Beware of Darkness – “Dope” (video) (premiere)

The kind of angular rock Beware of Darkness make recalls the Arctic Monkeys as much as the White Stripes — immaculately pop-savvy, with a grungy backbone that makes them as at home on a stadium floor as a barroom one. “Dope” is all spunk and quick-licking riffs, starry and sharp guitars cutting through with gale force after a quietly powerful chorus. It’s the kind of rock critics will rightfully brand “cheeky”, since its punch and wry verve smirk as they jam. And, given how good so much music branded as such is, it’s a pleasure to see “Dope” join the fray so seamlessly.

“I love taking clichés and unconventional things and flipping them on their head,” lead singer Kyle Nicolaides says of the song’s video. “I think we did that a lot of the album, and I think this video does that too. It also speaks volumes to women being emotionally and physically stronger than men.”

Are You Real? releases September 16 on Bright Antenna Records.

TOUR DATES

8/17: Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room

8/18: San Diego, CA @ Casbah

8/19: Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock Live

8/20: Bakersfield, CA @ B-Riders

8/24: Los Angeles, CA @ Resident

8/25: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill

8/26: Tahoe, CA @ Red Room

8/28: Ft. Collins, CO @ Hodi’s

8/30: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

9/1: Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse

9/2: Fresno, CA @ Strummers

9/3: Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones