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.
The holiday shopping season is in full effect, which means the airwaves are jammed with Christmas music right now. If you’re like me, the old standards feel old and tired. That’s why I’m always on the look out for new Christmas tunes that are standards in the making. This month’s potential Christmas miracles come from ska heavyweights Bite Me Bambi and We Are The Union.
But if you’re feeling particularly grinchy right now, have no fear! This month’s column is still chock-full of new discoveries that aren’t holiday themed!
SKA
Bite Me Bambi – “Mall Santa”
Bite Me Bambi have always been masters of wordplay and infectious energy. While “Mall Santa” is a Christmas song at its core, I can already heard myself singing it randomly throughout the entire year. It tells the story of unrequited love between the narrator and the titular Mall Santa. Filled with spicy, yet playful, double entendres, the tune also features fun musical interludes from more traditional Christmas classics.
Even with several tempo changes and style changes, the star of the show is the interplay between the band and lead singer Tahlena Chikami. At times, she evokes the mood of a sultry lounge singer, but others, she conjures some big rock star moments too. When “Mall Santa” finally reaches its climax and finale, listeners might be asking Bite Me Bambi for a post-coital cigarette.
Rundown Kreeps – RDK
My first taste of Rundown Kreeps came last year when they debuted “Held Down” for My Grito Industries, a ska-punk ditty with a hint of rockabilly by way of Sublime. That single made the cut for the RDK full-length, along with ten other tracks that highlight the band’s musical diversity.
RDK is a kaleidoscope of ska, Los Angeles skate punk, psychobilly, and reggae. At times, I hear Stray Cats, while others I hear Social Distortion. Definite similarities to the aforementioned Sublime exist, but Rundown Kreeps actually have a message in their music. While their music can draw comparisons to more established bands – including Ballyhoo! – Rundown Kreeps have created a sound all their own.
They’re definitely a product of their environment. Coming up in the Los Angeles DIY music scene, Rundown Kreeps were exposed to a wide variety of music, and they pulled from that experience to create their sound. As they say on “Yellow Truck,” they’re DIY ’til the day that they die. That attitude makes them great ambassadors for the current crop of independent artists.
We Are The Union – “Yr Always Alone (On Christmas)”
I Surrender Records has a brand new original Christmas compilation called I Surrender Sleighs. One of the bands “sleighing” on the album is We Are The Union. If you’re familiar with WATU’s music, or their previous Christmas song, “I’m Working Retail For Christmas,” then you already know it will be a Christmas song for people who hate Christmas songs. Reade and the gang flip the genre’s conventions on their head with a poppy, upbeat track about how uncomfortable interactions with friends and family can be around the holidays.
While WATU is still a ska band at its core, this track showcases the band’s evolving style. The synthesizers call to mind The Hippos and Weezer, while some of the more reggae-inspired portions give me Bedouin Soundclash and Vampire Weekend vibes. If this tune is a taste of what to expect from We Are The Union in the future, I need a second helping as soon as possible.
PUNK
Eevie Echoes – Self Care
I enjoy happy coincidences. This month, it felt like Eevie Echoes knew I was curating releases for this column and timed a new album accordingly. She just released three-song EP on Beautiful Rat Records called Self Care. Her previous records were much louder and more aggressive. With this one, she unplugged for three acoustic folk-punk songs that continue to showcase her artistic range.
For this release, Eevie teams up with the likes of Tape Girl and She / Her / Hers. These songs offer a glimpse into her life experiences as a trans female. Hearing her messages in this stripped-down context makes them feel even more earnest and honest.
If Eevie Echoes keeps this up, she’s going to become a household name in no time. I can’t wait to hear what she has up her sleeve next. When the book finally shuts on 2022, I truly believe she will be my favorite new discovery of the year.
Fire Sale – A Fool’s Errand
“Super group” is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the music industry. Sometimes it’s warranted, and sometimes it’s a stretch, but it’s completely appropriate for Fire Sale.
Anyone who’s listened to punk in the last 30 years knows these bands: No Use For a Name, Face to Face, The Ataris, Ann Beretta. All of them heavy hitters. So, if you’re familiar with any of them, then you have a very good idea what A Fool’s Errand sounds like.
No Use For a Name and Face to Face are two of my favorite bands. When Tony Sly died ten years ago, I was devastated. To me, he perfectly spoke to my experience as an angsty teenager and twenty-something. Hell, even now, his lyrics still hit hard as I navigate my 40s. I was sad for so many reasons when he died – for his family, for his friends. I also knew that meant No Use For a Name was done.
But when I saw Matt Riddle pop up in Fire Sale, something in my heart reignited. This might not be No Use For a Name, but it’s as close as I’ll get. Listening to this two-song EP felt like having a drink with a long lost friend you’ve recently reconnected with. After hearing these two songs, I really hope Fire Sale gets a full length out in the wild sooner than later. Their music encompasses everything I love about punk rock – pounding bass, anthemic choruses, and heartfelt lyrics. We need more of this brand of punk rock.
Magnolia Park – Baku’s Revenge
Magnolia Park is about to change the face of modern punk rock. Baku’s Revenge packs a lot of punch into 25 minutes. A welcome full-length debut from a new voice in the scene, the album requires a critical ear to better hear the sonic and lyrical layers. On the surface, each song is constructed with tight melodies, hooks for days, and sing-along choruses. They’ve also elevated punk as a genre by using auto-tune, drum machines, synths, and hip-hop textures.
Magnolia Park can disguise mature topics in their upbeat brand of pop-punk. “Drugs” covers the downward spiral that can lead to joining the 27 Club, while “Paralyzed” talks about police brutality and racism. What would a pop punk album be without relationship songs? Magnolia Park has that covered as well on “I Should’ve Listened to my Friends,” “Misfits,” and “Ghost 2 U.” Just don’t expect these songs to be happy relationship songs.
While listening to this album, I kept wondering about recent proclamations in the mainstream music press that anointed Machine Gun Kelly as the new face of punk rock. Why is he the supposed “chosen one” when talented bands like Magnolia Park are out there in the actual streets? Luckily, I think Baku’s Revenge will earn this band the attention it deserves.
Sic Waiting – A Fine Hill To Die On
I love loud, aggressive punk rock, but there will always be a special place in my heart for melodic punk. I guess I’m just a sucker for melody and a message. Take A Fine Hill To Die On by Sic Waiting for example. The band has been around for about 20 years, but this was my first time hearing their music. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that considering how much I like this album, but better late than never, right?
Being a melodic punk act from Southern California puts Sic Waiting in the same light as bands like No Use For a Name, Face to Face, Strung Out, and Ignite. Not bad company to keep, if I do say so myself. The songs on A Fine Hill To Die On would fit right in with albums released by Epitaph or Fat Wreck Chords in the ’90s. But don’t confuse Sic Waiting for a throwback or nostalgia act. Their songs are tight, melodic, and filled with modern sensibilities. While the group pay homage to the past with this record, Sic Waiting is firmly planted in the present.
OTHER JUNK
Franz Nicolay – New River
While Franz Nicolay has released solo music since the late ’00s, I’m more familiar with his work for World/Inferno Friendship Society and The Hold Steady. New River was my first real foray into his solo career. Though I can definitely hear some influences from his other bands on the album, that’s likely because I went looking for them. Approaching this album with that mindset isn’t fair because it’s a journey where multiple musical moods move like water.
As a whole, New River is a full-bodied experience that is best enjoyed from start to finish. You will hear strands of acoustic folk, alt-country, punk, and jazz ebbing and flowing. Nicolay has assembled a tremendous supporting cast to help bring his poetic and heartfelt lyrics to life. The record is an ambitious undertaking – one that he knocks out of the park.
Marlowe – Marlowe 3
It’s always a joy to find an album that comes out of the blue and completely shocks you. Until this month, I honestly had no idea the hip-hop duo Marlowe existed. In fact, I only listened to Marlowe 3 on a whim after a strong recommendation from a friend. And what I heard blew me away.
The album has been on constant repeat since that initial revelation. It’s that good. Production from L’Orange rivals the likes of Danger Mouse and Madlib while Solemn Brigham delivers socially conscious lyrics with clever wordplay. No matter what beat L’Orange serves up, Brigham’s flow rides the beats flawlessly.
Musically, Marlowe ranks with the likes of P.O.S. and the rest of the Doomtree crew. Aa love of classic hip-hop emanates from Marlowe 3. If it had come out in the ’90s, it would have competed with A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, complete with rhythmic boom-bap stylings.
Marlowe is a refreshing voice in modern hip-hop because of their ample heart, talent, and direction. I had my Top Albums of 2022 pretty much nailed down already, but Marlowe 3 has caused me to rethink that list and make some hard decisions.
If you want me to listen to your ska, punk, or other junk, please feel free to contact me here. You might just see yourself in a future column!