Most bands are happy to play 100+ gigs a year. Not Suburban Legends. The So-Cal ska heroes picked up a nice slot at Disneyland California, playing three times a day to unsuspecting punters in 100-degree heat. In doing so they managed to rack up hundreds and hundreds of gigs and get their name out to people they probably wouldn't have normally - including my dad, who, buzzing off the cool ska-pop he'd heard whilst on holiday, made me download their MP3s and burn him a CD. It's about this part in the story where I tell you that I first came across SL - and we fast forward to their 'Rump Shaker' CD landing on my doormat.
This is a great record; a CD choc-full of catchy pop hooks and fast ska melodies. There are songs to make you dance, songs to make you skank and songs to make you shake your booty in a Beyonce stylee. Not only that, but it's served up in such a fun way that you'll be left grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Opener 'High Fives' is a brassy blast of ska-punk goodness and that's the way 'Rump Shaker' continues. Whether it be 'Up All Night' or 'Do It For The Kids', this has more dance danthems that the latest Judge Jules CD.
You can sum up SL in a few short sentences. They're fun. They're fantastic. They're funny. 'Rump Shaker' is the best ska-pop record since Reel Big Fish unleashed 'Why Do They Rock So Hard' what seems like many moons ago. If you're after a throwback to the days when ska was all over the radio, this record is exactly the pick-you-up you'll need. It's a breath of fresh air and if you're a ska fan, you won't want to miss out.
www.suburbanlegends.com
Brand New Hero
Paul
