Happy Songs For Drunk People,
Half Past TenHalf Past Ten are a ska - punk band from Austria. Their self – composed/produced 8 track demo “Happy Music For Drunk People,” is a CD that takes me back 5 or 6 years to when I feared GCSE’s, dressed inappropriately for society, first started heading out to under ground punk gigs and when the almighty Less Than Jake ruled my stereo.
Nowadays all that has changed, (although I’m sure my girlfriend would tell you society still doesn’t accept me dress code,) the point I’m making is, ska just seemed to vanish didn’t it? There are still a few bands making decent crack out of it on the under ground scene, but whether or not the big guns just lost faith in it, or whether or not the music loving public just decided they didn’t want to be happy with horns anymore is a bit like the chicken and egg question. It seems recently the cream of the crop lingers in small town venues, (I should know I’m in a ska band.)
When Half Past Ten’s demo first started playing, I cringed slightly as the first track “Funny School Day” as it came across as more “punk” than “ska.” However, it didn’t take long before the up-picking guitar and brass section came to life, and when the obligatory ska/funk bass lines and vocal harmonies (ala Reel Big Fish) were thrown in for good measure, I kicked back and let this CD make me happy.
“Half Past Ten” have gathered up all the perfect ingredients, combined and baked them, and created an amazing final product. It’s a well layered, well executed, sweet tasting cake, and you could live on it easily. Tracks like “My World,” “Skamania” and “Red Eyes,” are all worth more than a good listen. I may not be drunk, but you don’t need to be for this CD to make you happy, it’s top quality ska, and whilst the record plays we’ll enjoy it.
Pete
www.half-past-ten.com
