Song of the Day: Stag - The Bedazzler

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is "The Bedazzler" by STAG, from the 2017 self-released album Midtown Sizzler.

Stag - The Bedazzler (MP3)

If you're going to call yourself "The Bedazzler," you had better be ready to prove it. Fortunately,  STAG came prepared.

Armed with a confident, T-Rex-inspired groove and punchy, Cheap Trick-worthy guitars on their single "The Bedazzler," STAG is on a mission to win you over and convince you that all rock music made after 1976 is superfluous. Except for them, of course. The Seattle group reek of louche, playful decadence -- you can practically hear the glitter -- and songwriter Ben London is equally adept with early glam rock as with Raspberries-style power pop. When his voice effortlessly hits the rafter on the chorus, you're left with no choice but to concede the point and admit that, yes, he is, in fact, the bedazzler.

STAG recorded their self-released debut Midtown Sizzler with producer John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Hold Steady, Cymbals Eat Guitars) in Water Studios in Hoboken, NJ, and Seattle standby Jack Endino recorded “The Bedazzler” and “Runner” at Soundhouse in Seattle, but the indie rock heavy hitters thankfully didn't try to update a sound that was already perfect.

Keep up with the band via Facebook and Twitter. And watch the band perform today's featured song below, filmed at The Crocodile back in March.