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Leeds-based grunge trio When They Riot are shaking the foundations with their latest EP, Open Season—a politically charged, anthemic masterpiece that smashes through boundaries with bone-crushing riffs and razor-sharp socio-economic commentary.
Bassist Bobby explains the EP’s driving force:"Open Season captures our view of the world today—a grim landscape where working-class people face increasing insecurity in their living standards. These are the very people whose labor creates value, yet neoliberal policies strip them of their rights to benefit those at the top of the power pyramid. The term ‘Open Season’ perfectly encapsulates this exploitative reality."
The title track encapsulates this rage with hard-hitting lyrics: "Going up, going up, never ever coming down, gonna squeeze you till you drop, and I don’t need no reason."
The EP isn’t just about anger—it’s a rollercoaster of raw emotion and personal reflection. Their latest single, Smile, dives into the struggle of masking inner pain while confronting it head-on. The chorus delivers a bold challenge to listeners: acknowledge your own flaws and overcome them because denial only leads to downfall.
As Bobby sums up the theme with a powerful Orwellian quote:"However much you deny the truth, the truth goes on existing, as it were, behind your back."
From fiery rebellion to introspective resilience, Open Season is a manifesto for change and a reminder of the strength found in self-accountability. Are you ready to join the riot?
Unleashing Unfiltered Energy: When They Riot, the Explosive 3-Piece Grunge/Rock Band from Leeds, UK
Leeds-based powerhouse, When They Riot, is a formidable 3-piece grunge/rock band, unapologetically channeling raw, unfiltered energy and an insatiable love for electrifying, face-crunching guitars.
DSCVRD - Magazine aptly describes the band as "effortlessly energetic, charged with youthful vigor and urgency - truly prepared for an uprising."
Emerging from the vibrant college scene in Newcastle, Tom and Luke laid the foundation of the band. Fate brought them to Bobby, who was working at music venues in Leeds, and thus, When They Riot was born.
Their debut self-titled EP surfaced just before the Covid pandemic struck, momentarily halting their momentum. However, with the release of their 2021 single, 'Save Us From Ourselves,' the band's live sound flourished as they embarked on extensive UK tours, steadily building an organic fanbase and thriving through the DIY approach.
When They Riot's debut single, the crowd-pleasing love-ballad 'Nobody's Perfect,' set the stage for their second music video, scheduled for release in the Summer of 2023.
By fusing 90's grunge with 00's Alt-Rock, and infusing a touch of 80's boogie rock, When They Riot establishes themselves as a mainstay in the alternative music scene.
True to their name's essence, When They Riot offers a haven for those struggling with modern living, providing a space to exorcise their suppressed biological atavism that society attempts to restrain. For When They Riot, rebellion emerges when all obedience and control have been shed. Brace yourself for the storm as When They Riot is set to take the world by force.
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