A lazy introduction stolen from the band’s myspace: “Ska-Punk 8 piece “Last Orders” were formed in Leicester – famous for, well – Engelbert Humperdinck and pork pies is all that comes to mind. Ahem, not a lot to boast about then! We formed in 2001, but didn’t really get a lot done, so after much changing around of members we whittled the band down to Tunde, Rob, Mikail, Pete, Dave, Ben, Jim and Matt. We’ve played a number of gigs in and around Leicester, but haven’t dared to venture out into the wide world yonder. We recorded our first 5 track EP Will Skank for Beer in one very stressful day. Our second EP Skank It Up is now complete although none of us are sure what ‘it’ actually is… hopefully you guys can enlighten us.”
So with introductions over, what does ‘Skank It Up’ offer us? well, to be brutally frank, very little new. With a laid-back reggae-esque undertone, the five tracks here are pop ska from the late 1990s with the usual Sublime/Less than Jake influences, done with a British twist. And done to a half decent standard too. It’s just when I first started listening to punk and ska in 1996/7 there were bands that sound a lot like Last Orders and 10 years on they’ve not managed to shift that sound on too much. It was fun then, but I’ve since grown up and it’s just not as fun anymore. The ironically titled ‘Emo Song’ is the best of a decent bunch, but not enough for me to pull out the chequered pants.
And anyway, ska’s no longer cool is it?*
www.myspace.com/lastorders
paul
* repeat this sentence with tongue firmly in cheek