PREOCCUPATIONS IN CONCERT:
Post-punk outfit Preoccupations – formerly known as Viet Cong – has been thrilling fans since 2012 with their brooding and cerebral sound. At the band's live shows drummer Mike Wallace pounds out rattling marches, leaving ominous pockets of sound for guitarists/keyboardists Scott Munro and Daniel Christiansen to fill with their angular, jarring guitar riffs and haunting synthesizer whooshes. Matt Flegel brings their sound home with his driving bass and howling vocals, giving every song a visceral impact that counterbalances the experimental, spacious interplay of the rest of the band. With songs like the darkwave gem "Continental Shelf" and the noise rock scorcher "Death," Preoccupations share their thrilling and chilling vision with ticket buyers at every one of their must-see performances.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Following an on-stage fight and the death of a bandmate, Matt Flegel (bass/vocals) and Mike Wallace (drums) left art rock band Women in 2012. After a few one-off stints, the two decided to form Viet Cong in Calgary, Canada the same year. They rounded out their lineup with two powerhouse guitarists – Scott Munro from Chad VanGaalen's live band and Daniel Christiansen, who had played in a Black Sabbath cover band with Flegel and Wallace. They quickly released a cassette-only EP in 2013, generating enough buzz to land a spot on 2014's SXSW lineup. Following a killer performance, the band released their self-titled 2015 debut album, receiving favorable reviews from outlets like Consequence of Sound, Pitchfork, and Exclaim! To avoid controversy, the group changed their name to Preoccupations in 2016 and released the single "Anxiety" off their forthcoming self-titled album. As Preoccupations, they continue to bring their riveting sound and uniquely energetic show to fans around the world.
