One of my favorite things about ska bands today is that they completely destroy the stereotype that ska music is silly circus music. That trend continues with Chicago’s Bumsy and the Moochers. On their new album, Diet Violence, Bumsy mixes peppy ska with blistering pop punk. Their brand of ska punk gives me some nostalgic vibes from the ’90s, mixed with modern sensibilities. Each song on the album is a dance song at its core. Sometimes, that dancing might just end up to be slam dancing though.
Speaking of nostalgia, one of my favorite songs on the album is “Rewind 99.” In that song, lead singer Caitlin Edwards reminisces about the good old days of being outside, Super Nintendo, and not having the internet. Life in 2022 is really stressful at times, so this song is a fast punky diversion with a strong escapism vibe.
Continuing on with the more punk-forward songs on the album, another highlight is “AKT” (Ass Kicked Tonight). Musically, the song gives me some major MXPX and Mest vibes. It’s fast, frenetic, and the kind of song that feels like it would be an amazing sing-a-long live. If the song title isn’t obvious enough, the song is essentially about karma for folks who really deserve a good ass kicking.
When listening to the ska and ska punk songs on the album, you’ll here influences that span from the likes of Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Dance Hall Crashers, Operation Ivy, Flying Raccoon Suit, and Mustard Plug. If you’re a fan of any of these heavy hitters, then you will definitely love Bumsy and the Moochers.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Chicago bands. There’s just an authenticity about them that is refreshing. That fondness I share for Chicago music continues with Bumsy. Their music doesn’t punch down and really gives the listener something to chew on while they sing and dance along.
Diet Violence isn’t afraid to dissect the issues of the day.
On “Jump the Gun,” for instance, criticizes our tendency to jump into political discourse when we might be ignorant about the topic at hand. At one point, lead singer Caitlin Edwards calls humans the virus, which is a pretty astute observation. Between being manipulated by politicians and our lackluster handling of the COVID pandemic, this song might be the vaccine we need to stop and think going forward. The song is complemented by “Time’s Up” towards the end of the album. It decries that time’s up for likes of the bigots, racists, and misogynists in our society.
Politics isn’t the only thing in Bumsy and the Moochers’ cross hairs.
There’s also plenty of commentary on social and personal issues as well. “Not Gonna Have It” is a fast-paced ska song focusing on health and body issues. “Living the Nightmare” focuses on life’s unrealized expectations and aspirations. While I enjoyed the entire album, there were certain songs that stuck out to me as a cathartic release. I anticipate listening to them will become part of my self-care routine.
If you’re not really in the mood to listen to the songs on Diet Violence with a critical ear, have no fear. On the surface, the album is ten tracks of catchy, and high energy ska punk. Ones that you can definitely dance and sing along with the choruses. There’s no wrong way to enjoy music, so if that’s your jam, awesome. If you do choose to listen a bit deeper, you’ll find that Bumsy and the Moochers have a lot of valuable things to say.