Stockholm post-punk band Viagra Boys have dropped a new single from their forthcoming album Welfare Jazz out January 8th via YEAR0001. “In Spite Of Ourselves” (below) featuring Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers and originally written by the late John Prine, rides the twangy country duet through an apocalyptic thunderstorm. Of the song Sebestian Murphy explains:
“When I heard in spite the first time I instantly had an urge to do a cover or it and I instantly knew that I wanted Amy to sing Iris Dement’s part because of her unique voice. I love that she sings with an Australian accent which is not too common in country songs I’ve heard before. I’ve listened to the sniffers since way back when we started and Benke showed me ‘I’m not a loser’. then I’ve had the privilege of playing with them and hangin out and partying with Amy and the band all over the world and we’ve hit it off from the start. Amy is a goddess of punk rock and a very important part of music today, and one of the smartest people I’ve talked to and it’s an honor to able to make music with her and I hope we can do more in the future!”
Taylor adds:
“I was so excited when Viagra Boys asked me to do a duet with them. Sebastian is a classy man but let’s be true, we’re both insanely feral and gross, so the lyrics are perfect, I love tomato sauce and have a foul mouth so it’s like his singing right to me, what an honour. Sebs a country music fan, and so am I, so it was really sweet to do a little nice duet and he actually introduced John Prine to me now i’m a fan. Viagra Boys and Sniffers see each other here and there around when we’re touring, i’ve got all the time in the world for them and their music. Gus our bass player even represents a full VB track suit, hat and all! I remember when we were in London once and Viagra Boys were playing, Gus and Bryce went and ended up sleeping in a park because they had too much fun. I rode a ferris wheel with Benke once when they were in Australia last year. I want to try that hectic stupid canned fish they always talk about. Shrimp Jazz for life!”
