Bright Eyes recently posted an Instagram of the McDonald’s “ska is back” sign that went kinda viral a few years ago, with the caption “Coming soon…” And if you were wondering why they did that, it’s because Bright Eyes have now released a full-blown ska song called “1st World Blues.” Written with Alex Levine (aka Alex Orange Drink) of So So Glos, who also assisted Bright Eyes on last year’s great Five Dice, All Threes, the band calls it “an homage to ska in all its waves” and adds, “From Desmond Decker to Tim Armstrong, we’re just happy to add our track to the bin.” To me it sounds most like the 2 Tone era (or at least like some of the 2 Tone-inspired Rancid songs), and in true 2 Tone fashion, it comes with political/social critique. In the case of “1st World Blues,” that’s a sardonic critique of late stage capitalism.
The black-and-white video also adheres to the 2 Tone aesthetic, and the band says the video is also “inspired by NYC 90s hip hop, which like ska, has a long tradition of unifying people & using celebratory music to convey subversive political themes.”
The statement concludes: “To be played loud. Windows down. Summertime.” Watch the video, directed by Jared Sherbert, with co-direction from Butch Hogan, below.
Bright Eyes’ tour continues through the summer, followed by Asian shows in the fall. See all dates below.
Pick up Bright Eyes vinyl in the BV shop.
BRIGHT EYES: 2025 TOUR DATES
Tuesday, Aug 26 – Ojai, CA – Libbey Bowl
Wednesday, Aug 27 – Sonoma, CA – Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Thursday, Aug 28 – Forest Grove, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge
Friday, Aug 29 – Vancouver, BC – Malkin Bowl
Saturday, Aug 30 – Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot 2025
Monday, Sep 1 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall
Tuesday, Sep 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
Wednesday, Sep 3 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Las Vegas
Thursday, Nov 27 – Singapore, Singapore – Capitol Theatre
Wednesday, Dec 3 – Osaka, Japan – Yogibo META VALLEY
Thursday, Dec 4 – Tokyo, Japan – EX THEATER ROPPONGI