Skatch are a five piece from Birmingham, a trombone driven Pop Punk band playing exciting music that is great to sing along to. There is an amazing enthusiasm in this band and the emphasis here seems to be on the fun that the band are having in playing the music that they are. For fans of Ska and Pop Punk alike, Skatch are a band that are not to be missed as this EP really is quite special, especially when you take into account the fact that the band have done all this off their own back in funding and promoting this release.
There are five strong tracks here, however it is opener ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’, ‘Party My House?’, and closing track ‘Time Destroys All Things’ that really stand out for me. I think ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ is one that sticks in the memory for me as even though it is cold and grey outside – this track has filled me with summertime joy and thoughts of sunnier climes. Packed with some great verses and even better choruses, ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ will no doubt do the same for you as it did for me. I think the reason ‘Party, My House?’ stands out for me is due to the great use of the trombone here as I feel it really makes the track. Aside from the trombone this is as ever a great track from the band with strong vocals, and some great guitar work. Skatch certainly have a keen eye for penning a catchy track, showing this on five separate occasions here, and lets face it – five out of five isn’t bad at all.
Closing the EP with ‘Time Destroys All Things’ was a wise decision I feel as this ends the CD on a high – an exciting track complete with ‘woah-oh-oh’ sing-along vocals and once again that fine instrumental trombone work. This really is one of the bands finest moments and does leave you upset that the CD has come to an end after a mere five tracks. The band here prove their song writing skills to be of a strong standard and show great ability in a closing track which I will not be soon forgetting.
As this is just an EP, there are only five tracks here; however I would love to hear more from this band and would look forward to an album release from them in the not too distant future. Skatch are currently unsigned, however producing music as upbeat and exciting as this you would have thought that it is only a matter of time before they are snapped up by a label of some sort. Had this EP been recorded five years ago then there is no question as to whether or not they would have been signed by now as at the time the UK Ska Punk scene was thriving and would have loved for an EP of this sort, however while there is less of a demand for this sort of music now – the sad story is that Skatch are a band that remain unsigned even though this should not be so. While on this issue – if you happen to be from a record label/radio station, or you are a promoter then definitely make sure you check this band out as they are looking for people to help them put this EP out there to the masses and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rating:
UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.