If 2001 was the year that emo came back, then it was also the very same year that saw ska/punk explode. Top new records from Less Than Jake, Mad Caddies and the Rx Bandits, to name but three, were released to critical acclaim [well by us at Punktastic anyway…] and Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger came to the UK and proceeded to sell-out shows left, right and centre. But one new band seemed to have gone unnoticed. Hopefully not for long.
The Busdrivers have already gained a hell of a lot of comparisons to Less Than Janke, so we’ll get those out of the way first. They’re both from Gainesville, Florida and they both play ska/punk. They’re not the new Less Than Jake, they’re The Busdrivers. Capiche? Anyway, ‘Missed This Little Trend’ is probably the 2001’s ‘best record that you won’t have heard yet’. And it’s absolutely criminal that you maybe haven’t have heard of this little lot just yet, because this record shits on ‘Borders and Boundaries’ from a great height…
Opener ‘Four’ does sound like Less Than Jake, but it’s a cracking blend of guitars and horns, and vocalist Sterling Stokes has a pretty good voice to match. And with a chorus as catchy as anything else you’ve heard this year, you’ll be hopping around like a one-legged pirate in no time. The sevensome then launch straight into ‘Maybe Next Time’, which carries on the fun and frolics. The blend of trumpet, trombone and saxophone works really well, especially in the introduction. It’s fast, furious and very cool, with the backing vocals of trumpet player Erin Weldon adding an extra dimension. ‘Josh’s Shirt’ starts off more punky than perky and shows that The Busdrivers are not just a ska band. Starting with an arpeggioed acoustic guitar riff, ‘Holding On’ is a great song. “Looks like we have missed this little trend,” sings Sterling, almost as if he predicts that despite his bands greatness, they seem set to miss out on riding the crest of the ska/punk wave. Lyrically great, musically kick-ass, especially when the band go all hardcore for a short period towards the end and the saxophone solo just before it.
‘Really’ is a standard ska track and will have your foot tapping pretty sharpish, and ‘Not The Same’ sounds like the Voodoo Glow Skulls at the beginning before sounding like The Busdrivers again. And it’s another great singalong song. ‘Kelli’ is possibly the most LTJ sounding song on the record, but the fact that it rocks speaks for itself. Featuring a good balance of horns, guitar and drums the album’s production is very good. It’s not too rough and not too good either. Infact, it’s damn near perfect. Erin exercises her vocal talents on ‘Can’t Turn Away’ which keeps the listener on their toes. If I was being lazy I’d compare this to Reel Big Fish, but with a girl vocalist. Yeah, it is really that good…
‘It’s Been Too Long’ starts a bit slower then speeds up through the chorus. But it’s not as instant as the other songs and could have you reaching for the dreaded skip button. ‘So Much To Want’ starts off with a piano and sounds like an 80’s throwback song! And just as you think it’s going into dodgy ballad territory, the song picks up. It’s not a classic by any means but it is different. ‘Bourbon Street’ is much more upbeat and is a cracking tune, and last song ‘Girl Song’ carries on where its predecessor left off, with ska riffs and horns ahoy. It’s damn near a perfect ending to a near perfect record.
The Busdrivers can only go on to bigger and better things. The talent is there, the songs are there, all they need is a lucky break. If you like Reel Big Fish and LTJ then you owe it to yourself to get this record. It can be bought by visiting www.goodcleanfunrecords.co.uk
Paul Savage