BAD OPTICS return with Death Cult Blues, a three song EP being supported by the band’s very first Midwest and East Coast tour. Death Cult Blues EP (releasing in September) continues to build upon their previous material while also showcasing how the band never stops evolving, differing wildly in dynamics and sound.
Speaking to the group’s latest single “No Friction (Prime Benefits)”, frontman Christian J. Hidell shares, “Ah, the conveniences of modern life. Who doesn’t enjoy a good online shop? I just love to imagine the smile on Jeff Bezos’ face and the consequent wrinkle on his shiny bald head every time someone buys another bit of dropshipped garbage produced by a malnourished Bangladeshi 4-year-old on his panopticon of a website. I yearn for the day when a drone can careen into my living room and pour food paste directly into my esophagus, and I’ll never have to leave my house or see anything undesirable again. Truly a life with NO FRICTION”.
“No Friction (Prime Benefits)” will release digitally on Friday May 8th, 2026.
see BAD OPTICS live:
05/08 NYC, NY @ Mudhouse w/ Ok Cuddle, Nihiloceros + Consumables
05/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Cousin Danny’s
05/11 Washington DC @ Simple Underground w/ Lud Ros + An Invitation
05/12 Baltimore, MD @ Le Mondo w/ Tidal Shifts + Ploy Machine
05/14 Cleveland, OH @ CODA w/ Bender + Wage Cage
05/15 Columbus, OH @ Spacebar w/ Coffin Makers + Abertooth Lincoln
05/16 Detroit, MI @ Outer Limits w/ Vampire Cowgirl + Paradise Day
07/19 Seattle, WA @ Belltown Yacht Club w/ Rambush
BAD OPTICS is an art-punk band based in Seattle, WA. Born in 2018, the band has released three EPs and two full length albums. They’ve performed in festivals such as Treefort Music Fest and Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, embarked on multiple West coast tours and were featured on the television program Band In Seattle early in their career. In 2026, they look forward to doing their first East Coast tour in Spring in support of their forthcoming EP Death Cult Blues (releasing in September).
Known for high energy performances with angular and interlocking guitar melodies and manic vocals, Bad Optics sound is supported by a heavy and off-kilter rhythm section that pushes and pulls in unusual time signatures. Lyrical subjects are often a mixture of social and political commentary. Since their genesis however, they have continued to evolve into an ever changing entity that showcases each member’s unique and broad range of influences, making them a hard band to pigeonhole into one specific genre.
BAD OPTICS are:
Christian J. Hidell (he/him) – lead vox, guitar
Alex Warton (she/her) – guitar, backing vox
Joshua Ihler (he/him) – drums, backing vox
Linden Crumrine (he/him) – bass
visit BAD OPTICS online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bad.optics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badopticsband
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@badopticsband
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Badoptics
Bandcamp: https://badoptics.bandcamp.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bad.optics
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badoptics
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/9698653/u
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bad-optics/1365827278
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FS1GIub1pwGC04rhTZe9R
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