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 highlight some 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 music 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.
College football. Apple cider. Fall candles. Pumpkin spice lattes. Homemade chili. I enjoy such things in the fall, no matter how basic you might consider me. This year, I’ve added getting blown away by new music from bands to my list of things I really enjoy at this time of year. Just like the leaves start changing colors, music release schedules get pretty jam packed as well. Thus, it gets that much harder to narrow the list of my priority releases down. So, while my brain might be on fire, it’s filled with bands that should be on everyone’s radar.
Ska
Macsat – Turn It Up
Germany’s Macsat has seen an immense amount of growth since their humble beginnings in 2015. With Turn It Up, they’re firing on all cylinders, creating bi-lingual music that perfectly blends ska with reggae, punk, and alternative rock. Their new album’s title an order, as the 18 tracks all deserve to be listened to at full volume.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone here. Fans of bands like Rancid, The BossTones, 311, Ballyhoo!, and Sublime will really get a kick out of the music. The tracks flow well together here, going from more mellow and laid back to more aggressive punk anthems. Some songs, like “Nein Nein Nein,” even give me a hint of Bruce Lee Band in regards to the way they use the organ.
I also like that the songs shift between the English and German languages. Too many Americans aren’t comfortable exploring n0n-English speaking music. This is a shame because ska is an international genre, and some of the best bands out there don’t speak English. Listening to a bilingual band like Macsat that shifts between English and German (usually between songs, but sometimes in between actual songs) makes for an absolutely joyful listening experience.
PWRUP – “They Bartholomule / Castigation: The Simulation”
Ska Punk International is on a roll right now. In September 2023, they announced the signing of Massachusetts ska-core band PWRUP. To preview the upcoming album, the first two singles were released with the announcement. The band even pulled out some big guns for these singles, including features from members of bands like The Best of the Worst, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Dissidente.
Musically, these offerings are very hardcore and metal-forward, but still undeniably ska. The sense of aggression and urgency with the songs will have you switching between skanking and two-stepping through the whole album. It’s like Blue Meanies, Mr. Bungle, and The Best of the Worst got together and recorded some of the hardest, yet catchiest songs to come out this year. If this is a sign of what’s to come in with the release of the full-length in October, than we’re all in for a treat.
Sgt. Scag – At Least More Than Half-Way Dead
Back in the days of the ’90s Third Wave Ska Boom, Sgt. Scag found a certain level of fame and success within the scene, but they eventually drifted away. Fast forward almost twenty years later, the band reformed to play a set at Supernova Ska Festival. From there, the group decided to record some new music and play some more shows. They’ve kept things rolling ever since, as their first real batch of new music came in the form of a split EP with Hans Gruber and the Die Hards. But now, there’s a new full-length for old and new fans alike.
At Least More Than Half-Way Dead is a cute title that further amplifies that this is the real Sgt. Scag, and yes, they have new music out. So, how is the new album? Amazing. There’s absolutely no ring rust at all. Each song has intricate arrangements that toe the line between hard rock, metal, and ska.
Sgt. Scag are also not afraid to shy away from their personal beliefs in their music. You’ll find some pretty political tracks on the album focusing on today’s current political climate. Given the band’s current station in life, you’ll also hear some song that focus more on social issues and aging. It’s natural to start looking back at once what was and comparing it to the present and future. Sgt. Scag does this in a tactful way that leads to brilliant horn lines. There’s an embarrassment of riches on the songs from this album, and lead singer Steve Lonergan is sounding better than ever.
The Slackers – “Kill You”
The observation that America is a powder keg waiting for the right spark to blow sits at the heart of “Kill You.” The song pairs up the legendary ska band, The Slackers, with Victor Rice, who is a legend in his own right. Together, they’ve created a masterpiece. Rice guides the band through the ebbs and flow of the song’s structure, and even includes a bit of dub towards the end. That’s not the only trick he had up his sleeve. There’s also some reggae involved, and the song goes for over seven glorious minutes. While the song is a tough topic to consider, musically, it’s one of the most beautiful songs The Slackers have released.
The Write-Ups – “Going Back Home”
What’s that old saying? No matter how far away you travel from home, you make it back there eventually. That idea is at the core of “Going Back Home” by The Write-Ups. The song tells the story of the lead singer who, after moving away in search of a better life, is now headed back to Flint, MI to be with his sick mother and to reunite with his friend and support group. It’s a song that highlights the importance of settling somewhere you’re comfortable calling home.
Blending ska with folk punk and melodic punk, the band has created a catchy sing-a-long. The vocals are even on the gritty side, which just adds to this song’s enjoyment to me. The track is the band’s first single off their upcoming debut album. If this is any indication of what to expect, we’re in for a treat.
Punk
American Television – Scars
I’m such a sucker for politically-leaning melodic punk rock. On Scars, American Television delivers in spades. Right out of the gate on “New Generation,” theband sends up a 70-second burst of energy calling attention to the kids of today who are fed up with how things are going in society. They don’t stop there. The next nine songs are high-energy, fast-paced punk rock highlighting what the band sees as society’s political and social issues.
American Television isn’t just pointing out the problems though. They offer solutions and hope. Musically, the songs on Scars are high on melody and pop-punk hooks. The rhythm section provides a blueprint for the rest of the band to follow. While the overall sound is tight and polished, it’s rough and loose where it counts. Even though they’re singing about some pretty important topics, the songs don’t get weighed down by the seriousness of the subject matter. They do a job at keeping thing engaging. When I close my eyes, I can just imagine how fun these songs would be live, my fist raised while singing back to the band.
Braceface – Don’t Lose Your Dinosaur
This is the second Uncle Style release I’ve heard since the imprint was announced. If this is the direction Mike Sosinski is going with his punk-adjacent record label, I’m in. Braceface is a band I wasn’t familiar with until I signed up for the inaugural imprint record club. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but when I listened to the LP for the first time, I was a happy camper. To me, the best way I can describe the band’s sound on this album is 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hour era Green Day meets Face to Face. You’ll hear some meaty guitar bridges and garage rock distortion. The album has already hit my regular rotation.
Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, Braceface leaves it all out on the table with this album, without overstaying their welcome. There’s a certain chaotic melody thread throughout the album’s song, which add just another dynamic to their music. Some highlights for me are “Mayonnaise Jar” and “All My Friends Are Gone.” It’s an album that exhumes several emotions from the inner pits of despair to get you out of any personal funk as soon as possible.
Don’t Panic – Setting Up To Fail
When listening to Don’t Panic for the first time, you’ll definitely hear some pretty clear influences by seminal punk bands like Millencolin, No Use For a Name, and Rise Against. Whether intentional or just happenstance, Setting Up to Fail really brought me back to my teenage years in the ’90s when I first discovered some of those influential bands. This isn’t simple ’90s skate punk though. You’ll hear plenty of guitar-driven melodies drawing inspiration from bands like Foo Fighters and Bayside.
The tracking and album sequencing on the album works extremely well. There aren’t too many mid-tempo songs that string things along. Instead, Don’t Panic makes sure the more up tempo skate punk tracks are scattered in to keep things interesting and flowing. While there are so many good songs on the album, “Consequence Be Damned” does a good job of featuring everything the band can accomplish with their music. It’s very melodic and guitar driven, with soaring vocals and anthemic choruses. Setting Up To Fail is a band finally reaching its full potential. It’s a special thing to be part of as a fan and music nut.
Walter Etc. – When The Band Breaks Up Again
The songs on When The Band Breaks Up Again offer up playful self-deprecation along with the clarity that comes with a re-energized sense of purpose and self. Walter Etc. really did go on hiatus, but lead singer Dustin Hayes just couldn’t stop writing music, so they came back a year later. Musically, Walter Etc. has a pop-punk backbone with hints of power-pop and alternative. At times, they sound like Weezer or Beck meets the Ramones. At other times, it’s just straight forward energetic pop-punk. The through line here is that every song is catchy as hell. The album demands you repeat them once you get through all 24 minutes.
The COVID pandemic serves as background for the writing and recording process of this album, especially becase Hayes lost his uncle suddenly. Through that tragedy came a new perspective on life and of the band. With a new sense of clarity, Hayes realized no matter what’s going on in the world, he’s just happy to be here. In that light, the album becomes a commentary on finding meaning in what you do and who you are in this life. Even though When The Band Breaks Up Again was incited by tragedy to a certain extent, it’s a hopeful treatise on living your best life and finding your purpose, even if everyone in your life thinks you’re making the wrong decisions with your life.
Other Junk
Boston Flowers – Mondegreen
Brooklyn’s Boston Flowers offers up a concept album of sorts with their debut Mondegreen. It takes the listener on the story of someone’s life experiences, including the misunderstandings and misinterpretations that come along while creating your personal narrative. They do all of this with a unique brand of indie pop. Their sound consists of the raw energy and fuzz in alternative music, indie rock’s experimentation, and the infectious hooks of power-pop. It’s the kind of album you won’t be able to resist nodding your head while listening and trying to interpret and understand the narrative the band weaves throughout the album.
The arrangements keep you engaged and listening, but it’s the experimentation that will keep you coming back for more. There’s a lot going on musically that takes multiple listens to truly unpack. If that’s not the sign that Boston Flowers are excellent musicians, I’m not sure what it.
Maura Weaver – I Was Due For a Heartbreak
I’ve been listening to Maura Weaver’s music since her days in Mixtapes. Since then, she’s been in multiple bands, all with varying styles and sentiments. Being in all of those bands really does an amazing job of showing Weaver’s musical versatility. When I heard she was working on a solo project, I was immediately curious what we would get. Knowing just how talented she is and how many different types of music she’s mastered, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when the spotlight was completely hers. Well, the answer is an absolutely beautiful, yet melancholy, indie pop album that also brings in Midwest emo, folk, and Americana into the fold. As I listen to it, I can just feel the spirit of the Midwest infused through each and every song.
The music is absolutely beautiful, even though it takes the listener on several emotional roller coasters. It’s a ride you want to take. The pure tone and heart that oozes from Weaver’s songs beckons to empathetic ears. As Weaver pours out her soul, you can’t help but want to reach out and console in some way. Appropriately, one of the most gut-wrenching songs on the album dips into country music to help tell the tale. That song is the album’s title track. You aren’t left to feel sad for long though because the last track on the album brings I Was Due For a Heartache in a cathartic way.
I really hope this isn’t Maura Weaver’s only solo effort. I honestly can’t wait to see what she tackles next. There’s so much talent and versatility evident with everything she does. I can just imagine how amazing a potential follow-up could be.
OKNice – “Death Saves”
When Eyedea died in 2010, a void was left within the independent hip-hop community. While there will never be another Eyedea & Abilities, another duo from the Twin Cities might just be the most prepared to pick up the baton and run with it. Teaming up with producer Love, Ulysses on “Death Saves,” OKNice is at the top of his game.
The track has OKNice’s smooth and velvety delivery over beats that blend jazz, electronic music, distortion, and a smidge of indie. The beats are extremely dynamic, adding another level to OKNice’s socially conscious lyrics. But I want more than a single. OKNice just keeps getting better, and “Death Saves” takes his musical output to the next level.
The Casper Fight Scene – Haymaker
For being a relatively new band, The Casper Fight Scene sound like seasoned pros. Hailing from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, they sing about growing up and figuring out their purpose in life. The insightful lyrics are teamed up with intricate guitar riffs with A Wilhelm Scream vibes and powerful drum beats. Most of the songs on this EP fit more into an up-tempo emo style. There are flashes of punk arrangements, but the music on Haymaker is definitely more on the emo and indie spectrum. It’s what I would imagine a super group containing members of A Wilhelm Scream, Face to Face, and .moneen. would sound like if that existed.
The Casper Fight Scene doesn’t just rely on the faster tempos. They aren’t afraid to show off their range. On songs like “Soft Parade,” they slow things down and strip the song down to its barest forms. It’s a beautiful way to end the EP. I can safely say The Casper Fight Scene is one of my favorite discoveries of 2023.
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!