Compact DISCovery

Jaimie Vernon

Skullians
Pure
Independent

Growing tired of the Britneys, the Beyonces and the Beibers? How about settling in with a bona fide walk through old school 2nd generation punk from The Skullians? Their 10 track sonic assault is a welcome reprieve from the sterile, faceless, groove less, melange that is 21st Century corporate pop music. I'm not talking about a retro flashback here, either.

The Skullians' 'Pure' is hip and happening and 'now' and could easily have been recorded in my living room yesterday. It's immediate and in your face. It would make a good companion disc to Pickering's Swindled who released 'It's Only Peace That You Want...' last year. Where Swindled tread the political spectrum, The Skullians are all about life in the not-so-fast lane.

The album kicks off with a rolling 'n' ruckus anthem in "Doomsville" about the crushing negative cloud permeating the news and the world in general. It's 1:11 of pure, unfettered energy. "Welcome to...welcome to...welcome to....Doomsville/Population US!!" Singer and guitarist Evan delivers the message with aplomb.

By comparison The Sex Pistolesque "So Low" - a clever play on words about the sexually frustrated going 'solo', is a sonic train wreck which teeters on the rails with Greg's drumming (no last names for these punks) that isn't quite 'on'. But the beauty is that it's juxtaposed against a catchy melodic guitar solo courtesy of Candice and the whole damm gang of hooligan singing the choruses and screaming the requisite "Hey! Hey! Hey!".You can't help but yell along.

"Heatscore" cranks the speed up a notch and then again when Candice takes over the vocals on "Black Eyes" which treads into Speedcore territory. She does an even better turn on "Last Call" which reminds one of the best Black Flag and Exploited party tracks. The rest of the band trades off vocals on alternating verses.

"Landsdowne & Bloor" gives us a third vocalist in Mike the bassist (I believe as Greg the drummer apparently sings too!) and another anthem to chant along to. The local Toronto subject makes the band all the more accessible cause this reviewer has spent many a dingy bar hop playing piss holes and rehearsing in dumps at that very intersection. "Amesbury Park" could easily be a Part 2 to this track (same vocalist).

The best track on the disc is easily "M.A.T.T." ("Moderation All the Time") which might be this band's closest step towards a commercial break-through track. It has hooks, melodic harmonies in the chorus and the song is under three minutes long. Radio likes K-Tel edits...The Skullians deliver that without having to compromise content by editing anything.

If you've got a penchant for The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Exploited, The Germs and Circle Jerks, The Skullians are for you!