We recently caught up with Czech melodic punk rock force known as Rabies to dive deep into the chaos, charm, and creativity behind their upcoming album, High On Sugar. In this candid conversation, the band opens up about the meaning and story behind the album’s title, their songwriting and composing process, life on the road, and what fans can expect from their next chapter. Enjoy!
Your new album High on Sugar takes aim at society’s addiction to instant gratification. Was there a specific moment or cultural shift that compelled you to center an entire album around this theme?
There wasn’t one “aha” moment more like years of watching the world spin faster and attention spans shrink. We’re all drowning in dopamine hits: likes, drugs, politics, even self-help fads. High on Sugar is our way of saying: yeah, we see it, and it’s nuts. And today’s political climate? It just confirms how real this record is. Let’s call Luke Skatepunker to help fix the mess.
The metaphor of sugar as a destructive high is powerful and accessible. How did this concept come to life lyrically and sonically? Did it evolve naturally, or was it a calculated creative direction from the start?
It started with the metaphor, for sure. “Sugar” was too perfect and not just sweet stuff, but fake solutions. From there, it evolved naturally. We’d write riffs and lyrics like candy -colorful, fast, fun, but always with a bitter core. To be hones it involved… it was not there at the very beginning.
How did your approach to composition and production change on High on Sugar compared to Something Tasty!?
We pushed everything harder. Damian Kučera at Sound Rapids helped us sharpen every detail. The songwriting is tighter, more layered, and we got more playful with dynamics and structure. We also knew we wanted it to punch through on vinyl and live sets, so we built it for impact.
The album critiques without moralizing. How intentional was that tone, and how do you balance between commentary and entertainment?
That tone is 100% intentional. We’re not preaching, we’re mocking, reflecting, inviting people to laugh at the absurdity with us. Humor helps keep it punk, not preachy. We want people to scream along, not feel judged.
What do you feel skatepunk’s role is in 2025, and how does High on Sugar reflect that?
Skatepunk still kicks against bullshit just faster. In 2025, it’s about cutting through noise, being sincere, and staying fun. High on Sugar reflects that urgency. It’s a sugar rush with a fist behind it.
Rabies has always worn its influences proudly. How have your inspirations shaped this album, and where did you find yourselves breaking new ground?
We grew up on fast, melodic punk like Offspring, NUFAN, NOFX and also Rancid and Blink too :D. But on this album, we leaned more into theatrical, almost cartoonish energy. It’s pop-punk if it went through a candy-colored meltdown. That’s new for us.
What did Damian Kučera bring to the table at Sound Rapids?
Damian’s like a sonic therapist… he hears what we’re trying to say and pushes us to say it louder, cleaner, better. He’s not afraid to call out weak spots, which is gold. The album sounds the way it does because of that trust.
The artwork by Ovcharkart adds another layer of commentary. How closely did you collaborate on the visual side?
We had the concept: a candy store of fake solutions. Ovcharkart took that and went full dystopian bubblegum with it. It was super collaborative. We bounced ideas, references, moods. The visual world of High on Sugar is just as important as the music.
What’s your mindset heading into the High on Sugar release shows?
Pure adrenaline. These songs are made for the stage like short, sharp, sugar-coated chaos. We can’t wait to see people scream the words back at us. The live show is where it all explodes. This time, we’re even planning to shake things up on stage, maybe someone will drop the guitar and jump on lead vocals, just to turn the energy up even more. We want each show to feel unpredictable, like a sugar rush spiraling out of control.
How does it feel returning to Mighty Sounds with a new record?
Surreal and epic. Mighty was one of our first big festival moments. Coming back with High on Sugar feels like coming full circle with more fire and more noise.
Looking back since 2009, what’s kept you grounded and still making loud music?
Each other. The DIY scene. The ridiculous things that happen on the road. As long as the world’s a mess, we’ve got songs to write.
What has skatepunk taught you about life?
Everything comes fast. You fall, you get up. Stay honest. Play hard. And never take yourself too seriously 🙂
What gives you hope in this hyper-everything world?
Connection. Real stuff. Friends at shows. Bands helping bands. Laughter. And knowing that not everything sweet has to rot your teeth.
What’s next for Rabies beyond the album cycle?
More shows, more noise. We’d love to hit Japan again. Maybe some wild collabs. But yeah, one punk rock day at a time.
Thoughts Words Action 