When a band says they take inspiration from the father of gonzo himself, Hunter S. Thompson, you better expect some pretty out there rock and roll. Thankfully, Pennsylvania blues metal rockers Crobot don’t take the Fear and Loathing writer’s name in vain. The title of their latest album, Welcome to Fat City, is taken from a campaign promise the author made when he ran his infamous campaign to become Sheriff of Aspen, Colorado. His proposal was to rename the municipality Fat City to deter greedy “land-rapers and other human jackals” from making a buck off the fair, frozen town. Crobot play with this concept right from the get-go on the new record’s title and opening track.
“‘Welcome to Fat City, the title track from our latest album, sets precedent for the groove-laden riffage that takes place throughout the album,” frontman Brandon Yeagley explains to Consequence of Sound. “Inspired by Hunter S Thompson’s campaign for Sheriff of Aspen, Fat City is a planet of sanctuary for the scum of the universe and cigar-smoking big wigs Hunter hoped to keep out of his fine city. Instead, we welcome them with open arms ’cause down here, it’s always gritty. Step right up Beardos and Welcome to Fat City!”
As the welcoming anthem, the band has thrown together a stomping slice of doom. Chris Bishop’s explosive guitar fuels a rocket of funk that rips through the facade of decency that surrounds planet Earth as he and his bandmates guide you into this alternate world of hedonism. That bluesy funk is given all the right kinds of grimey weight thanks to the lowend of Jake Figueroa’s bass and Paul Figueroa’s storming drums. “There’s no such thing as greed/ There’s no such thing as shame,” belts Yeagley as this interplanetary metal spacecraft brings Fat City into view. “In fact, all of those things no longer have a name/ But follow me, I know the place to go.”
Take a listen below.
Welcome to Fat City is out September 23rd via Wind-up Record.