Six months ago, I might not have reviewed this. Then I saw Interrupters, and I saw a room full of people imbued with a positivity that I could only dream of, and I all of a sudden understood Ska-Punk in a way I never had before.
Which means that this got my attention more than it might have. The release pairs Philadelphia’s soul-ska outfit, Catbite with East Bay’s newest ska-punk trio Omnigone. It’s short, sharp fun, with a message. Just four songs. Nine minutes.
But there’s a twist. Catbite cover a song of Omigone, and “Horizontal Aggression” is much fun. A clenched fist, and when the line “one more time for the folks in the back, your civil rights are under attack” hits, you sense Brittany, the superb singer, means it. The suggestion of “lets stop the in-fighting” echoes something that The Hold Steady used to say, too, and maybe that’s something we all need to remember, right now?
Each band does a cover too. Catbite do “White Riot” but it sounds somehow happier than you’d imagine, but its cool.
For their Catbite song Omigone choose “Scratch Me Up”, and it’s heavier, a little more rebel rousing. Rancid instead of rocket From The Crypt, if you will. The bass lurks with a menace that suggests you get in their way at your own risk.
They formed from the ashes of Link 80. A legendary Philly Ska-punk band, so when they cover their anthem “Nothing New” it is a little odd to hear the new take.
A really interesting split EP, and one with a real message too, as it was originally intended to be the exclusive “Band Variant”, both bands have decided to sell their copies online and donate all proceeds to support the ongoing protest movements.
It’s worth buying even before the superb cause.
Rating 7.5/10
https://badtimerecords.limitedrun.com/products/670764-catbite-omnigone-split-7-neon-pink
