So Stressed, the Sacramento-based post-hardcore three piece comprised of Morgan Fox, Andrew Garcia and Kenneth Draper, have shared their new single “Apple Hill” off their forthcoming debut album The Unlawful Trade of Greco-Roman Art.

So Stressed initially began in Sacramento, CA as a largely improvisational noise project that included the band’s three members (Morgan Fox, Andrew Garcia and Kenneth Draper). Over time, the lineup was refined and their sound coalesced into what’s heard on Unlawful Trade, a technically meticulous but anxiety ridden and sometimes terrifying cry which calls to mind everything from Q and Not U to No Trend and the Minutemen. At times, Fox’s lyrics bring to mind the emotional distress and social reservation seen in Wire and Wall of Voodoo.

The fact that their sound is so violent and tense as to be physically disarming is almost deceptive; the members of So Stressed are kind, conscientious and smart young men. Writing this album took more than two years (and recording took more than six months) due to a common habit of throwing away fully-formed songs deemed to be even slightly less than perfect. All this was done with no goal in mind— if no one wanted to release it, Fox says, “we were just going to delete it.” The Unlawful Trade of Greco-Roman Art will be available on LP, CD and digital download at Honor Press on May 26th.

Cupcake Sister
Apple Hill
Merv King & The Phantoms
White Juice
Nervous Around Punks
Lisps
Cinnamon Death
Flirting With A Cop
Sleep Wave
Covered In Hair
Burger Brother
Needs No Chill