Original Sharks are hailing from Brooklyn, New York, but they don’t play NYHC, they play melodic punk like it was played in the nineties on all those glorious bands and releases but also with some newer emo and pop punk thrown in here and there for good measure. There are eight songs on this little release, being quite short but effective. There you have your fast melodic skate punk in songs like ‘Old Standards’ or ‘Kit Carson’ but there are also slower more mid tempo heart rendering emotions of ‘Mudhound’. Vocals are a bit sad sounding, I mean like feeling sadness when singing and they are great. Backing vocal harmonies are just in right places and lyrics are personal, but written in a smart way and you can totally read them and think about and relate in your personal life, which once more confirms that music is life, life is music and we are in this scene because of that. This is a great band, so go support and throw some love their way. Record is ‘name your price’ but I am sure band will appreciate any kind of support and love.
Sunliner were already featured on the pages of this zine when they released their single from this debut album that came out with Lockjaw Records. UK scene is alive and thriving with some great bands and releases coming out every month and week. These Leeds based band presents ten songs on this new opus. The music can be described as that pop punk influenced melodic punk rock that somehow soothes and heals broken heart and soul. Music is mid tempo mainly, creating beautiful melodies also some post punk dreamy vibes like in ‘Jo, Joni, Mary and Maria’. Vocals are rougher edged but fit like glove to the overall atmosphere of the songs and what Sunliner tried to create here lyrically. Well, lyrics are so well written and personal that everyone can relate to. This might be seen as a concept album if you watch it lyrically as one man’s voyage through life. My personal favorites on this great pop punk record are: ‘4AM’, ‘Salad Days’ and ‘What A Time To Be Alive’.
The Scuba Kids are from Los Angeles and they have been in the scene long, but I must admit that this is their first release I have listened. This one contains five songs of melodic punk rock mixed with ska and brass music, so the band which comes somehow to mind while listening to The Scuba Kids is Less Than Jake, although The Scuba Kids retain more of a rawer punk energy through all reggae and ska parts. Do not get me wrong this is still melodic punk rock with great vocal lines and melodies, but singer has some more shouting and screaming parts and there is as I can hear synth in ‘I Think It’s Me’ song that somehow sounds dreamy in that reggae ska parts. Lyrics are personal and as you might have imagined from the record title deal with all the bullshit that befell us in last two years due to well known pandemic circumstances. My personal favorites on this one are: ‘UR Dead’ and ‘Vaxenema’. This release is name your price on Bandcamp, so show some love to the band, I am sure they will appreciate it much.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 