Peak Eradicator, the new record from Chicago squash-punk outfit The Eradicator, is part fan fiction, part truth. It follows the titular character—The Eradicator, a combative, ski-mask-wearing squash player—as he tries to find his place in the world and the local squash club standings, backed by fist-pumping, Fucked Up-meets-Andrew W.K. anthemics. Live in concert, The Eradicator is in character, masked and driven solely by squash. But behind it all is vocalist and guitarist Andy Slania, a regular dude working in IT trying to find his place in the world, too.
Slania grew up on Kids In The Hall, which originated The Eradicator character: a weird, mischievous sportsfreak breaking into boardroom meetings to challenge “pusshead” businessmen to squash matches, swatting the air with his racket. It stuck with Slania, who understood The Eradicator as an outsider.
Peak Eradicator carries the hardcore hallmarks of Slania’s previous work and the poppy composition and major-key riffing of Maury and Bollis’ former outfit (Galactic Cannibal). Through the record, The Eradicator faces down competitors and sports-related injuries, loses friends and reflects on falling in love (with his racket). “I’mma Be Me,” a barrelling anthem of self-love and weirdo empowerment, crescendos with jubilant, harmonized lead guitars over thundering half-time drums before Slania bursts back in, roaring: “I’MMA BE ME!”
credits
released October 4, 2019
Engineered by Pete Grossmann at Bricktop Recording from November 2018 to January 2019
Mixed by Mike Kennerty in February 2019
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in March 2019
Layout and Illustrations by Eric Baskauskas at Wall of Youth
Additional Illustrations by Adam Schurman
Live Photos by Tommy Calderon, Katie Leslie, Jeremy McGuire, Mike Beall, Natalie Annette, Gabe Lugo, Patrick Houdek, Kendra Sheetz, and Emily Newbold
Pie Photo by Sarah Joyce
The Eradicator on this recording is:
Vocals, Sequencing – Andy Slania
Lead Guitar – Steve Maury
Guitar – Scott Thomson
Bass, Backup Vocals – Ryan Bollis
Drums – Danny Walkowiak
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The Eradicator concept is based on the Kids in the Hall sketch of the same name.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of this project in current, previous, and future form, which includes Danny Walkowiak, Steve Maury, Ryan Bollis, Nick Woods, Justin Morrow, Chris Siuty, Kevin Chapman, Dave Hofer, Scott Thomson, Lawrence Kole, Taylor Shupe, Josh Stacey, Adam Schurman, Chris Lidstone, Alex Ewigleben, Matt Stacks, Dylan Wachman, Tommy McPhail, Caleb Coffey, Luke Gunn, Mike Gamm, Matt Sears, Eduard Panen, Brent Vida, Will Adair II, Ryan (Scottie) Solava, Damien Maunders, Pete Lowry, Joe Guiton, Kevin Scott, and Jake Ihde.
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