Glasgow theatrical avant-garde experimentalists San Jose have released ferocious new single ‘Oxycontin, The American Dream’.
One of the most vital and uncompromising bands to emerge from Scotland’s underground in recent years, the five-piece have built a reputation for explosive live performances, genre-defying songwriting and a fearless rejection of convention. ‘Oxycontin, The American Dream’ sees San Jose distil that chaos into their most ambitious and punchy single to date. Produced by Joel Anthony Patchett (King Krule, The Orielles, Bug Teeth, Billy Ocean) and mastered by Felix Davis, ‘Oxycontin, The American Dream’ is a blistering, volatile track that explores the Sackler Family’s role in the American opioid crisis. It’s a work that moves fluidly between prog abrasion, electronic expansion and cabaret-like theatricality – always restless, always confrontational.
Described by the band as “a strike of lightning”, ‘Oxycontin, The American dream’ explodes into a rapid frenzy, contrasting satirical lyricism about the American dream with the shocking story of the Purdue pharmaceutical scandal. The single gently unwinds into an expansive electronic space before becoming increasingly paranoid, growing in tension before igniting into a full rock and roll eruption.
Speaking about the single San Jose share:
“We wanted to write a single that landed like a strike of lightning, a shock to the system and the slow burn that follows, slowly growing into a full fledged fire. Having read and learned about the story surrounding the OxyContin scandal and the arrest of author Jim Hogshire, we were galvanised to write a song on the topic. We are often inspired by history, and have a track record of writing music that adopts themes of social injustice, distorting the narrative and telling the story through a satirical or absurdist perspective. Oxycontin, The American Dream continues this tradition using the concept of the American Dream in juxtaposition with the injustice felt by the families of the 450,000 people killed by Oxycontin.”
Already tipped as one of Scotland’s most exciting new acts, San Jose have earned praise from CLASH, Dork, Backseat Mafia, Louder Than War, God Is In The TV, Glasgow World, The Scotsman and more. CLASH described the band as “a communal show of togetherness brought to life by a sprightly wall of sound and vocal ululations”. Their live shows have become the stuff of local legend, incorporating performance art, mini-orchestral arrangements and surrealist set-pieces – selling out iconic Glasgow venues including King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and Stereo, and sharing stages with Warmduscher, Gallus, Hotel Lux, Courting, Rum Jungle and Soapbox. San Jose were recognised by Wide Days as part of their rising talent development program, in collaboration with PRS. From crucified bear costumes to staged apocalypses, San Jose treats performance as ritual, blurring the line between audience and artist.
San Jose’s commitment to creative freedom, often ignoring contemporary “music laws” entirely, has fostered a cult-like following and positioned them at the forefront of Scotland’s brewing musical underworld.
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