Stress Positions are a newish Chicago hardcore band featuring three members of the now-defunct C.H.E.W. (drummer Jonathan Giralt, guitarist Benyamin Rudolph, and bassist Russell Harrison) and vocalist Stephanie Brooks. They formed in 2020, released the Walang Hiya EP in 2022 (which Iron Lung Records re-released this year), and now they’re gearing up to put out a full-length, Harsh Reality, on December 8 via Three One G (pre-order). It was recorded by past C.H.E.W. collaborator Seth Engel, mixed by Matt Russell, and mastered by James Plotkin.
We’re premiering the Analog Anguish-created video for lead single “How to Get Ahead,” of which Benyamin has this to say: “A ‘motor-charged’ straight to the point, punk ripper. Some classic riffs backed by tight and thunderous drumming with anthemic vocal delivery to hammer home the point. Worker exploitation is the theme here, while doing *whatever* it takes to rise above the poverty line.” That should give you a good idea of what to expect from this ass-kicking 94-second rager, and you can check it out below.
Tracklist
Harsh Reality
Hand to Mouth
How to Get Ahead
White Leech
No Sympathy (For the Police)
Flaming Sword
Performative Justice
Sunken Place
Ode to Aphrodite
Stress Positions — 2023 Tour Dates
Nov 1st @ Sleeping Village, Chicacgo, IL w/ Suman
Nov 2nd @ Turf Club, St. Paul, MN w/ Suman