Comprised of Tony Esposito (vocals, guitar), Ryan Hater (keyboards), Sam Wilkerson (bass) and Nick Wilkerson (drums), Louisville, KY-based quartet White Reaper have become yet another mainstay act on the site. After the release of a blistering and urgent six track, self-titled EP, and high-intensity sets touring with Deerhoof, Young Widows, Priests and others, the quartet quickly received national attention. And building up on that buzz, the band went into the studio to record the material that wound up comprising their full-length debut effort, White Reaper Does It Again, which Polyvinyl Records released earlier this year to critical praise.
Album opening single “Make Me Wanna Die” begins with thundering drums and a countdown before an explosive start comprised of furiously buzzing guitar chords, ethereal keyboard chords and infectious hooks paired with snarled vocals in a song that meshes power pop, punk rock and new wave with a breakneck speed and furious and forceful energy.
The recently released official video, directed by Matt Fulks follows Death — in this case, a.k.a. White Reaper — on his day off, which includes the sort of insane partying that would likely kill most people. Except that at some point Death gets arrested and has his ass kicked by the police. Can you beat death to death? Still, the video captures the infectious, breakneck energy of the song.
The band is embarking on a tour with together Pangea and it includes two NYC area dates. Check out the tour dates below.
