Voodoo Glow Skulls

Live in Denver (2016)

Julie River

The common criticism of Voodoo Glow Skulls is that, while they are above average musicians, frontman Frank Casillas is a below average lyricist. While this may be a valid criticism, it's one that holds more bearing on their studio work than it does on their live shows, where the lyrics are almost completely inaudible. In a live show, their musical chops come to the forefront of the performance. The band’s Latin music influence gives them a very unique place in the genre, but what really seems to set Voodoo Glow Skulls apart from the crowd is the frenetic pace with which they perform their patented Latin, ska, punk blend. And boy, does that breakneck speed get cranked up even higher in their live show.

A very brief note about the opening acts: None of the opening bands were nationally known bands, but rather were all local Denver bands. This included Three Grams, The Repercussions, and local favorites, The Potato Pirates, whose logo can be found on the back of almost every punk’s denim jacket in Colorado, and who seem to open for every punk show in town. The openers were such generic punk bands and were so unremarkable that I often found myself more interested in the closed captioned Futurama episodes playing on the bar’s television. Still, kudos to Voodoo Glow Skulls for promoting local punk in the city they were touring in.

The bilingual nature of the band was brought to the forefront when they played the song “Shoot the Moon” from their album Firme, which was famously released in both English and in Spanish, and switched from the English version to the Spanish version halfway through. For a genre that's descended from Jamaica, third-wave ska tends to be shockingly white, and whenever Casillas switches languages, it's a refreshing reminder that Voodoo Glow Skulls aren't just another group of white boys playing reggae.

If the band does get a lot of criticism for their weak and, at times, juvenile lyrics, Castillas doesn't act like it, belting out every tune with supreme confidence, all the while looking like Frank Black with his sunglasses inexplicably still on indoors during a nighttime show.

For better or worse, there is no other band on the scene right now quite like Voodoo Glow Skulls, whose concert feels more like a party on the border between California and Tijuana than it does a traditional punk rock show, despite all of the Mohawked fans in attendance. Whether or not you count yourself as a Voodoo Glow Skulls fan, do yourself a favor and make sure that you experience their live show at least once in your life.