It’s been a few years since I last caught up with Pat and The Pissers, the hardcore act I was introduced to through Romanus Records. Back then, I knew little about the band aside from their Indiana roots—a state more synonymous with agriculture and a famed 500-mile race than with a bastion of punk authenticity. Yet here they are, years later, with their third LP, How It’s Done, and I’ve learned one thing:
Pat and The Pissers are anything but nostalgia-bait, suburban dad punk-pop!
Their previous release had a ferocious, throwback punk style, keeping true to the genre’s raw ethos without sinking too deep into politics. But How It’s Done is a different beast entirely. All the fuzzy static, grinding guitars, and apathetic attitude remains, but this time there’s a sharper focus on social commentary.
In “Overflow,” frontman Alex Beckman snarls, “Defund public schools because silent soldiers follow rules. The job is to yell, not to act with the winners write the history class.” On the surface, it’s the familiar anti-establishment refrain, but it’s actually deeper than that. What sets Beckman’s attitude apart from many of his contemporaries is that he sings it like he means it.
At its core, How It’s Done is a layered indictment of the system’s manipulation of knowledge and power.
My favorite track, “Better Off Dead,” is undoubtedly a critique of the current political climate in the U.S. The band doesn’t just take aim at the two-party system but at the corrupt corporate players who control both sides. “Binary Code” and “Big Hit” target America’s obsession with influencer culture. Meanwhile, “Best Interest” takes a hard look at the hollow consequences of blindly following the directives of popular culture.
Despite these sharp critiques of leadership and culture, How It’s Done is also a clear musical evolution for Pat and The Pissers. Punk doesn’t require social commentary to resonate—after all, the genre’s foundation is built on raw energy, rebellion, and unfiltered self-expression. But when done right, commentary like this adds a layer of depth, making the music both relevant and undeniably powerful.
Pat and The Pissers have matured as artists by doubling down, growing even gnarlier and disheveled.
This makes How It’s Done a compelling punk record. It channels defiance and authenticity while offering an insightful critique of today’s world. It’s a perfect blend of call-and-response, a testament to the band’s ability to capture the angst of our times without losing their edge. No matter how you slice it, Pat and The Pissers shows the punk establishment exactly how it’s done!
How It’s Done is available on vinyl at Romanus Records and streaming on Bandcamp.