Diarrhea Planet – “Life Pass”

So here we are: maybe the best new hard rock out there today is being made by a band with maybe the worst name ever. But if you have the fortitude for scatalogogical nomenclature coined, somewhat predictably, in a college dorm room years ago, then Diarrhea Planet should surely satisfy your air-guitar itch. The Nashville group draws on an array of feel-good American rock idioms: 70s power pop of the kind heard in 80s Minneapolis garages; Night Ranger-style guitar heroics; punk’s loud fast rules; and a generous heaping of guitar licks laid down by a Southern rock-inspired army of not three, but four guitarists. The result is a formidable Super-rock vehicle that was built originally for joy rides but, to the surprise of its owners, is now ready for drag racing, as “Life Pass” demonstrates.

On their new album Turn To Gold — yes, there’s another scatological reference — Diarrhea Planet have managed to polish 11 tracks of high-octane rock to radio-ready standards while keeping their DIY “School of Rock” spirit intact. The album keeps things moving with little surprises here and there, like some tasty finger-picking breaks and (as on “Lie Down”) a knack for crafting the godhead anthem. Catch Diarrhea Planet’s legendary show when they hit the road later this summer and fall.

Turn To Gold is out now on Infinity Cat Recordings.

DIARRHEA PLANET ON TOUR:
7/23 – Nashville, TN @ Elliston Place Street Fest
8/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Wrecking Ball Festival
8/20 – Omaha, NE @ Maha Festival
8/23 – Livingston, MT @ Pine Creek Lodge
8/24 – Missoula, MT @ The Palace
8/25 – Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo
8/26 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
8/27 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
8/28 – Portland, OR @ Project Pabst
8/31 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
9/2-4 – Denver, CO @ Riot Fest & Rodeo
9/8 – Little Rock, AR @ Revolution Music Room
9/9 – Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
9/10-11 – St. Louis, MO @ Loufest
9/16-18 – Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest & Carnival
9/27 – Detroit, MI @ El Club
9/28 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
9/29 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt
9/30 – Burlington, VT @ ArtsRiot
10/1 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
10/2 – Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall Lounge
10/4 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
10/6 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/7 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/11 – Richmond, VA @ Broadberry
10/12 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cats Cradle