Courtesy of Sugar Skull Explosion
It’s not rare to hear of punk bands including family members. What is odd is a punk band that is cross-generational, let alone a family band, that also really works well either despite or because of that dynamic. This is the case for Phoenix’s garage horror-punk duo Sugar Skull Explosion. This project consists of father J-Skull on bass from local acts like Hug of War and daughter E-Skull, who hasn’t even hit her double digits yet, beatin’ the drums. Not even a year old, this team has already released an EP and a single. As they gear up for their next show, they will also be releasing their next album, without a single song clocking in at over two minutes, Zombie Party.
The album kicks off with “Defeat the Beach/Lost Control,” a darkly nihilistic surfy garage punk medley. E-Skull thrashes out from the get go for the first part before J-Skull takes us down a shadowy yet fun road on bass while on the attack with dual vocals. Sugar Skull Explosion goes a slightly sludgy direction that’s choppy and droney on “Doll Brain.” Short and to the point is “Hallmark Holiday,” where they really bring the ruckus. “The Demon” takes the listener into garage-y horror-punk territory. E-Skull tightens up for a poppier rhythm on drums while J-Skull takes the lead on vocals sans the alternating vocals towards the end.
Perhaps the best song on the record goes to “I Don’t Want To,” an angst-riddled, rage-filled thrash punk song that could be ripped out of the lives of Sugar Skull Explosion. J-Skull busts out the heavy bass in a murky cloud as E-Skull smashes the hell out of her kit, both screeching out arguments that we’ve all been through. The band slows it down for “Question Everything,” a coming-of-age garage punk tune led by E-Skull on vocals that shows you can never be too young to despise any form authority takes on. The duo closes the album out fantastically with “Apocalypse,” a stripped-down nihilistic peace-punk song with tambourine in place of drums. J-Skull’s bass-playing on this one is reminiscent of Rudimentary Peni while E-Skull’s vocals flash back to Crass’ Penis Envy in an end-of-the-world fashion.
All in all, Zombie Party is a glorious addition to Sugar Skull Explosion’s punk catalog. Even more, this is a wonderful local punk record if not a marvelously pertinent punk album in general. If you haven’t been one of those incredibly fortunate people to have caught this band, it would be in your best interest to check out this record and, if you have the chance, their album release party. Sugar Skull Explosion is playing with Dog Party, Sneeze Attack and Diners on Thursday, July 28th at 51 West in Tempe.
~ Garyn Klasek
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