The song is about disenfranchisement and depression, and how to weaponise feelings of sadness and rage to fight to the powers that be. The song is inspired by being a part of a generation who are constantly told to suppress their emotions and opinions.

‘Dog In The Shade’ is a caustic call to arms to break away from dread and darkness.

“We’re saying ‘F*ck the enemy, riot the energy’ and let your voice be your voice regardless of how the world has made you feel’” says lead vocalist JD. 

Unburdened by genre and typical song progression, the song begins as a shimmering slice of left-field R’n’B that mutates into guttural hardcore punk. Shifting between ethereal melodies and abrasive noise, it’s the perfect encapsulation of facing inner conflict and the chaotic world around you.

The thunderous track arrives accompanied by a supernatural video clip by Nick Waterman, which sees the group saunter around a sinister undisclosed city at the dead of night. They roam beaches, high-rises, and highways, and in moments, even levitate.

THE RIOT came together through happenstance. One night, Tyler (guitars, vocals) andScotty (drums) came across JD (lead vocals) while he was trying to scale the fence at a venue. From there, a sense of unity arose of shared anger, of shared politics and shared musical interest that wasn’t defined by a particular era or sound. “There’s power in numbers, it’s better than being on your own” says JD. “[Together] we can get our voices that have been ‘ the unheard’, to be heard.”

The future is rhythm & chaos.