Los Angeles heavy-rock trio PEGZILLA have returned with “Bootlicker,” a fierce new single that blends thick doom-metal weight, gritty punk energy, and massive riff-rock power. The song marks the band’s first release since rebuilding their lives after the devastating Southern California fires and acts as the lead track from their upcoming debut album Disobedience.
Made up of Olivia Saperstein (vocals, guitar), Juan Barsse (bass), and Ryan Swain (drums), PEGZILLA have built a reputation for loud, unruly music that mixes stoner-doom heaviness with bursts of fast, chaotic intensity. Listeners may know them from their 2022 EP Giver or their single “Eyes of Phthonos,” both of which introduced their raw sound during the pandemic. With “Bootlicker,” the band steps forward with even more force, aiming straight at the political tension and anger shaping life in the U.S. today.
The track arrives with a blood-splattered music video directed by Monica Moore Suriyage, filmed in Altadena at the Pasadena Waldorf School with support from local musicians. The video follows a group of campers who turn on their visiting co-eds in a chaotic, horror-themed story. Cameos from members of Moonfuzz, Broken Baby, Lord Friday the 13th, and The Holy Cuts turn the video into a lively community project that mirrors the band’s close ties to the LA scene.
“Bootlicker” pushes PEGZILLA’s sound into its heaviest territory yet, driven by sharp guitar riffs, pounding drums, and a restless sense of urgency. The band describes the new material as a call to stay alert and speak out, using music as a way to push back against injustice and fear. As they prepare for their full-length release, PEGZILLA show no signs of slowing down.
The band will premiere “Bootlicker” live on December 4 at The Goldfish in Los Angeles, performing with Ben Katzman and Lord Friday the 13th. A limited 7-inch vinyl of the single will be available at the show. With its explosive sound and bold message, “Bootlicker” sets the tone for the high-impact record to come.
Check out the music video for “Bootlicker”: