Six Pack Deep

Wake Up

Self Released

(Six Pack Deep MySpace)

While ska punk may have had its day in the mid-90s and to be honest most of the bands still kicking around from that time have not released anything recently worth paying attention to anyway (except new Streetlight Manifesto). Harsh I know, but fair. So it is to the new blood like Louisiana's Six Pack Deep that we must rest our hopes with.

For me the best type of ska punk, is the raw s@#t. Lots of energy, plenty of attitude and a real live in your face sound. Albums by bands like Operation Ivy, early Less than Jake and Big D & the Kids Table had so much energy there was nothing better than playing them at full volume and singing along with your rowdy mates. It is this attitude that Six Pack Deep brings, it might not always be pretty, but it is electrifying.

It's especially effective when you have a full horn section blasting an infectious melody over some tasty punk rock. Across the board there is certainly an emphasis on the horns (even the album cover reflects this) and a horn section has never sounded so vibrant as one mixed by rock producer Ron “Saint” Germain (311, Living Colour & Pepper). Chuck Tuna, the title track, Wake Up, the instrumental Ewok, and my favorite song here Rambo (You Not Expendable) utilize the horns to their fullest.

While the horns are prominent, all the other members of the band still get their time in the spotlight, like on the catchy and fun No Choice at All and album climax Sweet Jesus, which showcases all the best elements of everything you have just heard before it. Also included is a surprising cover of 2 Skinnee Js Bar-B-Q, and yes it does work... maybe that's because the 2 Skinnee J's did start off as a ska band?

So want to listen an album that will give you that feeling of youthful exuberance? Searching for an album full of attitude, fun and built on a solid “ROCK” foundation? Six Pack Deep may have exactly what you are looking for in Wake Up.

Reviewed by Pilipo