WA rock’n’roll saviours The Southern River Band have released their towering new single and rally cry, “F**k You, Pay Me”, out now via Civilians. The band will take the single out on a headline tour around the country in May.
A song of the people from the band who has your back, the single is a middle finger to all the dirtbags who refuse to cough up what’s owed. It’s a tale as old as capitalism – living week to week, watching your hard earned cash flow up into the ivory tower when the rent is due and the bills need to be paid. With its charged-up riff and galvanizing chorus, when the debt starts piling up chuck on the song and shout it with your whole chest.
“This song is for everyone who has ever been stiffed, ripped off, bullshitted or flat out not received what they were promised. To the guilty parties (see; thief) – F**k You, Pay Me.” – Cal Kramer (vocals)
WATCH: THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND – “F**K YOU, PAY ME”
Exploding into the spotlight at the end of 2023 after being featured on every music lover’s favourite YouTube series, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, the rest of the world is starting to see what Australia has known for quite some time – The Southern River Band are the real deal.
Hailing from Thornlie in Western Australia (Where? Exactly), SRB has spent a decade putting in the hard yards and earning their reputation the old-fashioned way: by taking their full-throttle live show anywhere with a stage and a bar. One of those ‘you-just-have-to-see-them-live’ kinda bands, SRB’s relentless touring schedule has seen them sell out multiple national runs, play with Aussie legends Cold Chisel and Rose Tattoo, as well as support modern-day rock icons like The Darkness and Eagles Of Death Metal.
In 2024, SRB kicked it up a gear with the release of their high-octane fourth record, D.I.Y, that not only landed at #6 on the Aus ARIA Chart, but the vinyl needed to be repressed before it was even released. The record’s breakout six-minute epic “Stan Qualen” thrust the band on the global stage, charting in 23 countries and taking them on their first international tour. The demand for SRB was so insatiable their first UK show sold out in just four days, leading to a venue upgrade more than double the size which, you guessed it, sold out – as did most of the tour. The band has also found a home on the European festival stages, leaving thousands gobsmacked at The Great Escape, Vestrock, Sweden Rock Festival, Rock Wrechter and Down The Rabbit Hole, and they will return in 2025 to dominate Download, Hellfest and Resurrection festivals.
Before the band duck off back to Europe, they’ll take their new single out for a spin on an Australian headline tour – hitting capital cities in May. Tickets on sale March 13 via thesouthernriverband.com.
As Justin Hawkins of The Darkness said, “Now this is a proper f***ing rock band”. But hey, don’t take our word for it, find out for yourself.
THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Tickets On sale Thursday March 13 via thesouthernriverband.com
Friday May 9
Crowbar, Brisbane
Saturday May 10
Crowbar, Sydney
Thursday May 15
Altar, Hobart
Friday May 16
Max Watts, Melbourne
Saturday May 17
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
Friday May 23
Rosemount, Perth
