Sk8 Or Die

Not In My Skatepark (2004)

Jesse Raub

Besides having the fruitiest album cover ever, they spell their name with the number eight. Two strikes against them already. But boy oh boy is this fun to listen to. Have you ever wanted to be in a band just to have something fun to do? That's basically the philosophy of this trio. Fast, power chord skate punk with metal/hardcore riffs tossed in every now and then that tends to get off tempo at times with the drums lines this album track after track. They come off as more of a joke band with lyrics either praising skateboarding, denouncing rollerblading, or telling you to get into the pit.

While it seems fairly cheesy, it's all very tongue-in-cheek. All the songs were recorded live with vocal overdubs. Song titles include: "Sk8 or Die is Go!" "Skate Youth," "Friends Don't Let Friends Rollerblade," and "Sk8 Hymn." I mean, c'mon, it's hard to take this band seriously, and I'm sure it's hard for them to take themselves seriously.

I can't help but love the concept, though. Three guys want to rock, so they do. They have a good time, and they don't let things like playing on time or not sucking get in their way. Kudos to these fine young gentlemen for keeping punk rock dirty, raw, and not about girls.

P.S. Sk8 Hymn is a parody of Pennywise's "Bro Hymn." Comic genius.