by Patrick Pilch (@hosewater0)
Get hip to Assisted Living, the latest Philadelphia configuration tapping into the city’s rich psych-punk scene. “F hard, B forever” is the band’s first single from their BLIGHT. Records / Strange Mono debut and a riveting introduction to the newfound super-project. Featuring members of Ugh God, Nyxy Nyx, Sun Organ, and Bad History Month, Assisted Living’s stacked lineup of collaborators and pals informs the band’s effortless, fuckless, off the cuff delivery. “F Hard, B Forever” seems to open mid-thought as drums and speak-sung vocals stagger into the song before striding into its soaring, tone-particular chorus. From those disjointed opening moments alone, Assisted Living show they’ve already opened the floor for engaged innovation.
The band’s noted dedication is what makes them sound so fresh. While there are clear influences, ones which the band plainly states in their press release, Assisted Living bear commitment to their craft, and “F Hard, B Forever” is far from a rehash. Much like their influences (Swirlies, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Failure), Assisted Living take heed of chipping away at ‘the source,’ but it’s clear this song was not written by or for those bands. “F Hard, B Forever” is a doozy, check it out below: