The Menzingers, Tigers Jaw, and Culture Abuse at Club Red in Mesa, AZ on Nov 13, 2019

Philadelphia-by-way-of Scranton punk band, The Menzingers’ latest album, 2014’s phenomenal ‘Rented World’ was their second for Epitaph Records following the highly acclaimed ‘On The Impossible Past,’ which was released in 2012. Universal praise for both albums applauded the band for its punk roots and quintessentially Midwest romantics. The same accolades have followed The Menzingers since they formed as teenagers and released their first records, ‘Chamberlain Waits’ (2010) and ‘A Lesson In The Abuse of Information Technology’ (2007). No longer housemates in Scranton, PA, the title to ‘Rented World’ mirrors the band’s lifestyle since moving to Philly in 2008. They were renting separate abodes around the city, but maintained a practice space in North Philly where the majority of the record was written. Faithfully archetypal Rust Belt punk, ‘Rented World’ is an album concerned with maintaining a sense of self, the softening of posture, and the burden of harsh realities. ‘Rented World’ remains punk, while fearlessly colliding the snarl of early emo with grungy, 90s grit (‘Bad Things’) and exploring the celestial expanse of post-rock (‘Transient Love’). It’s slightly new territory for a band coping with their mid-twenties, and whether you've been there or you’re on the way there you’ll be able to identify the maturation that comes with the milestone. While the previous two records live in the trademark angst of Chicago producer Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio and Lawrence Arms) and his Atlas Studio sound, The Menzingers kept it Philly-local for ‘Rented World’, enlisting Jonathan Low, whose distinctively rich Americana sound resonates through the careers of The War On Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, and The National. Since releasing the album last year, The Menzingers have been touring worldwide, supporting the likes of Taking Back Sunday in their native US, as well as heading to Australia to play with The Smith Street Band. In the UK, the band completed a phenomenal headline tour towards the end of 2014 which saw them sell out London’s Electric Ballroom. This summer continues their busy touring schedule with performances at the legendary Reading and Leeds Festivals on the horizon, as well as a support slot with The Offspring at their London and Manchester shows in August.