Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun: Huge Heads Simply Wish to Have Fun

New York-based band Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun introduced a wholesome dose of calculated chaos and dirty rock to Outside Lands ’25, later sitting down with Atwood Magazine to debate big-stage songwriting, rock’s rebellious spirit, and their refusal to shrink back from politics.

“Baby I Could Never Win” – Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun

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“Fun is my first priority,” Kareem Rahma says into the microphone. “It’s also my second. And my third is also fun. Fun, fun, fun.”

In the gang, Palestinian flags are held excessive, in addition to crudely made “What’s your take?” posters. Few suspect Rahma, greatest generally known as a comic and web persona, of frontmanning a band. However, this growth has been fairly just a few years within the making.

Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun was born of Rahma and guitarist Tyler McCauley becoming a member of forces to put in writing songs. Eventually, the band was joined by guitarist Joe Tirabassi of Darlings, drummer Dale Eisinger of YVETTE, and bassist Matt Morello of Mr. Dream. The result’s a uncooked, bodily, sleazy, sound that’s, for lack of a greater adjective, very New York. Every observe options pounding drums, distorted guitars, and Rahma’s droning vocals.

“No Worries If Not” is a dejected rock ballad dedicated to the artwork of pretending you barely care. The band sways on stage as Rahma pointedly sings, “I asked for the truth, and you said why not.” This observe stood out as their strongest throughout their set, garnering quasi-headbangs from the viewers. After the efficiency, the band lets me into their inexperienced room behind the Duboce Stage, a hideaway between tall cypress timber and psychedelic mushroom decor.

As Rahma half-shouts his last lyrics into the microphone and the amps hum within the background, it’s clear that this band will not be right here to play it small.

They mix humor, pertness, and noise right into a not-so-neat bundle that’s as inviting as it’s frightening. Whether it’s poking enjoyable at web tradition or calling out international injustices, Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun are committing to the bit. The band delivers their all with the identical dedication to their self-declared high three priorities: Fun, enjoyable, and extra enjoyable.

The band sat down with Atwood Magazine after the present to debate their love of rock and roll, their present writing course of, and their refusal to shrink back from what issues.

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:: connect with Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun here ::

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“New Year, New York” – Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun

A CONVERSATION WITH KAREEM RAHMA & TINY GUN

Atwood Magazine: Can you inform me a bit about what’s going on within the band proper now?

Kareem Rahma: We are on a writing course of tour/task. We are taking part in new music whereas additionally writing new music. We are centered on writing one thing complete and cohesive. We are taking part in exhibits each time they come up.

Did taking part in these songs inform your present writing course of?

Tyler McCauley: We performed Webster Hall a 12 months in the past, and it was a much bigger stage. So we had been like, “Oh, what if we wrote bigger songs for a bigger stage?” So now we’re centered on what we will share in a selected atmosphere. The rooms inform the kind of music we need to have.

Kareem Rahma: Bigger songs for larger individuals.

How can your followers change into these so-called “bigger people”?

Kareem Rahma: You want a giant head. An enormous head means a giant mind. An enormous mind means you take in numerous data.

Outside Lands is an fascinating competition as a result of it incorporates a political component. This place, greater than different festivals, invitations that kind of discuss. You guys don’t shrink back out of your opinions.

Kareem Rahma: Some of our songs are political. I prefer to suppose that rock and roll and punk-adjacent music are inherently anti-shit. It feels good.

Matt Morello: I want to suppose we’re principled individuals in nature. I don’t suppose the political nature of this competition impressed our speech, as a result of we already do this.

Dale Eisinger: It was good to see Palestinian flags within the mainstage. It’s completely different from Glastonbury, which was a wack response to expression.

Tyler McCauley: Some people who find themselves within the cabanas ought to be voting in opposition to sending weapons to Israel. I don’t suppose they bought the message.

Kareem, I’m gonna direct this final query at you first. I’m Persian, and I grew up loving rock as a result of it was anti-rules and anti-institution. As an Egyptian-American, what drew you to rock?

Kareem Rahma: I simply thought it was enjoyable. I wasn’t joking on stage after I stated enjoyable is my first precedence. It can be rebellious. My dad and mom didn’t let me have numerous enjoyable. I keep in mind going to rock and roll exhibits, like Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots.

How about the remainder of you?

Tyler McCauley: I’m from the Bay Area. I’m from Santa Cruz. Writing songs is the very best factor on this planet. Everyone ought to be spending extra time with their mates writing songs.

Dale Eisinger: I grew up in Boise, Idaho. I believed punk music was a approach out of there, which drew me to it. It opened a window to a world I wasn’t conscious of. The political facet made it extra intriguing as soon as I noticed how backwards the world is.

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:: connect with Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun here ::

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“Baby I Could Never Win” – Kareem Rahma & Tiny Gun

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