Throughout Melbourne’s music history, ska has been a near constant presence from the late ‘70s and carrying on today with bands like Area-7 and The Resignators. Although The Bennies lean towards the punk side of ska-punk, the majority of their new EP, Heavy Disco, contains enough skankin’ goodness to keep fans of the genre happy.
This EP has everything usually associated with ska-punk; a simple yet effective horn section, the typical ‘upstroke’ style of guitar strumming, a two-tone beat, and of course, the obligatory song about weed (Green-Mix City).
As a whole, it’s good fun. They tend to stay in the shallow end lyrically, but it suits the upbeat partying vibe they seem to be going for. It’s songs like Stay Free and Party Whirlwind that’ll guarantee an excellent live show. Party Whirlwind gets a special mention for having a sweet trumpet solo. What’s Your Fuckin’ Problem? is a great example of the punk and ska fusion, with its raw, angry vocals followed quickly by a nice, uplifting trumpet riff. It’s the sweet and salty of music: kind of weird, but really fucking good.
BY CASSIE HEDGER
Best Song: Party Whirlwind
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: LESS THAN JAKE, AREA-7, MAD CADDIES
In A Word: Dope
