“Lemon” On Repeat! The Callous Daoboys Are Simply…Dope
WRITTEN BY: ROB PAGAN
Mathcore wizards The Callous Daoboys released their single “Lemon” today and it slaps in a way none of us would have expected. I immediately want to throw some headphones on, turn it up to 11 (bonus points if you get that reference), grab my skateboard and flip birds to anyone who doesn't believe in what I do. “Lemon” resonates with anyone who’s been through the struggle honing in on their craft for years and refusing to give up on their dreams.
Let’s break it down. The prominent groove of this song is insanely catchy and quickly ropes you in. The only way your head wouldn’t bob to this is if you’re sporting a neck brace, but even then I don’t think one could refrain. It’s just too good!
We also have these spurts of electronic fills, beefy bass lines, and funky guitar chops sprinkled throughout that just make you want to rock a stank face. Meanwhile, Vocalist Carson “Big Animal” Pace serves up a big ol’ plate of “go (flower) yourself” with his lyrical evisceration of someone that only seemed to judge him. The chorus really helps that message take shape with his line “I can’t recall your heartbeat ever speeding up”. To me, that is a resounding way to say “I never did anything to excite you” which really digs into the root of the song. And I think that makes it all the more powerful.
Although this single is somewhat of a far cry from what The Callous Daoboys typically produce, it is quite frankly a well crafted, groovy exploration of moving on from those that hold you back. And being a lifelong metalhead myself, I can still get down with this sexy offshoot into funk rock that the band took on. And very successfully I should add.
“Lemon” is a slap in the face that’s so good you’d ask for another. If that doesn’t make sense to you, listen to the song and wait for it.
Keep an eye out for the release of their full length album “I Don’t Want To See You In Heaven” due to release May 16, 2025. Hit pre-save on your streaming services and pre-order in the meantime. You won’t be disappointed.
Want to catch them live? I do too! Check out when and where here:
20 Years of All's Well That Ends Well with Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights + Emmure:
Mar 21 - Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Theater
Mar 22 - Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater
Mar 23 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore
Mar 25 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
Mar 26 - Salt Lake City @ The Depot
Mar 28 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
Mar 29 - Portland, OR @ Roseland
Mar 31 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Apr 1 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Apr 2 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
Apr 3 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
Apr 5 - San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center
Apr 6 - Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
Apr 7 - Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
Apr 9 - St. Louis, MO @ Pageant
Apr 11 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
Apr 12 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Apr 13 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
Apr 15 - St. Pete, FL @ Jannus Landing
Apr 16 - Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
Apr 17 - Raleigh, NC @ Ritz
Apr 18 - Richmond, VA @ The National
Apr 20 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
Apr 21 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Apr 22 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
Apr 24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
Apr 25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theater
Apr 26 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
Beartooth Spring 2025 Dates:
Apr 30 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pagent*
May 15 - Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitch Music Hall*
May 16 - Dothan, AL @ The Plant*
Unhinged Festival:
Jul 26 - Denver, CO @ National Western Stockyards
Coheed And Camrbia S.S. Neverender Cruise:
Nov 8-13 - Miami, FL to Cozumel, MX
Photo: Nick Karp