Punk rock has this incredible power to lift spirits, doesn’t it? And when it’s a band you’ve followed for ages with a powerful story and an inspiring individual, that effect multiplies. That’s exactly what I’m into today with Go Betty Go’s upcoming EP ‘Black & Blue’. This Los Angeles-based punk outfit is set to drop their latest work on September 13th through Wiretap Records, and it’s shaping up to be something special for the pop punk community.
Now this release has quite the story behind it. Like many artists, Go Betty Go found themselves creating during the pandemic lockdowns. But the path to creation and release wasn’t straightforward. The band faced a major hurdle when guitarist Betty Cisneros received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis before recording, in the spring of 2022.
Now this is just an amazing showcase of Betty’s strength and the band’s unity that they’ve pushed through such a challenging time. With the release just around the corner, it’s clear that nothing could stop the band from sharing some new music with the world. The delay in releasing ‘Black & Blue’ has been tough for the band, but it’s also built up anticipation for many of us. There’s something to be said for music that comes from a place of perseverance – it often hits harder and resonates more deeply. Which also just happens to be, kind of the theme of this EP.
Now this EP has got some tricks up its sleeve that make it stand out even more. One very cool aspect is the return of former band member Emily Wynne-Hughes, also known as Emily Valentine. She’s lent her talents to songs that were penned ages ago but are only now getting their time in the spotlight on this release.
Putting out a new release is never easy, but Go Betty Go has pushed through some tough times to deliver ‘Black & Blue’ to us. After everything that’s happened, it’s pretty awesome that they’ve crafted this EP for us. The band’s grit shines through here, making this release feel extra special and inspiring. And speaking of inspiring, let’s talk about the opening track.
The EP opens with ‘Fight Betty Fight’, a clever twist on the band’s name that’s been hitting for the past couple of years. This track, just shy of 20 seconds, captures the raw energy of a live crowd chanting those words repeatedly. At FNR, we’ve all been keeping tabs on Betty’s social media updates since her journey began. I often find myself poring over her Instagram carousel photo updates, looking to see how she’s doing.
Betty offers an inside look into her world; the good days, the bad days, the ins and outs of procedures, etc. The way she shares this insight truly elevates one’s spirits. I find it to be inspirational. The candor and grace with which she presents her experiences to fans is amazing.
Thinking of the title, I couldn’t help but consider what kind of fighter I think Betty truly is. To her fans, she’s a world champion of inspiration and motivation. A recent update exemplifies this perfectly. While addressing some ups and downs and ongoing issues, what did she lead with? The California heat. That was her opener, before casually mentioning, “Oh yeah, by the way, there’s this other stuff as well.”
And I know that the heat is brutal because we have some photographers and staff in Los Angeles, and I’m sure they’ve probably melted at this point. But still, that was her go-to in the opening. It’s precisely this approach – her way of handling and presenting updates, even those little things, that deeply moves people like me.
To me, the kind of fighter Betty is evokes the image of a Rocky Balboa montage, spurring you to down a glass of raw eggs and start pummeling a heavy bag so intensely it tears open a wormhole in the space-time continuum. That’s how her fans view her. And I imagine that to her opponent, she’s as terrifying as Tyson in his prime. That’s the caliber of fighter Betty is.
The track ‘Keep Up’ kicks off with some killer distortion and a sweet build-up on the percussion that’s just irresistible. It then launches into the main riff, which is gritty and has this awesome garage rock vibe to it. And true to Go Betty Go form, we get a chorus that’s incredibly catchy. But I would say it’s not just catchy, it’s also got some real muscle behind it.
I can’t help but think this track must be a real release for the band. It seems to dig into that feeling of being completely swamped, trying to keep up a certain image because you feel like you have to. You know, being a good sport on the outside while you’re screaming on the inside. It’s all about that struggle to keep up appearances when you’re really falling apart.
The frustration builds up inside, but you’ve got to keep that mask on. And all that pent-up emotion, it comes out in this track. We’ve all been there. Trying to keep up with expectations, feeling like we’re barely hanging on, but still putting on a brave face. Go Betty Go nails that feeling, turning it into a punk rock anthem that’s both relatable and cathartic.
‘Party At Sea’ is one of the singles from this release, and it’s an absolute banger. I’m a sucker for anything with a nautical theme, and this track delivers that. If you haven’t already, you’ve got to check out the visually stunning video as it’s a feast for the eyes on surreal ocean dreamlike paradise.
In true pop punk spirit, it’s a party song on some level. Imagine if Anne Bonny traded her ship for an electric guitar and decided to throw the most epic sea-punk bash ever. That’s the vibe ‘Party At Sea’ gives off. The music crashes and swells like waves, carrying you along on the adrenaline rush.
The latter half of the EP features two songs that were crafted some time ago: ‘Am I to Blame’ and ‘City Lights’. ‘Am I to Blame’ once again showcases some incredible guitar work, with a melody that it’s just really cool and has a little bit of a groove to it. And let’s be real, you’d be hard-pressed to find any punk band today that can nail harmonies like Go Betty Go. They’re right up there next to bands like Dropkick Murphys in terms of songs that are just so much fun to sing along with. This EP has reminded me that they’re everything – a total package band.
In every sense, ‘Black & Blue’ is the full experience. I’ve sung the praises of the awesome guitar riffs and the instrumental layers, like that awesome drum rollout on ‘City Lights’, but I have to mention that the vocal work from Nicolette and Emily is a massive highlight. They’re both so incredibly charismatic in their delivery, their voices give off true emotion and pure skill.
Looking back on this EP and all the music Go Betty Go has given us, it’s clear that fans are in for a treat. The way the latter half of the EP unfolds feels like a complete celebration of this band’s journey. They’ve thrown their party, but they’ve given us the gift – this incredible piece of work. There’s just so much to celebrate with this band. This EP shows their resilience, their creativity, and their unwavering spirit. It’s a perfect mix of their classic vibe and a renewed dynamism that shows how great this band is.
UPCOMING SHOWS
September 19 in Los Angeles, CA at The Paramount (EP Release Show)
September 21 in Las Vegas, NV at Area 15 @ Asylum Arcade
September 22 in Irvine, CA at Attention Fest @ Hanger 24
October 12: Chicago, IL at Reggie’s (T1 Fest)
