Bristol rock trio Krooked Tongue return with new single + video “Drugstore Cowboy.” Along with the announcement of their debut studio album I Know A Place, arriving on April 24th 2026 to limited edition vinyl.
Recorded and produced with long-time producer Josh Gallop (Sergeant Thunderhoof, Mother Vulture, Phoxjaw) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath, “Drugstore Cowboy” dials the octane up to 10 from the very first note, blending fuzz-fueled guitars, driving drums and sing-along vocal lines, lyrically exploring the cause and effect of living selfishly.
On the single’s subject matter, vocalist and lyricist Oli Rainsford explains, “‘‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is a high octane goose chase through downtown, knocking over newsstands, bumping into passersby and tearing through the clustered chaos of the everyday hustle and bustle. There’s this movie from the 80’s called ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ with Matt Dillon (based on the book), and I remember watching it for the first time and just soaking in its atmosphere and attitude. It has a ton of 80’s charm that I figured would be a really cool subject to translate into a song. It’s chaotic and brash but at its heart there’s a relatable message. In the pursuit of our own needs, we can often disregard reality. It’s about a man who will do anything for a rush no matter the consequences, and despite this, is thoughtful and aware enough to know that he is the way he is. You might not like it, but you gotta respect it. There’s a divine peace in knowing your downfalls, and ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is a tune that throws its arms wide open, falls backwards and trusts whatever decision fate casts upon us. ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ is a gunslinging, store raiding soliloquy that acknowledges what it means to truly live in the moment. Being the main character in your own story, even without knowing how that story will end.
“The song was actually written on the acoustic, but it was immediately clear it was going to end up a belting javelin of a tune. It harks back to the sounds of mid-late 2000’s rock, which is kind of a vibe we reckon, channeling a bit of what was still left of the golden age of MTV. You can almost imagine the boys from Jackass barreling down a f-ton of stairs with ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ blasting in the background. At its core it’s just a helluva fun song, and sometimes.. that’s enough.“
