PUP Release Enigmatic Live EP “PUP Unravels Live in Front of Everyone They Know”

Toronto punk rock band Pup released their latest EP, PUP Unravels Live in Front of Everyone They Know on Oct. 22. It is a live EP that consists of PUP’s performances across several of their shows in Toronto earlier this year. The songs on this EP are all on PUP’s 2022 release The Unravelling of Puptheband. The Unravelling of Puptheband was the band’s fourth studio album, with previous records including Pup, Morbid Stuff and The Dream Is Over. Pup has gained critical acclaim from fans and critics alike for their music that blends elements of punk, post rock and indie.

Pup originally started out as the band Topanga. When Topanga was first formed, the band members did not think it would amount to anything big. They considered it to be a side project. They released their self-titled EP in 2010 and toured together for a few years before deciding to make a full-length album. As they were amid this process, they decided to forego the name Topanga, as they felt that it didn’t describe who they were anymore. The new hard punk style that the band now associated themselves with did not seem to correspond to their previous band name. They eventually decided on the name PUP and released their debut album of the same name in 2013.

PUP’s music involves raunchy guitars and bashing drums. They are noisy, boisterous and loud. Their lyrics consist of self-depreciation, struggling with love, and dealing with constant depression and anxiety. All these elements are present full throttle in PUP Unravels Live in Front of Everyone They Know. PUP sounds absolutely brilliant in a live setting- the drums hit even harder, vocalist Stefan Babcock gives us heart wrenching vocals and the overall energy with which the band play is incredible.

On “Four Chords,” Babcock talks about the musical disconnect the band feels between them and their friends. He’s trying new things to try and connect to them, such as learning how to play piano, hoping that four chords will be enough. He talks about how disappointed he is in the narrow music taste of his friends and wishes they would open to other genres.

“Totally Fine” and “Matilda” deal with feelings of depression. On “Totally Fine”, Babcock repeatedly sings:

“You’re never totally fine

I’m never totally fine

We’re never totally fine”

On “Matilda”, the lyrics talk about a person who worries that they are falling behind in life, that they are like an object long forgotten in a store and slowly gathering dust.

Before playing their final song, “PUPTHEBAND Inc. Is Filing for Bankruptcy”, PUP make an announcement saying that this is their favorite song that they’ve ever written. They drop the song name and then go on to render a passionate performance of the song. The song deals with the struggles of going through life professionally. Of how hard it is to find a job, getting burnt out and trying to find happiness in what you do. It is a song that many people in their early to mid-20s will relate to.

PUP’s live EP was a great testament to the power of live music, and they deliver a very very strong performance on it. You can follow PUP on their website, Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to their music on Spotify and YouTube.