SICK JOKES "CULT OF IGNORANCE”
COP INTERNATIONAL’s 100th Digital Release
OAKLAND, CA, May 3, 2024: COP International are excited to announce our digital centennial with a bold, boundary-pushing release from the global electro-pop-metal collective SICK JOKES. The EP draws title and inspiration from Isaac Asimov’s timeless take on the pathologically false American notion that “democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” This is not just music, it’s a statement, and a sonic revolution—once again mixed and exec-produced by our own in-house wizard JOHN FRYER (4AD, NIN, DMODE…)
Says Sick Jokes vocalist/drummer SEAN HAEZEBROUCK, “Picture this: a fierce warrior goddess, riding a giant metal wasp, delivering a large order of protest anthems.” Haezebrouck, MICHAEL MADILL and ROBERT MCCARROLL, along with four powerful guest vocalists, have taken Sick Jokes to their apex predator phase here, with a six-chapter blast of social commentary wrapped in infectious grooves, dark humor and cover art that winks at Delacroix.
From the get-go, "CULT OF IGNORANCE" grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go as Los Angeles’s DEVON THOMPSON sets it all ablaze on "THE WORST IS YET TO COME.” Following in the number two position, ”DRUGS" features the Pinktator PLASMIC along with voiceover legend THOM KIKOT laying his dulcet baritone on the operative word before we move to Chapter 3: “COWARDS," which according to Haezebrouck is “a high-octane middle finger aimed straight at humanity’s failure to make amends for their very profitable enviromental catastrophe.”
As the EP progresses, the intensity doesn’t waver. "GUNSHINE" beams a harsh spotlight on America’s not-so-secret shame, with MOLLY LEACH’s haunting vocals hitting you right in the full metal jacket. "BAD TIMES ARE HERE TO STAY" is an industrial anthem that harkens back to the genre’s golden era, with a a gritty, bashing edge that nods to Bukowski and RevCo alike.
Closing out the EP is the dark and punishing “SHADE," featuring sultry vocals from the mysterious TYLER C, and ghostly soundscapes from the song’s OG guitarist DAVID JOHNSON. It’s the perfect, enigmatic close to a musical journey that provokes the grey matter while banging the skull.
SICK JOKES have crafted something truly special here for our 100th… a psychosonic masterpiece that demands to be heard, felt, and reckoned with. Caveat auditor.
releases May 3, 2024
SICK JOKES is Sean Haezebrouck | Michael Madill | Robert McCarroll
@sickjokesband
Vocals on “The Worst Is Yet to Come” by Devon Thompson
@devonthompsonmusic
Vocals on “Drugs” by Plasmic
@plasm1c
Vocals on “Gunshine” by Molly Leach
@mollydianedelman
Vocals on “Shade” by Tyler C
@boy.haunt
Produced by Sick Jokes
Mixed and Executive Production by John Fryer
Mastered by SLam/Stephen Lam
Drums on 1 & 2 recorded by Matt Parmenter, Ice Cream Factory Studio, Austin, TX
Drums on 3 & 4 recorded by Gavin Ross, Steady Studios, Burbank, CA
Cover art by Greg Rolfes
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