Dance-punk veterans Pedicab have just released their first single in two years with “Weaponized.”
The newly released single sees the celebrated rock band utilize ’90s big beat, with sharp guitar riffs, droning bass lines, and syncopated drums conveying a sense of dismay at the current state of the world — especially as it addresses the rampant presence of social media and technology in our society. The dark and metallic textures that the track’s industrial guitar presents effectively underscores the urgency of the song’s message while allowing us listeners to bask in its dance-ready nature.
“Weaponized” marks the latest release of the group in quite some time, following the release of “Balyena” back in October 2023. It also serves as their first release under Locked Down Entertainment, following their recent departure from Soupstar Music.
Their debut album from 2005, Tugish Takish, hits its twentieth anniversary this year, with the record having been released (and remastered) for the vinyl format back in August 2023. Though the release has become quite elusive for most vinyl collectors, limited copies are often still available at frontman Diego Mapa’s online record store, Rosano Records.
Pedicab are composed of Diego Mapa on vocals, guitar, and synth, Jason Caballa on guitar, Raymund Marasigan on bass synth, Mike Dizon on drums, and RA Rivera on synth, noise, and sound effects. The group has become well-renowned in the Philippine music scene for their tracks “Dito Tayo Sa Dilim,” “FX,” “Ang Pusa Mo”, and their cover of “Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko.”
Listen to Pedicab’s “Weaponized” below: