Hearing a song shift from a high-energy electro to glam-drenched punk is exciting, and exactly what The Medicine Dolls have pulled off with “Tip the Waitress.”
Initially released in 2024 by GIRLTOOTH, a project featuring members of the band, the track now leans fully into its tongue-in-cheek lyrical content. Far grimier and more eccentric, it channels the spirit of the original with added bite and the band’s signature raw energy. The blaring drums and catchy riff add a fresh twist while retaining the track’s catchy hook without losing its campy charm.
The track’s accompanying music video, directed by the acclaimed master of gore Ryan Kruger, reinforces what it’s all about. Sexy, sometimes over the top, the neon soaked visual features an older gentleman embracing his body among a younger crowd. It never solely relies shock value, nor does it feel self indulgent. It becomes a quiet but powerful reminder that self-acceptance has no age limit. Against this celebration of life, the band’s androgynous, anti-establishment aesthetic feels lived-in rather than performative.
With a sharper, more abrasive edge, this song has some serious impact. The dramatic delivery of a sentiment as simple as tipping a waitress makes for a sharp, sassy, and a pointed reminder on basic courtesy, asking: “Won’t you tip the waitress, motherfucker?”
