“…an undeniably infectious power-pop anthem” -
[“Forever Elsewhere”] Stereogum
 
“…rippling power pop cut.”- [“Might See You There”] Exclaim!@
 

March 4th, 2026 - Weird Nightmare has released an official video for the rollicking new track “Pay No Mind,” another standout from the infectious second LP Hoopla by former METZ frontman Alex Edkins. The new song will have you singing along in no time and is available today on all streaming services.
 
“We had a blast making this video with director Ryan Faist. It was a nod to the Elvis Costello and the Attractions “Pump it Up” video and some early footage of the Buzzcocks on cable access TV. 
 
“The lyric was lifted from an Atlantic City tourism t-shirt. “I’m so broke, I can’t even pay attention” struck me as a particularly accurate comment on modern life. Obviously, the shirt is meant to be funny, but it felt quite dark to me. Due to the overwhelming onslaught of information and emotional baggage that comes with it, I think there is a tendency for people’s lives to become quite myopic. As a coping mechanism, we become more and more insular, ignoring the world around us”.
 
Hoopla was co-produced by Edkins and Spoon’s Jim Eno at Seth Manchester’s Machines With Magnets in Providence, RI. Edkins expands Weird Nightmare’s dimensions to new heights,
resplendent with sunny guitar pop, Hoopla was crafted with just the right amount of punk rock fuzz and crunch. The immediate, crisp, unfussy recording brings you right into the studio with Edkins and his band.
As previously announced, Weird Nightmare has confirmed North American, UK, and European dates beginning on April 24th in San Diego, with festival appearances at the Soundscape NW Festival in Portland, on April 28th with labelmates Bully, and a 5-date Canadian run in June with Wintersleep. Additional live dates will be announced soon.

Fri. Apr. 24 -  San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
Sat. Apr. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers ^
Sun. Apr. 26 - Oakland, CA - Thee Stork Club ^
Tue. Apr. 28 - Portland, OR - Soundscape NW Festival *
Wed. Apr. 29 -  Seattle, WA - Baba Yaga
Fri. May 01 - Toronto, ON - Sonic Boom in-store
Sun. May 03 -  Brantford, ON -  zBTFD in-store
Tue. May 12 - Kingston, ON - Broom Factory
Wed. May 13 - Montreal, PQ - Bar le Ritz
Sat. May 16 -  Halifax, NS - Marquee Ballroom #  
Wed. Jun. 17 -  London, ON - London Music Hall #
Thu. Jun. 18 - Hamilton, ON -  Bridgeworks #
Fri. Jun. 19 - Toronto, ON -  Masonic Temple #
Sat. Jun. 20 -  Ottawa, ON - The Bronson #
Wed. Jun. 24 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall
Thu. Jun. 25 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd
Fri. Jun. 26 - Philadelphia, PA  - Ortlieb’s
Sat. Jun. 27 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool
Sun. Jun.  28 -  Medford, MA - Deep Cuts
Fri. Aug. 28 - Malaga, ES - Canela Party Festival
Tue. Sep. 01 - Leeds, UK - The Attic
Wed. Sep. 2  - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint
Thu. Sep. 3 - Birmingham, UK -  Hare & Hounds
Fri. Sep. 4th - Southampton, UK - Heartbreakers
Sat. Sep. 5 - London, UK -  The Lexington
Sun. Sep. 6 -  Rotterdam, NL - Rotown
Tue. Sep. 8 - Berlin, DE - Urban Spree
Wed. Sep. 9 - Koln, DE - Bumann
Thu. Sep. 10 - Paris, FR -  Point Ephemere
Fri. Sep. 11 - Lille, FR- Aeronef
Sun. Sep. 13 Asten, NL - Misty Fields Festival
 
* with Bully
^ with Mrs. Magician
# with Wintersleep
 

Hoopla will be available on May 1st from Sub Pop Worldwide and Dine Alone in Canada. LP preorders in the US through Sub Pop Mega Mart will receive the limited Loser Edition on Emerald Green-Blue vinyl; preorders through Mega Mart Europe will receive the Loser Edition on Transparent Orange (UK/EU). The Canadian exclusive will be available on Orange/Blue/White Solar Flare from Dine Alone. The limited Loser Editions will also be available at your local record store (All limited vinyl colors available while stock lasts!).
 
What people have said about Weird Nightmare:
“Inspired by the simplicity and ‘big bar chords’ of The Undertones and Protex, [‘Might See You There’] evokes a rose-tinted sense of teenage nostalgia.” - DIY

“Weird Nightmare is all about hooks and melody. Still delivered with levels in the red, but these are ultracatchy powerpop songs first and foremost, and really good ones at that.” - Brooklyn Vegan
 
“The debut Weird Nightmare album from METZ guitarist/vocalist Alex Edkins is a hook-filled set of blown-out power-pop with distorted guitars, punchy rhythms and bright pop melodies.” - KEXP
 
“Alex Edkins finally lets those melodies loose, resulting in an irresistibly euphoric blast of feedback spattered garage-pop that is just what the doctor ordered to chase away any lingering post-lockdown blues.’” - The Quietus

Weird Nightmare
Hoopla
 
Tracklisting:
1. Headful of Rain
2. Might See You There
3. Baby Don’t
4. Forever Elsewhere
5. Never in Style
6. Pay No Mind
7. If You Should Turn Away
8. Little Strange
9. Bright City Lights (ft. Julianna Riolino)
10. Where I Belong