscious neighborhood jaunt. The track slowly builds with Lap steel, bass guitar, drums, aux percussion and lead guitar joining one-by-by as the track meanders along. “It’s all good, I need to love you more like I should” Allen contemplates midway through the track.
“Phone Song” closes out the EP with a Twin Peaks meets Black Lips pop number. The group telephones back and forth between Allen’s lead vocals and the groups’ gang vocal response, guitar licks answered by a sweet 12 string melody, and wraps with dainty and sweet electric piano to close the EP.
Click the image to listen to Coolant EP on Spotify
Limited Edition lathe-cut vinyl is available on Bandcamp.