# Pop-Punk Outfit CHIEF STATE Ignite New Era with “DAMN!”

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/pop-punk-outfit-chief-state-ignite-new-era-with-damn/
- Published: 2026-03-26T14:00:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

### **Vancouver Pop-Punk Outfit Chief State Ignite New Era with Explosive Single + Video “DAMN!”**

#### **Final Preview of Sophomore Album, _Keep Your Friends Closer_**

#### **Out April 17 via Mutant League Records**

[**Pre-Save The Album Here**](https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTgyOTIxMTc0MTc2NDk4OTc1LFwiclwiOjE4MjkyMTIwMzAwMTg1MzM2N30iLCJzIjoiNDVlNWEzMjE4MmI3NzcwOCJ9)

[**Stream “DAMN!” Here**](https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTgyOTIxMTc0MTg5MDgxODk0LFwiclwiOjE4MjkyMTIwMzAwMTg1MzM2N30iLCJzIjoiMzFmZmUwMWRhYzZkZDczZCJ9)

[**Watch The Video Here**](https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTgyOTIxMTc0MjAwNjE2MjM0LFwiclwiOjE4MjkyMTIwMzAwMTg1MzM2N30iLCJzIjoiYzkyMmMwYTVlZjQxZWJkYyJ9)

Vancouver, BC — Canadian pop-punk standouts **Chief State** have unleashed their
high-energy new single and music video **“DAMN!,”** the final preview of their upcoming
sophomore album _Keep Your Friends Closer_, arriving **April 17** via **Mutant League
Records**. Fast, punchy, and packed with the band’s signature melodic urgency, the
track captures Chief State stepping confidently into a bold new chapter.

**[Listen to “DAMN!”](https://orcd.co/zbeazox)**

**[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMkQj9kUN14)**

Chief State - Damn! (Official Video)

[⌊Chief State - Damn! (Official Video)⌉⌊Chief State - Damn! (Official Video)⌉
Watch
this video on YouTube

“DAMN!” holds special significance for the band, marking the first song written 
collaboratively with Chief State’s current lineup. Rather than piecing songs together
from individual demos, the band approached the track as a full-group writing session
from the ground up — a process that helped redefine the band’s chemistry and creative
direction.

[⌊Chief State⌉⌊Chief State⌉[

**_Photo: Brandynn Leigh_**

“_‘DAMN!’ was the first song we wrote together with the new lineup. It was also 
the first time we had ever gotten into a room to write a song from scratch as a 
unit,_” says vocalist Fraser Simpson. _“Previously we would write songs individually
and then edit parts together from there. The process felt extremely creative — everybody
got to contribute and the final song really represents what Chief State is going
forward._

_“We even managed to sneak in an obscure lyric. On the day we were talking about
a local company called Mr Mattress because they have a sick logo and merch. We challenged
ourselves to fit in the word ‘mattress’ and I think we’ve managed to pull it off
pretty seamlessly to be honest! _

_“We couldn’t be happier to be sharing this final single before the drop of our 
sophomore album, ‘Keep Your Friends Closer.’ This is our best body of work to date
and we can’t wait for everyone to hear the rest of the album!”_

Produced, engineered, and mixed by **Tim Creviston** (**Spiritbox, Youth Fountain**)
and mastered by **Stu McKillop** at Rain City Recorders, _Keep Your Friends Closer_
finds Chief State leaning into a more collaborative and fully realized sound. The
record captures the band navigating a period of major change while doubling down
on the grit, honesty, and soaring hooks that have fueled their rise within modern
pop-punk.

With years of relentless touring across North America and a growing international
fanbase, Chief State have steadily carved out a place among the genre’s most exciting
contemporary voices. _Keep Your Friends Closer_ builds on that momentum with sharper
songwriting, bigger choruses, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The band will celebrate the album’s arrival with a hometown appearance supporting**
Wheatus** on April 13 at The Pearl in Vancouver, where Wheatus will perform their
self-titled debut in full. Tickets are available [HERE](https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTgyOTIxMTc0MjM3MzE2NDEyLFwiclwiOjE4MjkyMTIwMzAwMTg1MzM2N30iLCJzIjoiNTNlZTE4OGNkNmQyZjMxYyJ9).
An **official album release show** is set for **May 9th **at The Pearl with support
from Dead Churches and Darryl Saves Lives. Get tickets HERE.

[⌊Chief State⌉⌊Chief State⌉[

**Keep Your Friends Closer — Album Credits**
All songs written and performed by 
Chief StateProduced, engineered, and mixed by Tim CrevistonMastered by Stu McKillop
at Rain City RecordersDrums recorded at Phony RecordsAssistant drum engineering 
by Michael KenyonGuest vocals on “Paranoia” by Stu Ross (Comeback Kid)Additional
bridge melodies on “No Brakes” by Sarah ChristineAlbum photography by Brandynn LeighArtwork
arrangement by Yossarian Creative

**Links**
[Pre-order exclusive merch + limited vinyl colorways](https://www.mutantleaguerecords.com/)
[Digital album pre-save (_Keep Your Friends Closer_)](https://orcd.co/kyfc)

**About Chief State**
Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Chief State have emerged as one
of Canada’s most exciting pop-punk exports. Blending emo-tinged grit with soaring
melodies and driving rhythms, the band delivers heartfelt anthems rooted in vulnerability
and urgency. With years of touring and acclaimed releases behind them, Chief State
continue to push their sound forward while staying true to the emotional core that
defines the genre.

**Social Media:**
[Website](https://www.chiefstate.com/) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/chiefstate)
| [Instagram](https://instagram.com/chiefstate) | [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/chief_state)
| [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEkeUrSItcpG5MxLFo9U_Ww?view_as=subscriber)

[⌊Mutant League Records⌉⌊Mutant League Records⌉[

[**Mutant League Records**](https://zjwgpy.clicks.mlsend.com/tj/c/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjEwOTI4NjUsXCJsXCI6MTgyOTIxMTc0MzIwMTU0MDk5LFwiclwiOjE4MjkyMTIwMzAwMTg1MzM2N30iLCJzIjoiODQ0YzBmZWQwZDY2MGI4MiJ9)

[⌊Earshot Media⌉⌊Earshot Media⌉[

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