Red Kate shares third record ‘Exit Strategy’

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Red Kate is a no-nonsense, class-conscious punk rock outfit. The four-piece outfit is formed by singer and bass player L. Ron Drunkard, drummer Andrew Whelan, rhythm guitarist Shaun Hamontree and Mike Campbell on lead who together craft a fierce rock sound that takes cues from the golden era of punk music and repackage it for a modern audience.

Their hometown’s ethos permeates their music, instilling it with a gritty perspective on sound, lyricism and work ethic. Red Kate channels the spirit of a bygone era when musicians embraced hard work, late nights and union solidarity, delivering a classic approach to punk rock. Despite tackling serious lyrical themes, Red Kate believes in delivering their message with a side of good old-fashioned fun. Setting their songwriting sights on the rise of negativity, hate and injustice in the world, their music is instilled with meaningful writing.

Their commitment to the underground music scene led them to establish the not-for-profit record label cooperative, Black Site, dedicated to helping other bands produce vinyl records. First unveiling their sound on their debut album When the Trouble Comes back in 2013, their sophomore LP came three years later with Unamerican Activities.

Now they bring us their latest release with their third full-length album titled Exit Strategy, a thirteen-track blast through their energising punk sound released via their Black Site imprint. Distilling the turbulent world around them, the band serves up an angsty dissection of the current state of things while seeking to lay down the road map for escape.

Kicked off with “Don’t Think Too Much,” the album immediately jumps with the blistering pace of the band’s punchy drums, crunchy guitar riffs, slick leads and lively bass, capped by commanding vocal leads. Serving up a potent dose of uptempo rock and roll brimming with punk attitude, it’s a memorable outing that pulls you straight into the Red Kate world.

“She’s in Love” injects catchy melodic ideas with bouncy vocal lines riding above the twang of guitars and relentless energy of the drums and bass. Peppered with rolling drum fills and a gritty guitar solo, it’s the perfect showcase of Red Kate’s hard and fast sound with an anthemic and catchy twist.

Next up, “Escape Room” follows with a moody aesthetic that settles into a dark soundscape of chugging guitars and swaggering vocal delivery. Rising to a bold chorus where vocal hooks collide with the impactful burst of instrumentation, the track delivers the band’s uncompromising sound in a stormy rock cocktail.

Filled with raucous tracks, the album features highlights including “Home of the Slave,” an exhilarating rock ride driven by splashing drums and charged guitar riffs as powerful vocals carrying biting lyricism. “Mind Control” launches with a grooving energy before flowing with brash guitar work and belted vocal lines to serve up a slick rock anthem.

Closing the album is the lead single “Shut It Down” and its alternate version, Dex Mix, a song that offers a soundtrack for working class heroes the world over. From the tension building lead guitar intro to the crash of cymbals, the track casts an uptempo rock rollercoaster packed full of aggressive hooks, crowd style call and response vocal lines and fiery guitar work to craft a wild trip from start to finish and provide an epic finale to the band’s superb new record.

Listen to Exit Strategy below