Belushi Speed Ball is one of those bands where you think the name is completely fake, and you also wouldn’t believe me about their live set until you witnessed it for yourself. I was introduced to them, like a lot of heavy metal bands, at the famous Milwaukee Metal Fest (MMF) in 2024. They were the headliners on the tiny stage in a room that held roughly 400 people, and when I tell you they put on a show, I mean it. I don’t just mean it was crazy, loud, and there was a massive mosh pit, but it was unexpected. I walked into a frenzy of rolls of toilet paper flying across the room, people crowd-surfing in plastic tubs, shreds of cardboard tossed around, and I kind of spaced out during the set because it was just a madhouse. This is a band that knows how to play a show while entertaining and including the crowd in the intensity. 

I also distinctly remember them talking about nightcrawlers from the hit TV sitcom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and having the entire audience “mosh” as if they were nightcrawlers. It’s probably one of the strangest and funniest sights because everyone was just flopping around on the ground in good lord knows what by then. It was just messy upon messes on the floor because people spilled beer, there was rain outside, crumbs from the food trucks, and all the trash that was tossed around earlier during their set; however, it certainly made an impression that’ll last in my mind for years to come, and definitely a story I tell a lot about my first experience working a metal festival. 

This band just released a new single called “How Tough Am I?” — it’s catchy, it’s fun, and it’s maybe not as heavy-sounding over my speakers as I imagine it’ll be live. I love the opening riffs that kick it off to a contagious vibe that’ll probably just stick to my brain, and I won’t remember what song I’m humming. This track is part of what will be their newest album, titled Toxic Waste Was Everywhere in the ‘80s, which is set to come out on June 5. Perfect timing because that happens to be Milwaukee Metal Fest weekend, and they are making a grand return to the stage for their adoring fans. According to vocalist Vinny Castellano, this track is meant to start their journey on ripping off one of the greatest, in his words, thrash bands of all time, Municipal Waste. I do enjoy Municipal Waste, nothing against them, but not being a thrash band top fan, I cannot speak on whether they are the goats in the genre or not, but they are an amazing band to see live. This upcoming album art was done by Andrei Bouzikov, who has also done work for Municipal Waste. 

Vocalist Castellano adds that this track is supposed to be a SpongeBob retelling when he thinks he’s the toughest guy out there. I think this note is a really funny reference, but it tracks since they cover “Nightcrawlers.” Their set at MMF is sure to be a hit, and you don’t want to miss out. Grab a ticket and join in on the fun! Until then, stream “How Tough Am I?” everywhere and get ready for another killer album from Belushi Speedball in just a couple of months.