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We called it ‘new school’ or ‘hardcore’. Sometimes ‘melodic hardcore’. It was all just punk rock, sped up with technical riffing and drumming and melodic vocal tones.
The punk attitude and aggression was still there, but we saw some truly phenomenal songwriters elevate punk rock into a whole new stratosphere — guys like Brett Gurewitz and Greg Graffin (Bad Religion), Fat Mike (NOFX), Jim Cherry (Strung Out, Pulley, Zero Down), Tony Sly (No Use), Russ Rankin (Good Riddance), Jim Lindberg and Jason Thirsk (Pennywise) and Joey Cape (Lagwagon), among others.
While the proliferation of skate punk bands might have slowed down for a while, the pillars who created the sound (those who survived) continued to create new music, keeping it alive for the next generation to pick it up.
And now skate punk seems to be gaining momentum again, thanks to some talented, young bands picking up the torch and running with it.
No Quarter is one them. Hailing from Australia, these boys clearly know what type of sound they’re looking to create. Musically, No Quarter reminds me of old Strung Out meeting old Pulley, with a different vocal delivery.
No Quarter’s vocalist is no schlub. He belts out songs like “Abandon Ship, This Fucker’s Sinking” with real power. While he doesn’t have much of a growl to his vox, it is a full-throated style, easily in command and control of where the music is taking him.
No Quarter works to balance solid songwriting with technical riffs and drumming. My favorite songs off this record are the previously mentioned (ASTFS), “Bottle Tops and Jameson Shots”, and “Lost Boys 4 Eva”.
But No Quarter mixes up a few tracks with an acoustic opening, slowing down the controlled mayhem just long enough, before jumping right back on the rocket. Songs like “Freedom” and “I.K.Y.” exemplify this approach.
I’ve enjoyed this record. While these boys definitely have a bead on where they’re headed, I can’t help but feel like this five-piece is still honing their sound. The longer they’re together and writing songs, the closer they’ll get to really figuring out their formula.
One thing I’m not a huge fan of in modern skate punk are bands that go way overboard in trying to be technical. No Quarter, however, seem to understand the balance of being technical, with good songwriting and melody.
I look forward to seeing how this band evolves. 3 out of 4 stars.
