Real Sickies Unzip ‘Under A Plastic Bag’ Giving Us A Look Inside

Racketeer Radio KFQX brings you the latest from one of the northland’s finest punk rockers, and this one’s a real barnburner. Edmonton’s own Real Sickies are back in the fray with their fifth full-length, Under a Plastic Bag, dropping March 14, 2025, via Stomp Records. If the lead single, Triage, is any indication, the Sickies are ready to kick down the doors, shake up the scene, and remind us all what it means to really feel alive.

For those uninitiated, Real Sickies have been leaving a trail of sweat-drenched stages and anthemic earworms for years. Relentless touring? Check. Hooks sharp enough to cut through a steel-toed boot? Double check. A ringing endorsement from none other than Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, who calls them his favorite Canadian punk band? Well, that’s just the cherry on top of this high-octane sundae.

Triage isn’t just a track—it’s a battle cry born from near disaster. Frontman Ben Disaster and his family miraculously walked away from a car crash on black ice after returning from a European tour. In true punk rock fashion, instead of wallowing in shock, they went ice fishing. That raw, real-life adrenaline courses through Triage, a song that producer Joshua Wells helped sculpt into a full-throttle anthem. “It wasn’t complete until we let it out in the studio—it’s chaos, but real,” Ben says.

And speaking of chaos, the music video takes a deep dive into the Sickies’ fever-dream creativity. Directed by Jesse Nash, it features handcrafted miniature models by Ben himself, from a matchstick airplane to a glitter-drenched Titanic. Starring his dogs Alvin and Snobs (who, by all accounts, delivered star-making performances), the video captures the dizzying balance of panic and perseverance that defines both the song and the band’s spirit. “It’s a reflection on the album’s environmental themes, but also just an absolute blast to make,” says Ben.

With Under a Plastic Bag, the Sickies aren’t just rehashing old tricks. Under the steady hand of producer Josh Wells (known for his work with Autogramm and Black Mountain), the band has woven new wave, power pop, and indie sensibilities into their high-speed punk foundation. Wells, a maestro of vintage gear and analog textures, has infused the album with an electric, timeless quality. “Triage reminds me of being on adderall—random thoughts, itchy eyes, the urge to rock really fast,” he muses. “But then, it locks into a sick, focused motorik jam. Alien percussion joins in, and for a moment, humans and extraterrestrials fuse together in rhythm—until it all erupts into a full meltdown.”

So, what do you fix first? According to Real Sickies, you start by grabbing your copy of Under a Plastic Bag on March 14. Until then, let Triage be your shot of adrenaline—just don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking for black ice and a fishing rod.

Stay tuned to Racketeer Radio KFQX for more on Real Sickies And remember, folks—punk rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead. It just sometimes smells that way.