By Connor LaLone
Chicago-based punk-pop band Knuckle Puck (“No Good”) released their new EP titled “Disposable Life” on Feb. 4. The EP features two singles, as well as a cover: “Here’s Your Letter,” originally performed by Blink-182 (“I Miss You.”) While hardcore fans of the band may have hoped for a full-length album, they should not be disappointed in the quality of the EP.
The first track of the roughly 16 minute EP is “Gasoline,” which was originally released as a single in January 2022. Those familiar with the punk-pop genre will immediately recognize “Gasoline” as classic Knuckle Puck. The slightly deafened guitar riff that fills the first five seconds before bursting into full voice and becoming accompanied by Joe Taylor’s vocals is incredibly reminiscent of “Tune You Out,” a track from the aptly named 2020 album “20/20.” The remainder of the song is a controlled, clean mix of “20/20” and Knuckle Puck’s 2015 album “Copacetic,” combining the slightly pessimistic attitudes and angst of the latter with the restraint and polished musicianship of the former.
“Levitate” is the second track on “Disposable Life,” and like “Gasoline,” was released as a single in December 2021. The first singles released from albums and EPs are often the “strongest” songs from their respective compilations, and this rings true with “Levitate.” The song is anthemic and has the fingerprints of “Copacetic” all over it. “Levitate” in particular feels similar stylistically to “Pretense,” a song rife with emotions of anger, disdain, and resentment. While “Levitate” has a slightly more optimistic outlook, it still contains plenty of feelings of inadequacy and unfulfilled potential that truly embodies the genre as a whole.
The third track of “Disposable Life” is “In The Bag,” an interesting twist of optimism wrapped in apathy for those who might seek to detract from Taylor’s ability and confidence. The song itself is musically tight, with clean guitars from Kevin Maida and Nick Casasanto. John Siorek’s drumming ability is on full display throughout, with signature drum fills littering the track. Siorek’s drumming is at times very reminiscent of Travis Barker of Blink-182, one of the pioneers and leading names in the industry of punk pop music.
Siorek’s rhythmic and talented drumming is again present in “Lonely Island,” the fourth (and final original) track on the EP. “Lonely Island” is a more upbeat, high-tempo track that fully highlights the tremendous musicianship of each member of the band. Throughout, Taylor asks questions of an unnamed person: “What’s it feel like to be alone on an island in the sky?” This is not something new to Knuckle Puck, as songs like “No Good” and “Pretense” feature lines like: “Where’s your respect? And didn’t your father teach you anything before he left?” and “How dare you guilt me for not sticking around as if you ever did for me?” respectively. “Lonely Island” as a track shares similar pacing and melodic structures as “Untitled,” a track from “Copacetic,” one of Taylor’s greatest lyrical works.
“Disposable Life” is a strong if relatively brief entry from Knuckle Puck, displaying the prowess of Taylor as a frontman and songwriter, and the band’s growth as a whole. The group’s newest music is a pleasing blend of their past work, as they continue to refine their sound. While perhaps not as musically brilliant as 2015’s “Copacetic,” the EP presents a band that understands their audience, but is also true to their own personalities, making it hard to not respect their elevation.
Image from Knuckle Puck via YouTube
