Before getting started, a little background might be in order. In 2018, an indie video game developer named Glass Bottom Games announced a video game called SkateBIRD. This indie darling has been in development ever since. Now, at long last, it’ll be released this summer. SkateBIRD answers the question, what would happen if Tony Hawk was a real bird. Gameplay is similar to Tony Hawk Pro Skater, but with a pet bird. Also like THPS, it’s expected that SkateBIRD will have a killer soundtrack that spawns a whole new generation of punk and ska bands. One such band is Boise, Idaho’s Illicit Nature. Less than a year after the release of their debut album, Illicit Nature is back with the SkateBIRD-inspired EP, Skate the Bird.
Skate the Bird is a five track EP loosely influenced by the upcoming video game. The amount of songs directly inspired by the game won’t affect your enjoyment of the album though. Whether you’re a fan of the game, or the band, the only thing that might upset you is that it’s only an EP.
Illicit Nature offer up a dynamic, yet throwback punk sound. They hit you in the face immediately on “FS Ollie” and give you a quick break on the slower-tempo punk ballad “Help Me Out.” That song follows the narrator having some depression concerns as they have someone in their live trying to help them.
After that slight reprieve, Illicit Nature comes right back with their brand of straight forward blistering punk rock. As much as I enjoyed each song on the album, “Today” was the stand out to me. If you’re a fan of street punk, it’s got it all. Bratty vocals with an anthemic chorus. Pounding bass and drums. Fast-tempo driving guitars. When I close my eyes and listen to it, I can visualize the circle pit that would open up at a live show when the song starts up.
If you’re a fan of straight forward punk rock, then look no further.
While they sound like they would fit in with the ’80s punk scene, Illicit Nature has a modern feel to go with their nostalgic sensibility. Honestly, if you like older punk music, thrash, or hardcore punk, there’s something here for you to latch onto. Definitely worth giving Skate the Bird a spin.