Ex-Cult come from a long lineage of Memphis punk bands steeped in ragged primordial Southern garage rock, and “Not A Threat,” the latest single from the group’s Midnight Passenger, bears some earmarks of that lineage, particularly the relentless Jerry Lee Lewis piano plinks that carry the song to conclusion. But “Not A Threat” is also crisp and streamlined, its guitar tracks locking into mechanical combustion fits while Chris Shaw barks with swaggering unhinged authority. Listen below.

Midnight Passenger is out 4/29 on Goner. Check out Ex-Cult on tour:

4/3 Louisville, KY @ Fresh Start ^
4/4 Winston-Salem, NC @ Phuzz Phest %
4/5 Harrisonburg, VA @ MACRoCk Festival #
4/6 Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
4/19 Memphis, TN @ Goner Records (Record Store Day)
5/17 Atlanta, GA @ 529
5/18 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
5/19 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
5/20 Washington, DC @ DC 9
5/22 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
5/24 Beacon, NY @ Dogwood
5/26 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
5/28 Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog
5/29 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
5/30 Iowa City, IA @ The Mill (Firecracker 500 Festival)

^ White Reaper and Jovontaes
% White Fence
# Big Ups