Toronto punk powerhouse PUP—Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski—has been on an unstoppable rise since the release of their fourth album, The Unravelling of PUPTHEBAND, in 2022. The album quickly became a critical sensation, racking up accolades Top 10 Billboard chart positions—including #1 on the Heatseekers chart—and dominating stages around the world with sold-out shows. And now, PUP shows no signs of slowing down. As they prepare to launch an arena tour across their home turf, supporting punk legends Sum 41, the band is celebrating with the release of a brand-new single.
The explosive track, “Paranoid,” produced by John Congleton (The Polyphonic Spree, The Murder Capital, St. Vincent), marks PUP’s first new release in two years—and it’s a thrilling return. With raw energy and a sharp edge, “Paranoid” delivers the punk spirit PUP is known for, while signaling their continued evolution. Fans can look forward to the same electrifying intensity that has made the band a global force, now amplified by the anticipation surrounding their upcoming live dates.
Babcock reflects on the band’s new single, saying: “My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band. But somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously. There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.”
The track also comes with a clever and witty music video directed by long-time PUP collaborator, Toronto / Vancouver filmmaker Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux. “What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and centre turned into a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table,” he shares. “Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!”
The band are also launching their MORE BAD STUFF – A PUPTHEBAND Substack, which you can sign up for here. A reincarnation of the band’s zine series PUPTHEZINE, this Substack will be an ongoing digital version or, as they like to call it, “PUPTHEBAND’S brand new digital hellscape.” They will use it to post unreleased songs, discuss the writing process, play-through tracks, and to share comics, old photos, live recordings, tour stories and more. The first two posts, featuring the original 4-song EP of pre-PUP band Topanga and some Built To Spill covers by Stefan, are out now.
After wrapping up a series of sold-out shows with Jimmy Eat World at the end of last year, PUP has announced their return to the UK and Europe for a headline tour in May. Full tour dates are listed below.
For the European and UK dates, the band will be joined by Illuminati Hotties as the main support act (excluding shows in Spain), with Keighley-based Goo also joining for the UK leg of the tour.
For ticketing details and on-sale information, visit www.puptheband.com.
Canada:
10/01/2025 – Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
11/01/2025 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
13/01/2025 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
16/01/2025 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
17/01/2025 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
18/01/2025 – Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre
20/01/2025 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Place
23/01/2025 – St. Catharines, ON @ Meridian Centre
24/01/2025 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
25/01/2025 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
27/01/2025 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
28/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
30/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
UK and EU:
07/05/2025 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
08/05/2025 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
10/05/2025 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
11/05/2025 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 (TV Studio)
12/05/2025 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University
13/05/2025 – Bristol, UK @ Marble Factory
15/05/2025 – Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
16/05/2025 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
18/05/2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
20/05/2025 – Cologne, Germany @ Club Volta
21/05/2025 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
22/05/2025 – Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
23/05/2025 – Munich, Germany @ Strom
25/05/2025 – Paris, France @ Bellevilloise
27/05/2025 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Mon
28/05/2025 – Barcelona, Spain @ Upload
29/05/2025 – València, Spain @ Loco Club
30/05/2025 – San Sebastian, Spain @ Dabadaba
Be sure to keep up with all things PUP online:
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Website // Substack
Featured image courtesy of Martyna Wisniewska.
