Gymshorts race for the checkered flag in the hi-octane video for “I’m The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation”
Gymshorts race for the checkered flag in the hi-octane video for “I’m The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation”
Black and white photo by Devon Bristol Shaw. Behind the scenes photos by Ethan Vara.
Originally published by Alt Citizen
Sarah Greenwell is a certified road warrior. Gymshorts have made a name for themselves with a relentless tour schedule and an unfettered ability to absolutely bring it every night. Frequently taking the stage decked out in an oversided racing jersey and sporting a rainbow guitar styled after the iconic livery of Jeff Gordon’s number 24 car, it’s no surprise that Greenwell’s love of rock n roll and American motorsports collide headlong in the band’s latest single, “I’m The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation.”
Anyone familiar with Gymshorts’ particular brand of youthful, no-nonsense punk n roll knows what to expect. “I’m The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation” is a sub-three-minute banger with enough nitrous in the tank to launch a mosh pit into orbit. The track’s been a staple of the band’s live sets for a while now but it’s finally getting the physical and multimedia treatment it deserves with a 7” release on Greenway Records and a rad new video hitting the internet today. Think of it as a big, fat, smoky burnout in the winners’ circle after a triumphant victory lap.
Hundreds of hours and thousands of miles behind the wheel of tour vans bringing the Gymshorts show to fans from sea to shining sea has proven Greenwell has the skill and stamina to keep up with one of the most decorated endurance drivers to ever professionally make left hand turns at high speeds. “I’m the Jeff Gordon of our generation because I do all the driving,” Greenwell quipped when I interviewed her a little over a year ago for Alt Citizen’s What’s In The Van, reinforcing her admiration for the NASCAR legend that goes far beyond that of the typical racing fan; she identifies with the discipline necessary to keep going mile after mile and shares a champion’s mindset for being the best there is.
Vintage NASCAR b-roll spices up Greenwell’s superfan lucid dream as she envisions herself behind the wheel of a stock car, ripping sick riffs in front of a Sunoco station, go-karting in shades, and participating in all kinds of motorsport related shenanigans. In true Gymshorts fashion the lyrics are an absolute riot, connecting Greenwell’s skill behind the wheel with her high-speed idol. “Hit a wall but Adderall will keep me going strong until I finish the haul” and “I feel like I need a meal but I can’t eat a burger with two hands on the wheel” are hi-octane exuberance on full blast, pedal to the metal garage punk energy that keeps the RPM (riffs per minute) deep past the redline. The hook, however, is fantastic. “Number 24 well your time is over, NASCAR wants me more now that you’re getting older” is a brash and bratty statement of refusal to wait to be passed the torch. Greenwell has her sights set on the top and the skills to break free and lead the pack of her rock n roll peers in a race to the checkered flag. Make way for the new Rainbow Warrior.
Greenway Records celebrated the release of “I’m The Jeff Gordon Of Our Generation” with a rainbow colored 7” titled 90 MPH!, hand poured and limited to 100 copies that sold out in less than 24 hours. Demand was so great that the label is putting together a second pressing on black wax that’s available now on Gymshorts Bandcamp. Be sure to snag a copy and spin it like crazy until we can all let loose again at a Gymshorts show again.
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