Seattle-bred Pirates Press Records signees The Drowns have quickly become one of our favorite Punk/Hardcore bands here at The Witzard. Their sophomore album, Under Tension, was quietly released earlier this year with production work throughout from Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Gaslight Anthem.) We, actually, had the opportunity to speak with The Drowns' Aaron "Rev" Peters & Andy Wylie back in late July. At that point in time, The Drowns had released music videos for singles, "Hold Fast" & "Them Rats," as well as flexi-disc 7-inches for "Demons," "Hold Fast" (Hold Fast Demons,) "Black Lung," and "Wolves On The Throne." During this pandemic, The Drowns have stayed relatively busy with Rev & Andy Wylie both contributing remotely-recorded solo sets as part of Pirates Press' socially-distant "festival" Rock The Sofa—rather than their annual Rock The Ship event—held this past April. Plus, Drowns drummer Jake Margolis has stayed busy, as well, by recording and releasing his own series of self-shot drum covers on his YouTube channel, including selections from The Clash, The Police, Dropkick Murphys, Elvis Costello, and, of course, The Drowns' own "One More Pint" from Under Tension. Now, just in time for Labor Day Weekend, The Drowns have returned with their latest video for "Black Lung," but we'll let Pirates Press Founder Eric "Skippy" Mueller take it from here. The Drowns' phenomenal album, Under Tension is now available on streaming services, as well as from your favorite brick-and-mortar record store, via Pirates Press Records.

"We are excited to bring you the latest from the giant list of things that 2020 has taken away from @TheDrowns... Hopefully, Thursday's music video premiere (originally meant to help promote multiple tours that didn't happen this spring) will brighten your day, regardless of where this wonderfully-destructive year has YOU sitting #RockTheSofa. Of all The Pirate bands who have suffered the tragedy that this year has become, @TheDrowns have, arguably, had it the worst. To drop a new record right before the world drops a bombshell, like COVID-19, is a nightmare no band should ever have to endure.

Nonetheless, these guys have done it in style, making the most at every turn, turning lemons into lemonade, even if they're f**king sick of drinking and serving up lemonade. 🍋 🎶 🍋 Everyone in the @PiratesPressRecords family stands with @TheDrowns and even though none of us have taken #UnderTension off the turntable yet, we are all unbelievably excited to hear NEW music (and, hopefully, see their smiling faces in person) before the year is out. #F**k2020. ALL HAIL #TheDrowns!... SHOT AT @georgetown_records (pre-pandemic!)"

- Eric "Skippy" Mueller (@thepirateskipper)