Punk Rock Saturday!
Your weekend just found its distortion pedal. New tunes from Downstater, JAYSDEAD, and Wavves x Say Anything.
Downstater – “Finish Line”
From Quebec City, Downstater have just released “Finish Line,” a bleak and existential offering to the world of punk. A quick drum fill gets things started before a double-time cyclone of what feels like a million distortion pedals hits you square in the ears. But even amid the thunder of this melodic hardcore freight train, the band still finds room to deliver vocal harmonies that set them apart from many of their peers. While we're picking up on the influences of Rise Against and The Offspring, what truly makes “Finish Line” anthemic are the soaring "oh oh oh" vocals, which will likely earn them a blue ribbon for crowd participation. Between the melancholic lyrics, pristine lead guitar, stellar production, and hooky gang vocals, we honestly can't decide which part we like best. Connect with Downstater: Spotify | Instagram | Bandcamp
JAYSDEAD – “SOS”
While it might be summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is officially monsoon season in India. And in addition to humid winds and heavy rains, the country has also offered up the edgy pop-punk sounds of JAYSDEAD. With their roots burrowed deeply into skateboard culture, this tight trio has just unleashed “SOS,” a track that caught our attention with its dynamite production and earworm hooks. While a good number of modern bands lean into an over-polished, commercial sound, JAYSDEAD embraces the raw energy that defined much of the '90s punk scene. The time-tested recipe of a dynamic rhythm section and a fistful of power chords has more than earned this four-and-a-half-minute banger a spot on our site. So press play, grab your skateboard, and head for the heat dome. “Right now!” You're in for the ride of your life! Connect with JAYSDEAD: Spotify | Instagram
Wavves x Say Anything – “Deathx1k”
Los Angeles has always been a haven for cutting-edge music, so it seems only fitting that Wavves and Say Anything have joined forces for one monster of a collaboration. The two have just birthed “Deathx1k,” the lead single from their forthcoming LP Cherry Soda. The moment you press play, it becomes obvious these two know their way around a recording studio, with an almost spaghetti western-style guitar sneaking its way between heavy hits from the rhythm section. But where this song completely wins us over is with the Matt Skiba-esque vocal performance, accentuated by the kinds of harmonies that made Alkaline Trio such exemplars of the punk world. “Deathx1k” picks up both speed and fury on the refrains before revealing a dark, dynamic twist across the middle eight, successfully bringing home the chaotic, self-destructive, and emotionally volatile subject matter. Tacking on a guitar and vocal breakdown before the final wall of sound, this song is raising the standard on California punk. Connect with Wavves: Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify Connect with Say Anything: Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify
See ya next week.
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-O.Meaney