Hear Austin Punks Skeleton Unleash Crusty D-Beat Assault on New Song "War" | Revolver

Hear Austin Punks Skeleton Unleash Crusty D-Beat Assault on New Song "War"

Texas upstarts unveil vicious first track from debut 7-inch for Super Secret Records
skeleton.jpeg

While cities like Denton, Dallas and Austin have a storied history of excellent punk and metal bands, for the most part Texas is a state steeped in country and hip hop, the latter only more recently becoming prevalent through the strong Houston scene and the legends emerging therein (UGK, Geto Boys, et al). That said, it's hard to deny bands like the Marked Men, Big Boys, Dicks or even Power Trip for their contributions to the punk community at large.

Within that subset is hardcore and the more caustic end of punk rock. In the wake of the Chaos in Tejas festival, several bands have emerged having had local live experiences with world-class bands like Framtid, Cock Sparrer, Bastard, the Damned, the Mob and so many others, allowing a legion of spoiled punk kids to see the greatest the world has to offer right down the street from where they live. As a result, Austin and the surrounding areas have developed an impenetrable punk scene, ones that have produced also-world class bands like Impalers, Vaaska, Severed Head of State, World Burns to Death and several others in the years following. 

Skeleton is an upstart band, but comes from prime stock, namely strong also-younger bands Nosferatu, Enemy One and others. A self-described "metalpunk" band, Skeleton's approach is definitely of the hardcore punk ilk, tying in goth and bits of metallic influences to hammer home their furious blend of toxicity. Discharge is clearly the primary jumping off point, but so is Anti-Cimex, early crust influences and, over all, misanthropy.

The first song from their new four-song EP is 'War," a battering ram of a d-beat track that hides melody within muscular riffing, making for an excellent and repeatable track. Producer Orville Neeley (also Bad Sports, OBN IIIs, sometimes Radioactivity) leaves the crust along the edges, making for a crunchy, urgent and earnest listen. Check it out above and order yours