Cheap Perfume formed in Chicago in 2006, with Ward Churchill on vocals and guitar, John Haggerty on bass and vocals, and J.B. Hutton on drums. Churchill has been the only constant member through various lineup changes. They've put out four full-length albums, starting with 2009's 'Misery Loves Company' and including 2018's 'It's Ok (To Punch Nazis)' and 2021's 'The Only Way Is Through'.
Their music is straightforward punk rock with lyrics that directly confront fascism and oppression. The song 'It's Ok (To Punch Nazis)' drew attention from white supremacist groups and sparked legal challenges, but the band kept playing shows with a high-energy, inclusive feel.
They've built a following by staying focused on their message rather than chasing trends. Their work doesn't try to soften its political edges, which has resonated with listeners looking for that kind of directness in punk music.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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