“I hate music, what is it worth? / Can’t bring anyone back to this earth.” So goes the opening line of the latest share from Superchunk’s forthcoming 10th album I Hate Music. While the lyric may be true, the Chapel Hill alt-rock heroes do resurrect the name of a late dub music great in the song’s name: “Me & You & Jackie Mittoo.” The specter of the former Skatalites keyboardist appears via a cassette playing in the tape deck of the car that’s central to the lyrical action. Singer Mac McCaughan seems to be remembering a summer in his salad days, while the band backs him up with some good old star-spangled power-pop.
I Hate Music is due August 20 on the label these guys founded back in 1989, Merge Records. We’ve also heard “FOH” from the same set, while McCaughan recently swung by the A.V. Club to cover Jonathan Richman’s “That Summer Feeling.” Superchunk hit the road in August, though unfortunately without founding bassist Laura Ballance — she’s sitting it out due to a worsening hearing condition. Fresh dates can be found after the new tune.
Superchunk tour dates:
August 22 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West^
August 23 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle^
August 24 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle^
September 2 – Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot
September 3 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore w/ Mikal Cronin
September 4 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre w/ Colleen Green
September 6 – Portland, OR @ MusicFestNW @ Crystal Ballroom
September 7 – Chicago, IL @ A.V. Fest and Hideout Block Party
September 21 – Byers, CO @ Riot Fest & Sideshow
September 22 – Byers, CO @ Riot Fest & Sideshow
September 23 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater#
September 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer#
September 26 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club#
September 27 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom#
September 28 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom#
September 29 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club#
November 10 – Melbourne, AU @ Harvest Festival
November 16 – Sydney, AU @ Harvest Festival
November 17 – Brisbane, AU @ Harvest Festival
November 29–Dec 01 – Camber Sands, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties
^ w/ Parting Gifts
# w/ Spider Bags
