After returning to action at the end of the start of 2024 with RE:Generation, a new compilation of their material from the last decade, Manchester ska/punk/metal mash-up Sonic Boom Six have unveiled their video and cover version of Suicidal Tendencies’ hardcore/metal crossover classic ‘Institutionalized’. They debuted the song live during their recent tour of West Coast USA; the cover proved a perfect choice to break the ice and ignite circle pits among California’s thriving punk scene, including an appearance at Latino ska’s premier event, the Viejos Tiempos Ska Fest.
Recorded in early 2024 for Pookout Records’ new compilation Master Of Trumpets, ‘Institutionalized’ was recorded by SB6‘s own James Routh (aka Starstuff Music) and co-produced by the band. The track features guest alto saxophone from Sonic Boom Six co-founding member Ben Childs (Killbillies) and mixing duties by Elliot Vaughan (Frank Turner, [Spunge]). Master Of Trumpets features eleven metal covers from eleven ska bands from the UK and US, including Suicide Machines, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Redeemon.
Listen / D/L ‘Institutionalized’ on Bandcamp
Listen / D/L Master Of Trumpets on Bandcamp
“Although we play ska music, we’re also huge metal fans, so the Master of Trumpets compilation has been a pipedream for Pookout Records for years.” explains Pookout Records’ main man Pook. “When Sonic Boom Six told us which iconic track they’d like to tackle we knew it was going to be a highlight of the record, but their version of ‘Institutionalized’ – complete with signature Northern grit – smashed our expectations.”
Filmed, edited, produced and directed by ex-Kerrang! Radio DJ, former Scuzz TV presenter and Metal Hammer scribe, Matt Stocks, the plan to make a video for the track was hatched when Barney Boom (Vocals & Guitar) played Matt an early mix of the track before they attended a Green Day show in summer. “I’m always hesitant to tell a band that the best song they’ve ever done is a cover, but every now and again a cover crops up that’s so good, so interesting and different to the original, that it takes on a life of its own.” Matt states. “I believe that Sonic Boom Six’s cover of ‘Institutionalized’ is one of those songs.”
Matt immediately offered to remake the original track’s iconic music video, scene-for-scene, while replicating key locations and props to reflect the changes made to the lyrics. “I’ve never directed a music video before.” Matt admits. “But it’s been a lifelong dream to make one. And as soon as I heard this tune, I felt compelled to bring it to life. Much like how the band approached the song…”
Just as the Sonic Boom Six had reworked elements of the original track into their own musical style, they aimed to create a video that paid homage to S.T’s influence while retaining their trademark sense of humour. “The impact of the ‘Institutionalized’ video and that first classic S.T. album was massive to me in my teens” explains Barney. “And it sounds crazy now, but the first place I ever saw the video was on Beavis & Butthead! I would VHS tape the shows and watch them on repeat. Beavis talked incessantly over a lot of great hardcore punk, from Biohazard to Corrosion Of Conformity to – of course – Suicidal Tendencies, and I always got a lot of joy from it.”
With the videos iconic skateboard scenes emulated in London’s South Bank, the indoors scenes being filmed in Laila K (Vocals) and Barney’s homes, and the live portion of the video taking place in the close-knit punk hub of of The New Cross Inn, New Cross, London, the video was a group effort underpinned by DIY ethos of punk rock. “Shooting the video was an amazing experience,” Laila smiles, “working with Matt meant we could inject a lot of our own humour into it, especially having my friends Maddy and Mike play my mum and dad.”
Taking on the role of the father in the video (a role played in the original by none other than Eraserhead‘s Jack Nance) is music industry living legend Mike Chapman, producer of (along with countless other rock classics) Parallel Lines by Blondie, an all-time favourite and inspiration of SB6. “The band have produced an ingenious rendition of a classic song, which isn’t an easy thing to do” Mike says, “it holds its own with the original whilst keeping the classic SB6 sound so unique to them – It’s an honour to be in this video with my friends Sonic Boom Six“.
The video had a world premiere on Blank TV, the fiercely DIY punk YouTube Channel where the video for Suicidal Tendencies’ 1984 Frontiers Records original is hosted for posterity. “I hope that people new to our video can go and check out the original video and vice versa, and see the little changes we’ve made in the lyrics and the easter eggs in the video” says Laila, “I’m Laila K from Old Trafford, Manchester so replacing Pepsi with ‘a cuppa tea’ came naturally to me… once I was in character, I was able to channel the spirit of a small, brown, Northern, female Mike Muir!”
Sonic Boom Six are currently in the process of recording a new album with the same creative team as on this release and are looking for a label. Email enquiries welcome HERE.
‘Institutionalized’ and Master Of Trumpets hit digital streaming platforms on Friday October 18. Pre-save and stream HERE.
