The singles ‘Ego trip’ and ‘Better Than You’ from the new LP by The Bad Ups had really whetted my appetite for this album. Already considering myself a fan, I was looking forward to seeing more of what the Philadelphia four piece could offer. And I was not disappointed.
‘Life Of Sin’ is the band’s debut full length release- 11 tracks of punk rock with the occasional smattering of ska, reggae, oi and pop punk. Basically, combine all the best parts of the 90s punk and alternative scenes, update them and ensure that every track has a kickass melody behind it and you’ll pretty much have arrived at The Bad Ups sound.
The big theme of this release is pace- no track is more than 3 minutes long so you’ve gotta move with the band at some speed and it’s all over in way under 30 minutes. Because of this- and because each track is bloody good- it never overstays its welcome. You’re not gonna get bored but at the same time, you’re just gonna start to get the hang of a chorus so you can sing along and then BAM… you’re on to the next one. I guess that just necessitates multiple listens.
It is a testament to the band that the singles are not necessarily the strongest tracks on the album- the rest of the songs have all earned their place on ‘Life Of Sin’. There’s subtle versatility and moments where you feel the band have reached out to try something a little new and see where it lands- and every moment across these tracks seems to have paid off. But it also feels like the start of something- a band that are going to get better and tighter with each release.
‘Better Than You’ (the band’s most recent single) is the album opener and if you’re familiar with it then it starts us off on known territory. If not, it is pretty representative of the band’s vibe so a good taster. Next track ‘Dawg’ has a great bass line that propels the whole track forward, it’s another deceptively simple punk rock song with those buoyant guitar riffs that we all enjoyed in the 1990s and reminds us why this was such a great era of alternative music.
We step up the tempo a bit with ‘Underground’- the frayed, rough edge of McKayle’s distinctive vocals and gang-style chorus harmonies start to make you want to move a bit more as the album starts to expand out and deliver more of a punch.
Previous single ‘Ego Trip’ is another great nugget of spiralling riffs and raucous drums, slightly more complex with a varied pace and mini breakdowns. The track is, according to McKayle “about finding your place in the world while staying true to yourself”. Representative of the band’s position perhaps- staying true to a style that represents their authentic selves?
‘Paloma’ starts off feeling like the closest thing to a ballad we might get but any gentle start gives way to a more drinking-song/Boston punk feel.
‘Lowes’ ensures that you don’t get that mid-album dip- the pace is tight, frantic drumming kicks in early but there’s a little ska-esque break after the first verse, but you can’t dwell on that. There’s no time to waste, the band have already shot off to the next thing.
Some of my favourite moments come towards the end when the vibe and the mood shifts slightly. ‘Shoot For the Moon’ feels unexpectedly poignant and uplifting. And that vibe drifts into the next track too (‘Sweet N Low’) which is the song with the most ‘rock anthem’ potential.
We end on an acoustic, somewhat melancholy note with ‘NTB’ and it fits the gradual progression of ‘Life of Sin’ that showcases its experiments and versatility more as it goes on.
If you are a fan of the Epitaph/Fat Wreck energetic US punk of the 1990s/00s; and of the melody of early Lookout! Records then there’s nothing to dislike about this album. It is good, fun energy combined with lyrics on relationships, growing apart, self-responsibility, examining our place in the world and all those grown up things that sometimes just require a good punk album to get us through.
McKayle’s vocals can shift between a frazzled, man-o-the-world wise gruff, to a bouncy youthful teenage purity. His three bandmates- Chris Slaughter (Drums/Backing Vocals) Mike Dougherty (Guitar/Backing Vocals) and Sean Smith (Bass/Backing Vocals) all give a hand with the choruses and more than ably pull the whole enterprise together with tight musicianship.
The band were formed in 2018 in Philadelphia and have shared a stage with the likes of Bouncing Souls, The Adicts and Street Dogs.
It would be a travesty to sleep on this release and let it fall under your radar. It deserves to be blasted from your stereo and as it is only half an hour, you’ve got no time to lose!
‘Life Of Sin’ by The Bad Ups is out on 27th September via Jump Start Records. You can buy/listen HERE.
