If It's Too Loud...

"American Farts" might be a stereotypical ska-punk song title, but Detroit's The Boy Detective elevate their song by that title to new heights. The song (which is a reference to Piebald's "American Hearts" and even uses the "Hey! You're a part of it" from that song) is a fun and horn heavy song begging you to scream/sing along. The Boy Detective might be the pinnacle of the genre, and take a song called "American Farts" and make it respectable. Plus, the song leans more into the punk side of ska-punk, complete with great gang vocals. If you never left your first ska phase, or are also having a second ska phase midlife crisis, The Boy Detective are for you. Benny Capaul (vocals) says of his band's new single: “Sometimes you just want to take your partner out for a ride, crank up the stereo, roll down the windows and sing out your lungs. The little things, that’s all…” You can watch the video for "American Farts" below. Di...

Ska isn't known for being a serious genre. The third wave has given the genre a reputation of being silly and goofy, but the latest from The Boy Detective might change that. "Good Year" has all of the trappings of the infamous third wave of ska. It's right on the border of being skacore. It's fast, with shout along choruses and gang vocals that kick in at any time. But, the Detroit band have crafted a song about looking inward and working on yourself, which is most likely a first for the genre. It's a fun song with multiple tempo changes and a serious, and important message. In fact, "Good Year" might be the most fun pro-mental health anthem we've heard. The Boy Detective are quickly becoming one of our favorite modern ska bands. Vocalist Ben Capaul says of the new single: “Just when you thought that the person in the mirror can’t change for the best, The Boy Detective gives you a template for how to turn things around and have a…pretty good year...

Long Island punks Half Dizzy are back with a new single. "All or None" is a no nonsense punk rock track, with driving guitars and snarling vocals. There are also some of the finest gang vocals out there today, and a killer breakdown to boot. As aggressive as the song may be at times, there is an overwhelming feeling of positivity in the track. It's the kind of song that will get an audience all screaming vocals together, but more in a united way than an angry way. Every now and then a song comes out that reminds me of why I first fell in love with punk, and Half Dizzy are the kind of band to do it. Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Marchelewski says of his band's latest single: “This upbeat anthem looks back on the wild ride of youth, celebrating the challenges conquered and lessons learned along the way. It's a vibrant, feel-good anthem for anyone who's grown through struggle and came out stronger on the other side."  You can listen to "All or None" be...

The Boy Detective are quickly becoming our favorite Detroit ska punk band, and with "Beth Truss," they're sure to become yours, too. The horn heavy new single is filled with gruff vocals that edge more than a little bit into pop punk territory while still keeping just enough of an edge. This is the type of song practically begging to be screamed out loud at a show if you can stop dancing long enough to. One of the key ingredients of any genre of ska is for it to be fun, and "Beth Truss" is overflowing with fun. It takes all of the joy in both ska and pop punk and gives it back to the listener in handfuls. If you can get past your music snob past and/or present, you're going to love The Boy Detective. Vocalist Benny Capaul says of the band's latest single: “This ancient song was taken off the shelf, dusted off, and reformatted to sonically invoke singalongs and brain-eating choruses and gang vocals, in the only way The Boy Detective knows best.  You’ll fi...

New Jersey ska-punk trio Joker's Republic are back with a new single off their upcoming sophomore album. "Break the Cycle" isn't a traditional ska song, and is much more of a punk song, especially since Joker's Republic are without a horn section. But, as someone who discovered the genre in the 90's, "Break the Cycle" sounds perfect. This is a fun and upbeat track with a great punk style guitar solo. As with many of my personal favorite songs, Joker's Republic's latest may sound upbeat and bouncy, but the lyrics truly aren't (it is called "Break the Cycle," after all...) For those of us re-entering a new ska phase, or who never left their first, this one is going to be a lot of fun. Austen Gray (vocals and guitar) says of the band's latest single: “We're not really a 'traditional ska' kind of band, but we do like the music. 'Break The Cycle' tries to pay homage to the more 2 Tone sound while staying true ...

Hailing from Greenville, TX, Panther Revival are a hardcore punk trio that have a killer new single out. "Unreliable Narrator" is an incredibly heavy track that keeps barreling at you for three and a half minutes. Even if you're not typically into hardcore, this one is well worth your time. I'm particularly loving the guitar in this one, which is reminding me more of the heavier side of art/noise rock than you typically hear in music this heavy. This one is reminding me of Bad Religion meets Body Count, and it's making me wish my moshing days weren't far behind me. Kennedy Rice (vocals/guitar) says of his band's new single: “I wrote this song last year, and it has sadly only become more lyrically relevant as time has gone on,”  says vocalist and guitarist  Kennedy Rice .  “This is us calling out the powers-that-be who misuse their reach by trying to sanitize our collective history.” You can listen to "Unreliable Narrator" below. The single is out...

Part of my mid-life crisis appears to be a second ska phase. That works perfectly for the latest from The Boy Detective. The Detroit band just released "To the Wanton Will of a Harlot's Hand," a high energy ska-punk track that is reminiscent of the third wave of ska in the 90's. If anything, this new track from The Boy Detective is a little more rough than what we used to hear thirty years ago. It seems to land somewhere between the ska-core of Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the more polished sound of Reel Big Fish. Yet, "To the Wanton Will of a Harlot's Hand" never quite feels like a throwback. Perhaps this could be the harbinger of a much predicted fourth wave we seem to be overdue for. Benny Capaul (vocals) says of the band's new single: "To the wanton will of a harlot’s hand - is an expression of self- sabotage through relationships and failed second chances. A humanistic depiction of depression and heartache. 'I'm not a martyr this was...

Maybe because it's because I went to a bunch of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Hometown Throwdowns, but I oddly associate ska-punk with Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Boy Detective are here to help me out with their latest holiday single, "I Renounce Verdukianism!" The song gets it's title from a made up religion from 30 Rock , and it's a fast and funny track about the chaos that comes with the holidays. It's definitely leaning into the punk side of ska-punk, and is just a fun song about Christmas. If you grew up in the midst of third wave ska, "I Renounce Verdukianism!" is going to resonate with you. Lead vocalist Benny Capaul says that his band's new song is "...  our nod to the holidays gone wrong, packed with all the regrets and frosty mishaps one could hope for.” You can watch the lyric video for "I Renounce Verdukianism!" below. The single is out now on Punkerton Records. For more on The Boy Detective, check out the ...

Last week we brought you the new Halloween song from Half Dizzy, and this week we're bringing you the second side of that split 7". "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" is from Detroit's The Boy Detective. Much like The Faceless, this side features guest appearances: J. Navarro from The Suicide Machines supplying vocals and Eric Abbey from J. Navarro and the Traitors on keys. "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" is a chilled out ska track... at least until the end when the speed and noise speeds up into a ska-punk burst. As with any ska song, The Boy Detective have delivered a fun song, and one with a pretty sly sense of humor. This is perfect for a Halloween song, and even pulls off the spooky vibe even without the lyrical content. You can listen to "For the Record, I'm Not a Cannibal Anymore" below. The 7" will be out on Punkerton Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on The Boy Detective, c...

Half Dizzy is a ska-punk band out of Long Island, NY. Their latest single is part of a Halloween themed split 7" with The Boy Detective. Half Dizzy's contribution is "The Faceless, which features Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers providing vocals and Jess Debellis of Skapossitory (either the best or worst ska band name of all time) on organ. A ska-punk Halloween song is a perfect fit, and "The Faceless" is as much fun as it should be. It's a bouncy and gruff song that is going to demand dancing from the audience. Seriously, if you can't enjoy this one, you just hate all joy and fun. The song is just pure Halloween song perfection, and aside from that, it's just a killer ska song. Dan Marchelewski says of his band's new single: "The song began as a simple spooky ska idea back in 2022. It evolved into a gripping thriller about a fictional nameless government agency chasing the listener. With input from everyone in the band, we crafted some of our b...