A split single, you say? Well, that’s a format we haven’t seen for a while. It takes me right back to my formative years as a newly obsessed record collector hunting down shared vinyl by my favourite punk, post-punk, and underground bands. It’s a concept that only makes sense in physical releases, a way of sharing costs and appealing to a broader audience, so expect the vinyl version to appear early next year.
In the meantime, four new tracks from two of the most infectious and awesome bands are doing the rounds today.
Kicking off with Mega Infinity’s contribution, the opening salvo, “Eyelids”, sees them team up with fellow ska-punks Joystick! in a riot of skanking grooves and punk energy, dynamic breakdowns and punchy grooves. “Let Me Drive My Van Into Your Heart” mixes a warped doo-woop vibe with the more punky vibes of before, an echo of the past hurtling headlong into the future.
“Disaster(er)” marks the arrival of Bad Mary and sees them blend some of those ska and reggae grooves that are floating about into their infectious rock and roll: brass blasts, drums pound, guitars lick, launch and lacerate, and you are reminded that their brand of rock music has always erred on the side of pop and punk and party. And party this does.
“Want What I Want” retains the horns but puts the rock and roll pedal to the metal, with staccato blasts of riffs and lyrics, muscle and melody flying about all over the place. This song, in particular, is a great test of character in that if you are not dancing along to the middle section guitar and brass play-off, then music probably isn’t for you.
Sorry, I don’t make the rules, that’s just the way it is.
