The best new American rock band, Liquid Mike, is back with their sixth and most anthemic record yet, Hell Is An Airport––out everywhere September 12.
A raucous, sardonic, and deeply real portrait of life & longing, the Marquette, MI band’s new full-length is preceded today with two hook-laden singles: “Groucho Marx” and “Selling Swords.”
A perfect soundtrack for life’s uncertain layovers, Hell Is An Airport is all about the in-between moments spent waiting on a plane that never leaves the ground. Liquid Mike channels this frustration brilliantly while also celebrating the fact that it’s gotta take off eventually. Right?
“Airports are these weird, intermediary spaces that have always made me feel like I’m stuck in limbo,” vocalist/guitarist Mike Maple says. “This album deals a lot with themes surrounding feeling stuck and unable to crawl out. Airports are stressful and congested and bureaucratic and never sleep; I imagine hell operates very much like an airport.”
The brilliantly titled record draws from staples like Guided by Voices and The Replacements while channeling the guitar-driven energy of Maple’s youth—Nirvana, Ramones, and AC/DC—resulting in a sharp collection that turns self-deprecation into catharsis. Throughout, Liquid Mike continue to cement their place as one of today’s most compelling alt-rock bands.
Fronted by Maple, who began writing music during his tenure as a United States Postal worker, the group initially originated from his collaborations with synth player and vocalist Monica Nelson (she/her). The lineup expanded to include drummer Cody Maracek (he/him), bassist Zack Alworden (he/him), and guitarist David Daignault (he/him)––the latter two are also forming members of another breakthrough band from Marquette called Charmer.
Since forming in 2020, Liquid Mike has released five studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot last year.