Live Music: Megadose

Megadose is a pacific northwest quartet delivering punchy pop rock anthems, freewheeling between new wave, slacker rock, post punk, and indie pop, punctuated by smooth guitar riffs and tight vocal harmonies. Megadose’s roots originate from frontman Stephen Steen’s hometown of Anacortes, Washington, where he and guitarist Harry Michael Smith were inspired from a young age by a small but renowned community of DIY organizers, invited as youngsters to perform alongside artists such as Mount Eerie, Karl Blau, The Blow, Mirah, and Laura Veirs. Forming just months before the Covid pandemic with the conscription of bassist Laura Seniow and drummer James Kasinger, Megadose managed to write and record their first full-length record over lockdown. Produced by Trevor Spencer (Beach House, Father John Misty, Valley Maker), “Wild & Free” heralded a promising repertoire, garnering praise from Seattle’s beloved KEXP and the worldwide blogosphere. The band immediately turned heads with their ensuing live debut, thanks to their uninhibited on-stage freneticism, careless hooks, and tight musicianship. After a West Coast tour in Summer 2022, Megadose forged ahead with the release of Heating Up (released Jan 20, 2023), produced by Mike Davis (Pool Kids, Great Grandpa, Ratboys), which pushes their early new wave and garage leanings to new, expansive heights, as well as uncovering areas of genre-play that suit the band’s hook-heavy songwriting and dense lyrical themes.