CHEAP TRICK

ALL WASHED UP

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Making records is as important to Cheap Trick now as it was back in 1974.

Even after more than five decades and dozens of releases, the band find the same excitement and enjoyment in the process of getting in the studio, picking up their instruments, pressing “record,” and leaving everything on tape. That’s why their 21st full-length studio LP, All Washed Up [BMG], sounds so utterly alive. Packed with overdriven unapologetic riffs, hip-swinging rhythms, snotty attitude, and snarling hooks, the Rockford, IL-bred and Rock and Roll of Fame®-inducted outfit — Robin Zander [vocals], Rick Nielsen [guitar], Tom Petersson [bass], and Daxx Nielsen [drums] — deliver a collection of tunes that’s clever, catchy, and clearly Cheap Trick.

“As this is our 21st album, it’s pretty cool that anyone might think it would be any good,” says Robin Zander.

“We really love recording,” affirms Tom Petersson. “That’s what we do, and it’s how we started. The shows are great, but the album is what lasts for eternity. We make records for our enjoyment, and we’re lucky we’ve had enough success that we can continue. It’s simple, man.”

As such, the genesis of All Washed Up was natural for the group. At the end of 2024, the musicians hit the studio with longtime producer Julian Raymond. They settled on 11 tunes and cut them during sessions in Nashville, completing a handful of vocal tracks in Los Angeles. Without overthinking, the guys channeled the same chemistry that’s defined the band since day one.

“We’re always in the same freaking room,” laughs Petersson. “The only way we could get together more is if we actually lived together in one house like The Monkees! We sort of know what ideas are good for Cheap Trick at this point, so we’ll pick what we want to do quickly. An off-kilter note might strike one of us, and another guy will have a melody to go along with it. It’s great to come up with something out of nothing, sit there, and listen to the playback together. There’s no better feeling.”

The guys teased All Washed Up with “Twelve Gates,” setting the tone for this chapter. Met with enthusiasm by fans and critics, Consequence praised how, “The upbeat ‘Twelve Gates’ conveys an optimistic perspective.” On its heels, “The Riff That Won’t Quit” turned up the volume and the heat. Living up to the promise of its moniker, raucous and rowdy distorted guitar tosses and turns beneath Robin’s soulful bellow as he urges, “You gotta reach down inside your heart if you want to play the blues.”

“It’s one of those songs where the title lets you know what to expect,” grins Petersson. “It definitely stood out to us.”

One of many standouts, there’s also “Long Way To Worcester.” Backed by a dusty beat, a thick bassline rolls beneath airy Spaghetti Western-style guitar. The momentum swells towards the towering hook, and Robin wonders, “Why do you distance yourself from anyone who cares? Why do you tell yourself I really shouldn’t dare?” The guys notably co-wrote the tune with Jerry Dale McFadden and Robert Reynolds of The Mavericks, channeling the rapport they built when making “Carnival Game” from the 1997 self-titled album.

“Jerry and Robert are great friends of ours,” says Petersson. “We sat down at my place in Nashville and put several songs together. ‘Long Way To Worcester’ felt right for All Washed Up. The word ‘Worcester’ worked for the song too. It’s one of those words that’s hard to remember or say,” he chuckles.

The closer “Wham Boom Bang” caps off All Washed Up with creaky acoustic chords, neon keys, and sunny melodies. Meanwhile, the chant of “Wham boom bang” engages in a call-and-response with the guitar, proving both unpredictable and undeniable.

“It’s the type of song very few groups would do,” observes Petersson. “Our catalog has a lot of variety. It’s not all the same kind of music. ‘Wham Boom Bang’ is goofy, and it’s just us.”

Overall, All Washed Up represents a seamless next step for the quartet. “The album is pretty diverse,” adds Zander. “The good, the bad and the ugly.”

Over the years, Cheap Trick have unassumingly become one of the most influential American rock bands ever by playing timelessly loud anthems. Along the way, they’ve sold north of 20 million records, picked up over 40 international Gold and Platinum certifications, and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® as part of the class of 2016. Among other highlights, Rolling Stone cited In Color [1977] among its coveted “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and the Library of Congress recognized the 3x-Platinum Cheap Trick at Budokan [1978] for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry. Not to mention, they’ve tallied billions of streams fueled by “Surrender,” “I Want You To Want Me,” “The Flame,” “California Man,” “Dream Police,” and more.

Threaded into the fabric of popular culture, they contributed “Mighty Wings” to the 9x-Platinum Top Gun Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, while their music has been either covered or sampled by everyone from Beastie Boys to Chris Isaak and Dwight Yoakam. To this day, Cheap Trick regularly fill arenas amphitheaters around the world. Upon arrival, All Washed Up incited unanimous critical praise from MOJO, UNCUT, and more. In a “4-out-of-5 star” review, Classic Rock raved, “Cheap Trick stay eternally youthful, loyal servants of a genre which is lucky to have their priceless magic,” and Glide magazine assured, “If you’re looking for an unadulterated rock record that touches the soul, Cheap Trick’s is the album you’ve been waiting for.”

Ultimately, All Washed Up is yet another quintessential Cheap Trick album through and through. “Fans are like our friends,” Tom leaves off. “You want to make something you can play for your friends. We just do music we want to hear. That hasn’t changed.”

“It’s the same band, Rick, Tom, me, and Daxx, and I think we just made a brilliant record,” reflects Zander. “We’re Cheap Trick. We are just too dumb to quit.”

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