Toronto punk heroes PUP share first single in two years "Paranoid" and announce UK & EU tour.
PUP comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski - released their fourth album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, in 2022.
The album earned PUP universal acclaim, countless Top 10 Billboard chart positions including #1 Heatseekers, Top New Artists Albums and Alternative New Artist Albums, and a slew of sold-out shows across the globe. They’re keeping it going with an arena tour on home turf in support of Sum 41 that kicks off tomorrow night, so to celebrate they return today with a new single. The explosive, John Congleton-produced track “Paranoid” is out now, and marks PUP’s first new release in two years.
Stefan Babcock says of the new single:
“My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band. But somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously.
There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.”
“Paranoid” is accompanied by an ingenious, whipsmart music video by long-time PUP collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, who said:
“What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and centre turned into a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table.
Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!
The band are also launching their MORE BAD STUFF - A PUPTHEBAND Substack. A reincarnation of the band’s zine series PUPTHEZINE, this Substack will be an ongoing digital version or, as they like to call it, “PUPTHEBAND’S brand new digital hellscape.”
They will use it to post unreleased songs, discuss the writing process, play-through tracks, and to share comics, old photos, live recordings, tour stories and more. The first two posts, featuring the original 4-song EP of pre-PUP band Topanga and some Built To Spill covers by Stefan, are out now
And to follow on from their sold-out dates with Jimmy Eat World here at the tail-end of last year, PUP also announce their return to UK and EU shores for a headline tour in May with full dates listed below.
For the EU/UK dates, the band will take Illuminati Hotties along as their main support (all shows excluding Spain) and Goo will additionally join for the UK run.
Tour Dates
Canada
10/01/2025 - Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
11/01/2025 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
13/01/2025 - Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
16/01/2025 - Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
17/01/2025 - Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
18/01/2025 - Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre
20/01/2025 - Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Place
23/01/2025 - St. Catharines, ON @ Meridian Centre
24/01/2025 - Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
25/01/2025 - Laval, QC @ Place Bell
27/01/2025 - London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
28/01/2025 - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
30/01/2025 - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
UK and EU
07/05/2025 - Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
08/05/2025 - Leeds, UK @ Project House
10/05/2025 - Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
11/05/2025 - Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 (TV Studio)
12/05/2025 - Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University
13/05/2025 - Bristol, UK @ Marble Factory
15/05/2025 - Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
16/05/2025 - London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
18/05/2025 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
20/05/2025 - Cologne, Germany @ Club Volta
21/05/2025 - Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
22/05/2025 - Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
23/05/2025 - Munich, Germany @ Strom
25/05/2025 - Paris, France @ Bellevilloise
27/05/2025 - Madrid, Spain @ Sala Mon
28/05/2025 - Barcelona, Spain @ Upload
29/05/2025 - València, Spain @ Loco Club
30/05/2025 - San Sebastian, Spain @ Dabadaba
Tickets here