Wiccans - Teenage Cults 7" [2010] & Skullduggery LP [2011]

Denton, Texas' finest at the moment. Members of various Texan bands (Wax Museums, Minds Spiders, Video, Teenage Cool Kids...) have teamed up and created something pretty unique and refreshing. There's a lot of catchy hooks and melody, which is basically a trademark of the garage punk scene in Denton. However, the Wiccans vocalist seems to be pretty much into tough guy hardcore, so his over-the-top macho Negative Approach\YDI-style yelling is something quite atypical. At first I was confused, but now I can't get enough of this band. Also, the lyrics are covering some occult themes, which is uncommon for this sort of punk rock.

There's a 2nd Wiccans LP titled "Field II" in the works. Should be out soon on both Katorga Works (run by Adam & Colman who are also posting at the ever-amazing icoulddietmorrow blogspot) (USA) and Hardware Rec. (Europe). The new Wiccans songs are incredibly good and you can preview a few gems from "Field II" here. If Fucked Up were not that boring on the last few recordings, they might compete with these Texan crazies. There’s even some Blue Oyster Cult vibe in the “Field II” song, or maybe I’m just to much into BOC lately, so I'm hearing Buck Dharma riffs everywhere? And yeah, I almost forgot, there's also a 2nd Wiccans 7" EP in the works and should be out on Kevin's Pass Judgement Records. Kevin put out their 1st 7", Teenage Cults, and he is doing one of my fav blogs, Fashionable Activism, so thumbs up for Kevin.

Buy Teenage Cults 7" via Pass Judgement Rec.
Buy Skullduggery LP via Katorga Works
Preorder Field II via Hardware Rec. or wait for the USA press on Katorga.

Teenage Cults 7"
Skullduggery LP

M.

Skate Korpse - Skate Korpse Discography LP [2007]

Skate Korpse were insane skate punk trio reminiscent of days when skate punk was actually played by punx and was not all about Vans Warped Tour and shitty Epitaph Lagwagon alikes. Only band similar to SK that comes to my mind right at the moment are Angry Samoans but SK fellas are also heavily influenced by surf rock. There's a bunch of instrumental stuff thats totally reminiscent of surf pioneers Chantays. The guys quit playing and this record is sold out but hopefully Feral Kid Rec. will repress this. This LP collects all of their 7" EP's and songs from splits, compilations and some unreleased tracks.

MF

M.

Santa Banana - Santa Banana LP [2010]

This guys came from Italy and are from the same retro hardcore punk scene as fuck-ups such as La Piovra, Smart Cops, Ban This!, ED and Anti-You. In fact, I think some Ban This!\ED members are playing in SB but I'm not sure. This record is somehow overlooked but it's pretty solid. If you're into 80's classic italian hardcore punk, USHC skate trashers JFA / Faction or surf rock influenced punk you should give it a try. I really like garage-y production and crunchy guitar sound on this one. There's new 7" EP in works and should be out on Don't Need Rec. I had a privilege to hear the new gems and they are all killer no filler. If you like almighty La Piovra (Youth Attack put out their LP out in the States) you'll dig the new Santa Banana stuff.

Buy S\T LP and watch for the new 7" EP here.
All you americans can get your copies via Grave Mistake Records here.

MF

M.