Short but sweet, the latest single by Halifax’s Like A Motorcycle packs a heavy punch. As the band’s first release under the Cadence Music label’s Known Accomplice division, “Idols” waves its middle finger directly in the face of icon worship.
“We are really excited to bring LAM into the fold,” says Cadence Music’s President and CEO Ian Taylor. “They are a brilliant combination of aggression and punk ethos mixed with self reverential humour. We look forward to helping them take their message to the world.”
Fitting with the band’s tendency to stick up for the underdog through serving up hard punches of rock, “Idols” was written as a clap back against idolatry and the abuse of power.
“‘Idols’ is an effort to ask questions surrounding the abuse of power,” says the band. “What lies can people tell themselves to justify their actions? What lies do we tell ourselves to protect the memory or reputation of someone we once idolized? Who protects us when these people are our politicians or our own family? How do we reconcile with the transgressions of an artist who once instilled value in our lives? How far are we willing to turn our heads to avoid looking at something we’d rather not see? Sometimes, our idols are just fucking assholes.”
Its accompanying art, portraying a hotdog on a white bread heel and doused in mustard from individual packets, epitomizes the struggle of scraping by and working tirelessly just to make ends meet. Coincidentally, it’s a solid representation of the band’s alignment as chaotic neutral.
Clocking in at a brief minute and 41 seconds, the track is upbeat and emits the type of energy that gives a person confidence to stick up for themself and demand justice. It’s a quick and loud attack on those who tend to attack slowly and silently. Our only complaint is that we wish this energized dance party could last a little longer.
Luckily, the track dropped with a promise of more to come from Like A Motorcycle within the year.