It used to be that The Dirty Nil had advantage over all other rock ‘n’ roll bands because they had punchier riffs, sharper hooks, and snazzier collared shirts. No strangers to success, the JUNO Award-winning group have gained accolades, international recognition, and shared stages with the likes of The Who, Foo Fighters, Billy Talent, and Alexisonfire since the release of 2018 Juno Award-nominated crusher Master Volume.
With the world in isolation mode, the Hamilton, ON trio can exploit yet another unique asset – the fact that singer/guitarist Luke Bentham, bassist Ross Miller, and drummer Kyle Fisher all live together in the same house. As a result, the Nil have been able to regularly convene and put the finishing touches on their next album without having to worry about social distancing, face masks, or their 40-minute Zoom time limit running out.
Today, the band provides a preview in the form of the instant, adrenalizing power-pop anthem “Done With Drugs.” Stream the track on your preferred platform now.
Purchase the “Done With Drugs” 7-inch, featuring an exclusive B-side of the Tom Petty standard “Even the Losers,” a song they frequently aired out on the Master Volume tours and one of the first things they jammed on when they started working on the record in early 2019.
As Bentham admits, the song was inspired by his imminent entry into his 30s, and the significant life changes that he and his friends are experiencing as that milestone birthday approaches. But in true cheeky Nil fashion, “Done With Drugs” isn’t exactly the sincere pledge to sobriety it may appear to be on the surface. In fact, it’s not so much about drug use per se, but rather the performative aspects of self-care as they often play out on social media.
