Wearing tall hair and heels, the charismatic seven-foot drag queen Beverly Rage leads the band Bev Rage & the Drinks in a dynamic, visually exhilarating, anarchic garage punk spectacle. Bev Rage & the Drinks’ unique style, which earned them the title of Chicago’s Best Punk Band in 2024 & 2025, is relentlessly loud, fast, and brash, showcasing a trove of hooks that invite audiences to bop along. Today, we are happy to premiere the video for the band’s new single, “Break My Back,” a track that toes the line between alt-pop, gritty garage rock, queercore, and post-punk and which was engineered by Grammy-winning Kurt Ballou (Converge) at God City Studios. “Break My Back” also serves as a taste of the band’s upcoming third LP Demons, which will see the light of day early next year.
The song delves into the underbelly of queer cruising, once a necessary part of the social culture of the gay community at a time when danger loomed. In 2026, it is still a necessity for some in places where being queer may still have inherent dangers, and a celebrated style of flirtation within many circles. This song wrestles with the dangers of cruising, while reclaiming the power behind it, all through a catchy, anthemic chorus.
“’Break My Back’ showcases this new era for the band — one that forwards our sound while honing the message behind the band,” shares Beverly Rage. “Since I formed Bev Rage & the Drinks 11 years ago, a consistent goal has always been to showcase over the top queer art in places where it may not be often be seen. Our band has always been one that people are surprised by when they see us live, and capturing our live sound on a record is what we set out to do. Being able to record a loud, catchy punk rock song about cruising with Kurt Ballou at God City Studio was a dream, and we are so proud of the whole album to come early next year.”
Bev Rage & the Drinks is deeply rooted in Chicago’s punk and queer communities. They infuse the local scene with an unapologetically queer and vibrant pageantry while giving the finger to the powers that be. On tour, Bev Rage surprises new audiences with gleeful, unpretentious levity that liberates them from the unprogressive status quo. The band’s connection to these communities has built a loyal following throughout the Midwest and parts of the US, touring in support of bands like Pansy Division, BULLY and Babe Haven.
True to form, Bev Rage uses humor, hooks, and storytelling to highlight aspects of the queer community that may be unknown to the general public. In a time where the world is leaning more conservative, a band like Bev Rage & the Drinks is necessary to show that being loud and proud can be served with a healthy dose of garage punk rock.
