Welcome to “Ska, Punk, and Other Junk!” With this monthly column, I’ll highlight all of the cool things I discovered in the ska and punk scenes each month. And, because I listen to more than just those two genres, I have to make sure I highlight the other junk I discovered along the way too! (NOTE: Not actually junk, I just wanted to go with the rhyme). There’s so much cool stuff out there these days. This is my attempt to cover as much of it as possible.
Hopefully, you find your new favorite band … or at least some cool new tunes to enjoy.
In my introduction to last month’s column, I noted that the first column was going to be a bit longer than others because there was just so much music to cover. I wanted to start this series out with a bang, so I went release heavy with every expectation to trim things down in future columns. Well, that future might just have to start in November because October was a jam-packed month, which made whittling releases down pretty hard. Instead of wracking my brain about who to cut, I just included my entire list. The more the merrier, right? Plus, since today is Halloween, I made sure to include some spooky music too.
Ska
The Anchorage – “Dead Man’s Party”
Fresh off the heels of the summer release of their new album, Wild Stories, Utah alterna-ska band The Anchorange put out this cover of a classic Oingo Boingo track, just in time for Halloween. With their version of “Dead Man’s Party,” The Anchorage make it their own. Replacing the ’80s New Wave with a more modern sensibility is just one of several reinterpretations of the source material.
The spirit of the song still remains, but The Anchorage made it theirs, which is always my favorite thing with cover songs. There’s nothing worse than a band not introducing their own personal embellishments when they release a cover. Most of the fun for me with cover songs is seeing how bands make their version special. For “Dead Man’s Party,” The Anchorage focuses on blending harder alternative rock with ska. Musically, it’s a very horn and guitar-forward track, masterfully transforming “Dead Man’s Party” into a modern classic.
Foolish Relics – Too Old?
I first heard about Tampa Bay’s Foolish Relics on Twitter. For as much of a cesspool the social media platform is, I must say that #skatwitter is one of the more welcoming and positive places that exist there. Too Old? is their debut, and after listening to it a few times, I was extremely impressed with the songs on the debut.
Admittedly, I found out about the band because of the singles with Brittany Luna from Catbite, and Eichlers. I’m sure I would’ve discovered Foolish Relics eventually, but having some of the Bad Time folks on the record sped that along a bit. Both of those songs are great, but there’s some magic happening on the songs with no guest stars too. In the sound department, they shift from punk to punk with horns. Then, they switch it over to ska and reggae.
Lyrically, the album felt like a self-help session from time to time. That was the most apparent to me on the title track. What’s touched on in that song is never giving up. I’m at an age now where I’m thinking more about what I haven’t done instead of what I have done. The song helps me put things into perspective to get me ready for the second part of life.
Lumpy – Burn the Page
We had the pleasure of premiering Lumpy’s latest single ahead of this album’s official release. It was a definite taste of what was to come. I’m happy to report Burn the Page is just as dynamic and introspective as the singles that were released to promote the album.
Lumpy really is a Renaissance man of sorts. Practically every single thing to do with the album was touched by him in some capacity. When listening to Lumpy, synth and indie rock will almost always hit you first. Then, the ska kicks in, and suddenly you’re hit with synth keyboards, indie pop ala Weezer, and They Might Be Giants. I’d be really interesting in hearing what Lumpy sounds like with a full-fledged crew and band supporting him in the recording space. Until that day happens, I would recommend for bands reach out because Lumpy is extremely talented.
Roshambo – Survive, Revive, Revolt
Roshambo is another band with an October full-length debut that came out this month. For the uninitiated, the members of Roshambo come from some of the best UK ska and ska core bands in England. Bands like JB Conspiracy and Faintest Idea are represented in Roshambo’s debut.
This album isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t. The tempo and urgency of some of the songs on the album are elevated, resulting in some pretty heavy guitar and some amazing horn work. The horn players on this album are some of the best I’ve heard this year. Keeping up with the pace of each song has to be extremely challenging, but they stepped up to the plate and delivered an inspired performance.
Ska core will remain alive and well as long as bands like Roshambo and Omnigone continue to pump out ska core gems. I’m really hoping the foundation that bands like Roshambo are responsible for brings about s resurgence in ska-core music.
Westbound Train – Dedication
Switching gears a tad on this one, since up until now most of this month’s offerings have been ska punk or ska-core. One of the perks of writing about music is that I get to hear a lot of music early. I usually have a pretty good idea of what’s coming out for the month (and in some cases, for the year). Because I have access to so much music ahead of time, it’s hard to surprise me. Well, enter Westbound Train.
Full transparency, I didn’t know this album was ever going to be possible. It’s been 13 years since the last Westbound Train album, and since then, lead singer Obi Fernandez has been moonlighting with The Inevitables. At this point, I just accepted that I would never hear new music from Westbound Train again. That’s why this surprise release was even more special because Westbound is one of the best pure ska bands in the scene today. I put them up there with The Slackers and the Hepcats of the world. Their music has a dash of Motown soul mixed in with more traditional Jamaican ska influences.
Dedication is a much-welcomed homecoming to one of my favorite bands. I’m so glad they’re back.
Punk
Bear Away –Â A Drastic Tale of Western Living
October has been one hell of a month for debut albums. A Drastic Tale of Western Living is no exception. Spanning ten tracks and coming in at just under 30 minutes, this debut from melodic UK punks Bear Away is a sonic boom to your senses. Three of the tracks on the album have been previously released on EPs in the past, but the majority of the music here is brand new.
When listening to the songs on this EP, I’m immediately reminded of Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, Samiam, and Leatherface. If you like your punk on the more insightful and melodic spectrum, Bear Away will be a welcome addition to your collection. Even more, their music arrangements are second to none. Melodic punk is at the core of all they’re doing, but you’re also going to hear some indie sensibility, as well as emo, and pop punk. Lots of layers to dissect and enjoy. It’s the kind of album that you’ll just put on repeat to listen to again immediately.
Eevie Echoes – “Little Libra”
Eevie Echoes is one of my favorite new discoveries of 2022. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and will be one of those artists that everyone has a “I remember when” story about after she blows up. On “Little Libra,” Eevie blends the the distorted garage rock sound, Iggy and the Stooges, and a dash of ska punk, to tell the story of regaining your strength from an abusive relationship. Honestly, Eevie Echoes is going to be a star and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.
Give You Nothing –Â Songs For The Broken
Written and recorded during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Give You Nothing’s Songs For The Broken, is the follow-up from their 2019 self-titled debut. Formed by veterans of the California punk and hardcore scene, Give You Nothing wear that status like a badge of honor. Everything on this album feels like it would fit right in with some of the ’90s heavyweights from Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords.
Even though their music is firmly inspired by the ’90s skate punk scene, the songs don’t feel dated. Nostalgic perhaps, but never dated. Anthemic choruses. Pounding drums. Metallic hardcore guitar breakdowns. Vocals that are both aggressive and melodic at the same time. It’s all here to be enjoyed. Honestly, if you’re a fan of ’90s skate punk and hardcore and you’re not listening to Give You Nothing, it’s time to change that. You’ll hear elements of bands like Strike Anywhere, H2O, Agnostic Front, NoFX, and Face to Face here. Not a bad pedigree to be compared to.
Horror Section – Part II: Rewind Resurrection
Another Halloween-inspired entry this month comes in the form of Horror Section’s latest –Â Part II: Rewind Resurrection. Any of the 12 tracks on this album would be perfect fits for a horror movie soundtrack. Each track is oozing with horror aesthetics, so the album is perfect for this time of year (or all year if you’re like me and feel like Halloween should be year-round).
At times, concept bands and albums can get cheesy, but that’s not the case here. It helps that the folks in Horror Section are talented musicians. It put me in the mind of older AFI and AFI side project Son of Sam. Lots of melody in each song as well. There’s a very classic pop punk sound (think Ramones and Descendents) as a through line in each track as well.
Pinkshift – Love Me Forever
One of the biggest flaws with festivals like When We Were Young is that they focus too much on nostalgia when there’s a crop of new bands busting their asses out there that deserve the attention. Sure, I enjoyed listening to a lot of the bands on those festivals when I was a kid and I loved seeing them live for $20, but I just can’t imagine spending the kind of money they’re asking for to relive my childhood. Especially when bands like Pinkshift come out and change the game.
Sticking with the nostalgia theme here, I’m sure Pinkshift will be compared to Paramore the most on their debut album, but that really does them a disservice. Sure, Pinkshift has some Hayley Williams-esque choruses from time to time, but the band is so much more. On this album, you’ll hear some straightforward pop punk, but you’re also going to hear sincere ballads with piano accompaniment, modern hardcore, and thrash punk that will instantly give you L7 vibes.
The winds of change are blowing and it’s time to pay attention. Pinkshift is one of those new bands out there making waves. If they’re this good on their debut, holy shit are we in for a wild ride as they gain momentum.
1876 – Pow Wow Punk Rock III
My formative teenage years were in the ’90s, so I have a special place in my heart for that ’90s skate-punk sound. It sounds like the folks in 1876 share my love of the style because when I listen to their music, I’m transported to the Van’s Warped Tour and I’m playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater. They would fit right in with bands like No Use For a Name, Propagandhi, Pennywise, and The Offspring.
What makes 1876 more unique than its contemporaries is its perspective and worldview. Made up of indigenous peoples, 1876’s brand of political skate punk tells the story of the hardships their community has faced and continues to face. They also blend their musical traditions with punk rock creating an even more dynamic sound. What’s even more amazing is that 1876 has only been a band for two years. They sound like a band that’s been playing together for decades. The future is so bright for 1876. Their music is amazing and they have an important story to tell. Watch out for them!
Other Junk
Bedouin Soundclash – We Will Meet In a Hurricane
I’ve been a fan of Bedouin Soundclash since the early 2000s, and they never cease to amaze me. We Will Meet In a Hurricane is no different. On it, the Canadian duo blend pop sensibilities with dub, reggae, ska, and indie. Their music was always so unique and fresh in contrast to everyone else on SideOneDummy at the time, that I had a hard time labeling them. Well, it’s taken me almost 20 years, but I finally have a label for them – Bedouin Soundclash.
Much like The Clash and The Police before them, Bedouin Soundclash masterfully craft their influences in such a way that they can only be described as their own. What I mean is that when you hear The Clash, there’s no mistaking who it is. That’s how I feel about Bedouin Soundclash. With this new album, they have further transcended the genre into a refreshing sound that is all their own. We Will Meet in a Hurricane is Bedouin Soundclash at its best.
If you want me to hear your ska, punk, or other junk, please feel free to contact me here. Who knows, you might just see yourself in a future column!