Portland Band Federale Released New Cover Single

The local psych-rock group premiered a dramatic reimagining of I Want a New Drug to announce their upcoming album.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Alternative

Portland Band Federale Released New Cover Single

Live Poll

Do you prefer listening to original songs or creative new covers of those same tracks?

Portland-based psych-rock band Federale has released a cover of the classic Huey Lewis & the News track I Want a New Drug. The single accompanies the announcement of the band's upcoming album, Love & Other Lies.

Why it matters

Founder Collin Hegna reimagined the song to cast the original track in a darker, more dramatic light. The project also serves as a celebration of the band's longevity and recent creative resilience.

The band has released seven records since 2004, the same year founder Collin Hegna established Revolver Studios. This new single is released on Jealous Butcher Records.

The players

Federale

This is a Portland-based psych-rock band that has been active since 2004.

Collin Hegna

He is the founder of the band Federale and established the local Revolver Studios in 2004.

Jealous Butcher Records

This is the record label responsible for distributing the latest single from the band.

The details

The cover version incorporates baritone vocals, a new wave horn section, and reverb-drenched rhythm guitar. Hegna developed the material for the new album after receiving eviction notices for the band's studio.

Federale was founded in 2004.
The new single and album were announced on October 1, 2026.
The band performs at the Kennedy School Theatre on October 30, 2026.
A performance in Bolinas, California, is set for November 29, 2026.
The band plays at the Crystal Ballroom on January 29, 2027.

Industry Dynamics

This cover reflects a broader trend of indie artists reclaiming and recontextualizing pop staples from the 1980s through distinct genre lenses. It marks a stylistic departure from the bright, upbeat production that defined the era's original radio success.

Fans in Portland can catch the band live at the Kennedy School Theatre this October or at the Crystal Ballroom in early 2027. The new single is now available for streaming through the band's distribution channels.

The takeaway

Creative projects often arise from periods of high pressure, such as Hegna's experience writing songs during studio eviction proceedings. Listeners can appreciate how a change in tempo and instrumentation can entirely transform the emotional resonance of a familiar melody.