Piebald Discuss Each Track on First LP in 15 Years, ‘Tales for the Rages’

Piebald ‘s first album in over 15 years, Tales For the Rages , is out today via Iodine. They wrote and recorded it between 2019 and 2025, and it was produced in part by Jay Maas, and mastered by Jack Shirley. Read Andrew’s review in Notable Releases , and for a deeper look into the album, Travis Shettel took us track by track through its songs. Read that below, and pick up our exclusive “Hot Pink & Blue Smash” vinyl variant of Tales For The Rages , limited to 200 copies, in the BV shop .

TRAVIS SHETTEL’S PIEBALD – TALES FOR THE RAGES TRACK-BY-TRACK BREAKDOWN

Tales for the Rages is mostly about disappointment, just expressed with our own brand of tunes and humor. We’re disappointed in our government for using our tax dollars to drop bombs on other countries rather than care for the needs of its own people. We’re disappointed in our culture that worships wealth and despises the poor. There is positivity on the record through looking at long term friendship and being able to lose yourself in music. But unfortunately, we are a culture with no heroes. Billionaires are ruining the world and should not exist. Support your local union. Protect trans kids. Free Palestine. Tax the rich into oblivion. A better day is possible.

1. “Still on the Couch”

Even when we are in our own homes, in the comfort of our supposedly personal surroundings, we are being fed propaganda to buy products and ideas that we are told over and over again, will bring us happiness or freedom. We don’t buy it!

2. “This Thing is Old”

Not sure about you, but my long-term friends and I have given each other shirts, records and books since I can remember. You give them away because you enjoyed it and could bank heavy on it that your friend would enjoy it as well. I look back now and realize these gifts and friendships have been in my life for decades, and it blows my mind.

3. “Used to Good Advantage”

This song points a finger at the US government, which chooses violence over care, private property over public housing, and still has its dirty little imperialist fingers all over the globe. “If rules can be destroyed by truth, then they should be. All power to the student, the worker, and those who aren’t free.”

4. “Gentlemen Callers”

A jam about modern dating, the uniqueness of human connection or the sadness of not having that connection, and looking back at lost love.

5. “Conundrum Speculator”

What story are you going to write with your life? We’re only here once, you better make it good.

6. “More Month Than Money”

Why is being alive so expensive? We do not believe, in our heart of hearts, that existence was supposed to be this financially difficult. We are not interested in worshipping wealth or wealthy people simply because their greed is what causes others to struggle.

7. “Fun Destroyer”

This one is about the voice inside each of our heads that points out all the flaws and faults. We all work on trying to put that voice in check and making sure it doesn’t take over.

8. “Power Smile”

Behold the power of a smile. This is just a quick blast about the power of positivity. Hugs!

9. “No One Seems To Mind”

We’ve become numb to human suffering, and it’s shocking.

10. “Dance Till We Fall Apart”

This ditty came into existence when our publishing company told us that the new Bill and Ted’s movie needed a song for a wedding scene and that it needed to be 127 BPM. Obviously, the song didn’t make it into the movie, but hopefully conjures some of those wedding dance floor vibes!

11. “Cooler Heads Prevail”

Take a few steps back and a couple deep breaths. Put away your phone and don’t angrily rush in. Speak empathetically and attempt to bring a better tomorrow after tough conversations today.

12. “Strangest Dream”

This one looks back on our time living together in Los Angeles. It was a time of major creativity, and the future felt wide open and wildly optimistic.

13. “River Below”

New England man lives and loves in New Orleans.

Piebald do a Q&A and signing at NYC’s Rough Trade tonight (6/12) .

_Originally reported by [Brooklyn Vegan](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/piebald-break-down-every-track-on-their-first-lp-in-over-15-years-tales-for-the-rages/)._