“I only took Viagra once. I was stressed out about a date and I’d had a few problems that year, but she wasn’t even up for it… She just wanted to have a drink, nothing else. The only thing that happened was that my ears were purple all day. I was sitting there… they were on fire – I have big ears – it was annoying but I don’t think she noticed. It changed my life, and I started my band after that.” Here’s Sebastian Murphy talking about the genesis of Viagra Boys. Let’s take a closer look at the group.
After the seven minute long Research Chemicals in 2015, its terrible music video, dying saxophone, and their obscure EPs, the Swedish band are at it again with Street Worms. A fat bass, an eruptive rhythm and easy riffs are all part of this simple and direct, made-in-Sweden punk style. With his broken and arrhythmic voice, Murphy – exiled from San Francisco and covered in ugly tattoos, keeps yapping on about limp errections, stupid sports and other empty subjects. Whilst Sleaford Mods or Idles are often very moralising, the seven Viagra Boys offer quite the opposite: a soundtrack devoid of any seriousness, no complexity whatsoever, explosive but apolitical and almost laughable. This dirty blend of psychedelic rock, punk and smashed acid is profoundly enjoyable! © Charlotte Saintoin/Qobuz