Nastiriff Unleashes ‘Conservative’ – A Bold Rock Anthem from Debut EP MALUS with a Fearless Music Video
Nastiriff is shaking up the rock ‘n roll scene with their debut EP, MALUS—a five-track adrenaline rush packed with raw energy, sharp satire, and an unapologetic punch. Accompanying the release is their latest single, ‘Conservative’, a fearless critique of the self-righteous, complete with a bold and provocative music video.
“MALUS stems from deep, rotten roots,” the band explains. “It’s a collection of thoughts and experiences delivered in a comedically combative rock ‘n roll package, placing offense exactly where it belongs.”
The EP title isn’t random; derived from the Latin word for “nasty,” MALUS is a deliberate jab. “The root ‘MAL’ is the basis of many words across multiple languages, all tied to negativity—malfunction, malice, malevolent,” the band shares. “It perfectly aligns with Nastiriff’s mission: to confront the holier-than-thou and do so without hesitation.”
Each track on the EP takes a swing at societal contradictions. ‘Suck It’ exposes the overconfident, ‘Bang’ lashes out at the perpetually angry, ‘Conservative’ mocks the morally righteous, ‘Bed By Seven’ calls out stagnation, and ‘Vintage Calculators’ romanticizes the unconventional. “In the end, everyone trying to stand out just ends up the same,” Nastiriff states. “This EP is a reminder that none of us are truly special. Importance is an illusion, and life would be better if we embraced that.”
The band credits Ruan and the team at Sonic Nursery for their precision and dedication in capturing Nastiriff’s energy. “Music isn’t just audio and visuals—it’s about feeling,” the band insists. “When we play, we embody the emotion behind it.”
To maintain authenticity, drums were recorded separately while the rest of the band played together, preserving the organic energy. “You can hear it in the tracks. We locked in, played each song five times, then made small touch-ups. Vocals took two days before being mixed and mastered.”
‘Conservative’ is a satirical, no-holds-barred critique of the stubbornly self-righteous. “It’s a stab at the ou Afrikaanse oom in his kort broekie, sunburnt skin, and rigid opinions,” says vocalist Gavin Wilmers. “I grew up around these people—they’re offended by everything yet blind to their own hypocrisy.”
The song highlights the irony of extreme modesty, where traditional Afrikaans couples avoid seeing each other naked for years, yet react in outrage at the sight of skin. “These people deserve a verbal beating from Nastiriff. I’ll probably get bliksemed one day, but someone has to push back against the nonsense they impose, especially on women.”
The accompanying music video mirrors this conflict—juxtaposing peaceful settings with Nastiriff’s explosive performance, disrupting the calm with unfiltered chaos. “It’s like when someone says, ‘Come! You know where I live!’—and then you actually show up,” the band laughs.
Blending confrontation with a body-positive message, ‘Conservative’ dismantles outdated mindsets and forces listeners to challenge their perspectives. Nastiriff isn’t just making music—they’re making a statement.
