As reported this morning on SPIN.com, Fucked Up have premiered an interesting and interactive video for their 21-minute-long track, “Year of the Hare”, which appears on their forthcoming EP of the same name that’ll be available June 16 from Deathwish.  Check out the video now on the band’s website and follow the cryptic instructions to play around and unveil various clips and loops from the song.  Fucked Up guitarist Mike Haliechuk commented, “The theme of ‘Year of the Hare’ focuses on time, and becoming lost in it.  The modern way of life, getting stuck in time-sucking gadgets and trends, stress and scheduling.  This unsolvable video we thought was an appropriate way to premiere the song online – in small little chunks of time that are impossible to navigate through, you can only get lost in them and try to find your way out.”  You can read a more in-depth explanation from Haliechuck on this interactive video in his new interview with Exclaim.
Fucked Up are one of the most prolific hardcore punk bands of our generation. Since their 2001 inception, they’ve challenged listeners with thoughtful artful chaos and a seemingly limitless drive for musical experimentation. Because of this, they’ve also become a record collectors worst nightmare; releasing over 80 recordings and collaborations on countless labels that include Arts & Crafts, Matador, Jade Tree, and more.  Year of the Hare is the latest installment of their Zodiac themed releases. Over a two year period, it was recorded and constructed at Electrical Audio, Key Club Studios, and Candle Studios. Title track “Year of the Hare” is a 21 minute epic that frantically mixes traditional instrumentation, piano/synths, flutes and sax, experimental editing/soundscapes, and guest vocals from great Isla Craig into one dizzying experience while B-Side “California Cold” slowly builds and deconstructs over an 8 and a half minute stretch.
 
To mark the release of Year of the Hare (available June 16th from Deathwish), Fucked Up will expand their live lineup to 9 members by including friends DOOMSQUAD to embark on a string of exclusive Zodiac shows.  Fucked Up will perform a different set of Zodiac songs each night; many of these songs have never been played live before, and this tour will allow the band to flex a more improvisational and experimental muscle, while retaining all of the power and frenzy of a Fucked Up show.   Check out tour dates below and keep up with Fucked Up via their website.
 
June 26  The Wick – Brooklyn, NY
June 27  Monty Hall – Jersey City, NJ
June 28  International House Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
June 29  Howard Theatre – Washington, DC
July 1  Southern Pine Company – Savannah, GA
July 2  Eyedrum Gallery – Atlanta, GA
July 3  Saturn – Birmingham, AL
July 5  Third Man – Nashville, TN
July 6  The Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago, IL
July 24  Wayhome Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON