Skamp Zine, which started in the summer of 2013 when a few punx in PHX discussed starting a DIY zine, relocated to PHL in the fall of 2017. The number of interested supporters and writers for Skamp is rising. Skamp stands for ska, Americana, metal and punk. That's exactly what we wanna cover. Coming to you straight from the chill Filthadelphia underground.
Philly folk punker Joe Jack Talcum (member of Dead Milkmen) performs Narcan benefit before touring in support of new EP Over the Moon.
Over the Moon kicks off with dark folk song "All Fall Down". Talcum swoons the listener with his enthrallingly melodic approach on guitar. "Anxiety" nips on its heels with its surfy folk punk vibes. The poppy bass swaggers along to the tremolo of the guitar while sprinkling some stirring guitar solos throughout.
Talcum follows this up with bluesy folk rocker "Angelo". The drums propel through while the keys entice with some soothing harmonica and keyboard solos scattered amidst. Eponymous with the album is blues folk tune "Over the Moon", which definitely feels like a representative track here. The guitar is spellbinding, accompanied by fluttering harmonica, alongside Talcum's wavering yet unwaveringly anchored vocals. Over the Moon is a sensational romp into some candid territory despite maintaining the whimsical nature of Joe Jack Talcum.
Joe Jack Talcum plays the Operation In My Back Yard fundraiser at Connie's Ric Rac in Philly on February 8th with folk punker Erin Incoherent, Kurt Russell-themed noise metal band The Russells and NJ horrorpunks The Mary Lous.
Brooklyn cabaret circus punx World/Inferno Friendship Society hit the road again in support of their latest full-length effort All Borders are Porous to Cats.
World/Inferno kicks off All Borders are Porous to Cats with upbeat soul punk song "Bad Penny Blue". The horns blast off immediately between trumpet players Rafael Calderon and sax man Aaron Hammes while drummer Mora Precarious swiftly swings through, laying down some marching snare and guitarist Frank Morin slaying it with a guitar solo that's reminiscent of The Toy Dolls. Soul cabaret track "Having a Double Life is Hard" shows off the alternating vocal talents of singer Jack Terricloth and bassist Sandra Malak amidst a sea of solos by Morin, violinist Jeffrey Young and Philly comrade/keyboardist Matthew Landis.
The band continues the chaos with cabaret punk tune "The Cat in the Hat has a Right to Sing the Blues". Keyboardist Scott Hollingsworth and accordion player Franz Nicolay pop out, surrounded by all sorts of unbridled lunacy, including Precarious cutting loose on drums. Soul punk ditty "Looks Like Blood but it's Probably Wine" explores the skills of Morin's guitar and Malak's bass, as well as her harmonious accompaniment to Terricloth.
The album closes out with dark soul punk jammer "Freedom is a Wilderness Made for You and Me". This experimental track delves into the flair of Hollingsworth on keys and Malak on bass, as well as the trumpet of Calderon and the sax of Hammes. All Borders are Porous to Cats is a marvelous recording that not only displays the aptitude of W/IFS but also parades their lack of fear to encroach upon new musical territory. Keep a close lookout for World/Inferno Friendship Society tour dates, as the spectacle of their performances are not to be missed.
The World/Inferno Friendship Society play January 25th at Boot & Saddle, located at 1131 South Broad Street in Philly with VA punkgrass band Gallows Bound and local punkers The P'ids.
Philly darkwave synthpunk project 7th Victim (member of Dead Milkmen) headlines Punk News Sonic Attack after one year anniversary of conjuring Giallo.
7th Victim reflects the mood of Giallo with dark minimalist synthpunk track "Hillbilly with a Meat Cleaver". While electronics master Rodney Anonymous procures the eerily chilling soundtrack, vocalist Janet Bressler summons the spirit of proto-punk and post-punk. The band elevates the energy with electronic darkwave song "Her Name is Witch". Anonymous expertly blends dancy beats with his macabre music.
7th Victim keeps the dance party going with minimalist electronic jam "Don't Go Outside and NEVER Talk to Anybody". Bressler shimmers, exuding her vocal talents and capabilities. They close out the album with electronic synthpunk tune "Kleptoid". Anonymous sets the pace between his funktified music and rhythmic beats while Bressler levels the listener with her freestyling rap about the band's tongue-in-cheek monumental history. Giallo is a simplistically complex recording that is both serious and fun. If the music of 7th Victim is any indication, this is definitely the kind of project that can attract crowds from all walks of life and project a performance that nobody would want to miss.
7thvictim.bandcamp.com/album/giallo-3
7th Victim plays Punk News Sonic Attack at Creep Records, located at 1050 N. Hancock St. in Philly, on Nov. 23rd with Philly ska punks Catbite, NJ's Christoph Jesus (Crazy & the Brains) and Philly punk rockers Vixen77.
Brooklyn cabaret circus punx World/Inferno Friendship Society revamp Just the Best Party before trouncing through the Northeast and into the Midwest.
The World/lnferno Friendship Society have been in a league of their own for going on almost 25 years now, following their debut album just over five years after they formed with the classic Just the Best Party. This collective gang combines various music forms including cabaret, soul and punk with Eastern European history and anarchist thought in such a way that transports the listener back to another era while firmly rooting us into the dirt and soil of the modern world. They are far from any dull attempt at philosophy as lead singer Jack Terricloth woos crowds with his poetic lyricism, raging politics and fantastic flair for showmanship. Skamp Zine had the chance to interview Terricloth about the revolutionized Just the Best Party, the upcoming World/Inferno tour and other surprises the band has in store.
"Secret Service Freedom Fighting U.S.A."
Just the Best Party
The World/Inferno Friendship Society seems very proud to have remastered and reissued Just the Best Party. Did y'all have fun coming back to such a classic album?
Well, pride is a sin! So yeah we did enjoy it. It was a very strange experience seeing all the old band members again alongside the current line up. so I enjoyed that too. It was a bit of a mind flip...
Not only has the band redone the album cover art but you all put out some new t-shirt designs. Do you think you need more of a creative outlet at the moment or is this part and parcel by now?
I think it has been universally agreed upon that the original artwork was dreadful. At the time we couldn’t agree on anything so we just chose “blue”. A perfect example of democracy not working.So we used the cover of one of our european EPs from the period that was never released in the U.S. Plus, there weren’t as many opinions this time. Yes, I am endorsing Fascism.
Is the band excited to hit the road through the northeast and midwest?
Any opportunity to get out of the house and fight my encroaching agoraphobia! I’m staring out the window at yard cats like an old woman (actually, I’m in a bar but I did pick one that is always empty).
Photos Courtesy of W/IFS
Are y'all stoked for the Punk News Summer Soiree in Philly?
Of course! Always had a good time in Philly. As baby punk rockers, we used to commute to shows there all the time: Ruin, Scram, F.O.D., Pagan Babies. Good scene in Philly. And Punk News is my first choice for punk news so always happy to help.
Obviously, after your upcoming tour and the energy you've put into Just the Best Party, World/Inferno would likely need to recharge their batteries. Will you all have much opportunity for that with Hallowmas coming up around the bend?
In a word, “no” but you know, the First Law of Thermodynamics: "Objects in motion tend to stay in motion while objects at rest tend to stay at rest." We gotta stay in motion like a shark.
It seems like the band might be pulling out all the stops for this particular Hallowmas. Can you tell us much at this point about what to expect from Hallowmas this year without giving away too much fun?
Just a small hint: it takes place in 2019.
You all certainly aren't hiding one fantastic surprise regarding Hallowmas being your next album release bash. Is there much to say at this point about the new album, whether about the theme(s), music, and/or politics if much is known right now?
It’s about the immigration crisis in the form of a giant talking cat trying to avoid being deported whom a bunch of punks let hide in their house. The music is really quite remarkable as well. I really get to croon.
Not that everything The World/Inferno Friendship Society is working on presently and in the near future isn't amazing and likely exhausting but, beyond the upcoming tour, parties, Hallowmas and yet another fantastic album in the works, does the band have anything else planned further out?
We’ll be on tour around the planet for two years, catch our breaths and then do the whole thing again with a panache and determination not found by many, to the benefit of punk rockers and dry cleaners all over this world, which was made for you and me.
worldinferno.com
The World/Inferno Friendship Society plays the PunkNews Summer Soiree on August 3rd at PhilaMOCA, located at 531 North 12th Street in Philly with folk punker Joe Jack Talcum, punk rockers Street Vengeance and hardcore punks Trash Knife.
Minneapolis rocksteady ska band The Prizefighters jab through the midwest and northeast in support of their latest studio full length album Firewalk.
Images courtesy of The Prizefighters
Firewalk kicks off with smooth soul-heavy rocksteady song "Just Let the Music Play". The saxophone of Courtney Klos flutters and Jordan Porter's bass playfully strides throughout while brother Aaron Porter lays down sweet vocals accompanied by gang vocal harmonies reminiscent of that sixties R&B flavor. The Prizefighters pick it up on the following rocksteady ska track "You'll Never Know". Drummer Eric Whalen takes the lead rockin' out some tight ska-jazz as trombonist Tony Beaderstadt uplifts the spirit.
The band focuses on street violence and social unrest on rocksteady reggae tune "Temper Running Hot". Jorge Gil steals the show on keys while Aaron rocks the rhythm on guitar as Klos and Beaderstadt lay down some lovely solos on the horns. They keep the soulful rocksteady groovin' on their attack on white supremacists in the streets, "Stop Them". Aaron gets downright funky noodling on guitar and accentuating his brother Jordan, who gets fierce and poppy on bass, while Aaron vocalizes with gang harmonies that "we've gotta put them back in the ground and hang out their sheets". The Prizefighters make it clear that, not only is Firewalk one of the best ska albums put out this year, they are easily one of the top contenders for the best ska bands out there right now.
theprizefighters.bandcamp.com/album/firewalk
The Prizefighters hit the Philly area on July 31st at War3house 3, located at 100 Park Avenue in Swarthmore with Philly ska punk rockers Catbite.
Northern WA Americana/folk punk rocker Danbert Nobacon (ex-Chumbawamba) liberates Woebegoner with Miranda Zickler and The Bad Things prior to his West-East tour.
Woebegoner kicks off with dirgy Americana sea shanty "Blow the Man Down." Bassist Austin Quist and accordionist Jimmy Berg set the wavy tone while banjo player Gregory Miles lays down some sweet melodies as Nobacon and Zickler sweeps the listener into a sea of beautiful vocal harmonies. The band continues by livening up the energy on Americana rocker "Johnny Woebegone". Drummer Steve Kamke wails out the beat as Quist swings out an airy rhythm with some excellent piano tickling from Kamke.
"Ramblin' Man/Old Devil Gasoline" shows the record heading a more country punk direction. Nobacon and Miles lay down some fantastic rhythm and melody between the acoustic and electric slide guitars while Kamke throws down some marvelous drumming. Rockin' Americana track "Lilithiana Red" keeps the energy flowing delightfully. Berg enchants on accordion while Quist thumps out a powerful bassline and Miles plucks away on banjo dreamily.
Americana country jam "Evolution 9.01" mellows down Woebegoner yet stands out brilliantly and hilariously. Kamke lightens the mood intriguingly on drums as Miles brings some gorgeous melody on banjo and Beau Herbert drops some lovely mandolin. Nobacon and Zickler deliver humorous yet witty lyrics like "we curse the return of the laughing policeman with every adaptive fiber in our breathing bodies" between back and forth vocal banter and harmonies.
"Long Black Train" is a mesmerizing Americana country punk song. Miles haunts on banjo amidst all sorts of interesting vocals contributing train whistles, raspy blues punk howls and harmonies from Nobacon, Zickler and crew as Berg creeps in with some chilling organ. Woebegoner is a fresh and breathtaking album that shows just how far Danbert Nobacon has come as a songwriter while combining that with the extraordinary chemistry he has with Miranda Zickler and The Bad Things, be it now or ten years ago when they began their studio endeavor.
danbertnobacon-axis.bandcamp.com
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Danbert Nobacon returns on June 1st to play Creep Records, located at 1050 North Hancock Street in Philly, alongside Kira Wood Cramer, supporting NYC crack rocksteady legend Stza Crack with Philly thrash punx Roadkiller and NJ anti-folk punkers Crazy & The Brains.
DC rocksteady ska ensemble Eastern Standard Time (EST) returns to the studio with their first full length album in 15 years entitled Time for Change.
The music of EST has evolved incredibly since 1995. How the band has crafted their self described Caribbean Beat sound that combines ska, jazz, rocksteady, and Latin flavors has been seen firsthand by fans around our nation's capital. Since 2004, the band has released only a handful of songs, such as “The Dragon” and a couple songs released on compilations. In that time, EST has stayed semi-active doing the occasional US tour, European excursion, and backing various artists, including Dr. Ring Ding. At Supernova Ska Fest in 2016, the band backed the legendary Derrick Morgan.
Time for Change opens up with a call to action on the title track. The lyrics delve into various topics including a return to the dancefloor, social justice (including Black Lives Matter), and a plea for peace. The next track is a ska-jazz instrumentalala The Skatalites called “Totem Pole.” This tune showcases the amazing horn section of EST including sax man Morgan Russell. The opening songs provide a blueprint for the rest of the album. The band jumps from topical to tender love songs: a characteristicthat began since the early days of Jamaican music where artists wrote songs that spoke about issues like Jamaican Independence (see “Forward March” by Derrick Morgan) to songs about love (“Sweet and Dandy” by Toots and the Maytals).
Throughout this album, many of the songs recall what Eastern Standard Time does best by infusing soulful lyrics on top of finely crafted Jamaican infused melodies. “Lovely in Mad” is a true ska love song with a catchy organ melody written by trombonist Alex Powers and lead singer/percussionist Unikue Peace. Peace's vocals on this tune are infectious, harrowing back to the classic 1960’s style of Jackie Opel and Justin Hinds. “Hayati” is a song about love lost and heartbreak. The band sets the perfect rocksteady infused groove provided by drummer James McDonald, bassist Reid Attaway, and keyboardist Bill Dempsey. “Left for Dead” is another upbeat love song with a catchy chorus that's hook accented by drums. The song showcases Powers with a killer trombone solo.
The band returns to the topic of social justice with a groovy reggae cover of Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come.” This fits perfectly with the title track and the direction of the album. On the second side of the LP, the band includes a number of covers including Maxwell’s “Pretty Things”, Alton Ellis’ “People Get Ready”, and The Shirelles “Thing of the Past” (also covered by Phyllis Dillon). These covers demonstrate how EST can float around genres including modern R&B, soul, and classic ska/rocksteady. My favorite track on the album is “Sugar Shack”, which jumps around from singing to toasting. Guitarist Zachary Cutler throws in some modern reggae melodies that align well with the toasting/reggae backing vocals. Even the horns are catchy, making the listener just want to move and groove.
Overall, Time for Change is essential listening for all who have enjoyed Eastern Standard Time in the past yet is the perfect jumping off point for new fans. The album demonstrates how a band can masterfully swerve between genres, crafting timely tunes to get people dancing, and infusing meaningful messages while paying respect to the past.
easternstandardtime.bandcamp.com
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Eastern Standard Time are throwing their album release party, The Capital Ska & Reggae Review, on May 24th at Songbyrd, located at 2475 18th Street NW, in Washington, DC.
Philly powerpop ska band Catbite (ex-The Snails/Dull Blue Lights, Posers and The Up Up Ups) sink their teeth into This is Croydon Fest 2 and open for The Slackers before unleashing their debut S/T album on May 7th.
Catbite kicks off with rockin' powerpop ska track "Come on Baby". Drummer Chris Pires and keyboardist Brittany Luna take the helm while guitarist Tim Hildebrand releases a furious solo. The band mellows down on R&B flavored rocksteady tune "Can't Give You Love", which is the latest single that they made a music video for. Johnny Mick lays down one groovy bassline while Hildebrand rocks out on guitar with Luna stealing the show on vocals as Matamoska's Esteban Flores Valenzuela takes over on keys.
Catbite picks it up with their first single, powerpop ska song "Amphetamine Delight". Drummer Pires pounds out the beat as guitarist Hildebrand shreds out the rhythm and slays with a solo while Luna and Hildebrand lay down some killer dual vocals. The album closes out with catchy powerpop ska anthem "Scratch Me Up". Luna throws down some wicked keys with Mick's upbeat bass skills as both Hildebrand and Luna level the jam with some sick guitar and keyboard solos. Catbite is one standout ska album that exceeds expectations with a perfect blend of ska, rocksteady, R&B, rock and even dub, delivered with punk ferocity. Watch out for Catbite as they continue to pounce around the country and into our minds.
catbite.bandcamp.com
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Catbite is playing This is Croydon Fest 2 at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, located at 909 Ray Avenue in Croydon, PA on May 4th and with NYC ska band The Slackers and Philly ska band Ruder Than You at World Cafe Live, located at 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA.
Baltimore punky reggae rockers The Scotch Bonnets, who've worked with HR from Bad Brains and Roddy Radiation of The Specials, release Come on Over for their ten year anniversary while touring across country.
Come on Over kicks off with sixties R&B-styled ska track "Another Saturday Night", with some impressive saxophone by David Hillyard and Pablo Fiasco's keys standing out, along with a fantastically rockin' guitar solo by Kristin Forbes. The Scotch Bonnets keep the traditional ska flavor going with "Hair Did". This is one tight song between Names Thompson's drums and Dan Breen's bass, as well as the killer vocals of Forbes and MC Selah, plus a terrific sax solo from Hillyard.
The band simmers down on rocksteady jam "Blank Stare". Breen's bassline and Fiasco's key tickling really sizzle here with a stripped down feel that isn't lacking in the least, with a dub groove standing out on Thompson's percussion and Forbes' guitar. The album closes out excellently on R&B/rocksteady tune "We Can't All Be Astronauts". Fiasco's keys and Breen's bass dominate while the drumming of Thompson and dual vocals set the mood here, whether it's Forbes' sixties harmonies or Selah's dub flair. Come on Over is certainly a top contender (if not the top contender) in a sea of ska albums being released this year. This is no freak occurrence: The Scotch Bonnets might just be what fans are looking for who love the sounds of amazing Jamaican-influenced dynamos such as The Slackers or Hepcat.
thescotchbonnets.bandcamp.com/album/come-on-over
facebook.com/events/169215633985394
The Scotch Bonnets play War3house 3, located at 100 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, PA outside of Philadelphia, on May 3rd with Philly Reggae Girls.
Memphis country-punk rockers Lucero embark on a cross-country tour, and enter Canada, supporting their latest full-length album Among the Ghosts.
Courtesy of Lucero
Lucero kicks off their most recent endeavor with eponymous rockin’ epic country track “Among the Ghosts”. It stands out hauntingly between the delicate yet brash guitars of Ben Nichols and Brian Venable plus the breathtaking keyboards of Rick Steff, as well as the marvelously memorable vocals of Nichols. The band takes a dark turn on punk-spirited country rocker “Everything Has Changed”. Bassist John Stubblefield delivers a mellow yet melodic bassline while drummer Roy Berry pummels out a steady beat as Nichols informs the listener that “somewhere down in Hell, they call my name”.
Lucero heads down an intriguing path with epic country ballad “Long Way Back Home”, which Jeff Nichols (Ben's brother) made an eponymous short film around featuring Michael Shannon. Nichols and Venable conjure some mystifying guitars while Steff provides atmospherically somber keyboards. The album closes by picking up the pace on country-punky rock tune “For the Lonely Ones”. Keyboardist Steff uplifts on this song as Nichols and Venable soar, playing high-spirited guitars alongside some soulful saxophone. Among the Ghosts smacks of Lucero's early energy while trailblazing forward momentum for the band that throws back to the country and Motown that has surely influenced them.
luceromusic.bandcamp.com
Lucero plays The Fillmore, located at 29 East Allen Street in Philadelphia, with L.A. Celtic folk punk rockers Flogging Molly on February 23rd.
Philly thrashin’ hardcore pogo punx Fucksake discharge The Fuck Tape, continuing their nearly two year quest, having already graced the stage with acts like Some Kind of Nightmare, The Droogettes and even U.S. Bombs.
Images courtesy of Fucksake
Fucksake lets loose on The Fuck Tape via hardcore punk rock track “Anxiety”. Muppet opens with a sweet bassline before Earl busts out some tight drumming accompanied by Muppet’s twisted vocals. “No Strings Attached” unleashes the band's nihilistic hardcore punk fury. Ruza shreds out on guitar as Muppet leads the way on bass, declaring “war with the world”. Fucksake brings the brutality with hardcore thrash metal tune “Nazi Scum”. Earl attacks his drum kit while Ruza rips it up on guitar. This album boils down to the ability of Fucksake to expose their drive and talent for coalescing hardcore, punk, and thrash to the delight of punks and metalheads alike.
fucksake.bandcamp.com/album/the-fuck-tape
Fucksake plays the New Year's Eve Eve Eve Punk Rock Piss-Up on December 29th at Century, located at 1350 South 29th Street in South Philly with Trenton punk rockers Doc Rotten, Philly street punk rockers The Lot, NJ punk rockers Houston and the Dirty Rats and Philly Americana country punks Side Pocket Louie.
TX murder folk act Amigo the Devil descends across country in support of his new studio album Everything is Fine.
Amigo the Devil, AKA Danny Kiranos, kicks things off with dark folk ballad “Cocaine and Abel”. The piano and soulful vocals pull the listener in mesmerizingly. Gothic alternative country track “You're Perfect Too” picks up some astonishing steam. The cool guitars and raucous drumming almost crash through before pulling back beautifully. Kiranos simmers down on alternative Americana folk song “Hell and You”. The light banjo is fantastically balanced by the tone set by the bass.
Images Courtesy of Amigo the Devil
Amigo the Devil enchants with Gothic country cabaret tune “Hungover in Jonestown”. The slide guitar works incredibly well the drums. Epic alternative indie rocker “Everyone Gets Left Behind” is pleasantly thrown into the mix. The poppy drumming and keys feed off of each other. The album closes out with stripped down dark folk jam “Stronger Than Dead”. The guitar and vocals delicately interweave into a glorious splendor. Everything is Fine is a breathtakingly marvelous record that leaves the listener yearning to see what Amigo the Devil throws down onstage.
amigothedevil.com
Amigo the Devil is currently touring all over the U.S. and Canada before heading overseas to the UK.
VA Appalachian bluegrass punks Gallows Bound unleash Appalachian Witch, touring the east coast, the south and Canada supporting Swingin’ Utters.
Images courtesy of Gallows Bound
Gallows Bound sets the tone for Appalachian Witch with “Empty Flask/Empty Heart”. Banjo player Justin Carver stands out with his speedy, melodic bluegrass punk picking accompanied by Rob Schultz’ tight, quick drumming. This is followed by Americana punk track “Shake”. Vocalist/guitarist Jordan Joyes really gets cooking here by way of voice, as well as both her and vocalist/guitarist Jesse Markle laying down some sweet rhythm and lead guitar.
The band continues with bluegrass punk song “Broken Glass”, starting off dulcet as upright bassist Aaron Blow and Carver take the helm. Then, the band takes off full force, masterfully and posthaste. Epic Americana punk tune “Appalachian Witch” is next and seems to deliver the overall mood of this record. Markle takes the lead vocally with beautiful harmonies from Joyes as the ensemble builds up and busts out relentlessly. Despite the fact that Appalachian Witch is an EP and therefore short, it not only packs the expected punch of what’s expected from this band but it does it stylistically and grandiosely. The only downside is that it leaves the listener salivating for more. Luckily for us, Gallows Bound is frequently found on the road, catering to the sweet tooth of their fans and lovers of Americana, bluegrass and punk alike.
Gallows Bound plays Connie’s Ric Rac, located at 1132 S. 9th St in South Philadelphia, on Saturday, October 20th at 8 PM with the following locals: folk/country punkers The TC Cole Riot, Americana folkers The Cheddar Boys and Americana/country punks Side Pocket Louie. - Garyn Klasek
