Those Brighton fun-loving Punks are at it again – Skurvi return with a stellar six-track EP and no songs about Jimmy’s impending baldness! The interestingly titled Apathetic Apology opens with “Catch 22” in blistering fashion, with frenetic guitars and bass fighting for attention. Jimmy’s trademark vocal is delivered with a bullish enthusiasm, we expected nothing else. While the verses are Punk as Fuck the chorus(es) are much more melodic. I’m guessing the song’s content centre’s around the drudgery of everyday life; the “day in, day out”, “stuck in a Catch 22, as long as there are cigarettes and booze”. The bass compliments the noodly, strained chords in the bridge while the heavy-hitting is a constant throughout. It’s a great opener with a sharp ending.
“Dirty River” comes next where the bass throbs from the start, before the intricate chord changes kick in alongside the ferocious hitting. The slow/fast, start/stop formula is employed at intervals throughout. The bass remains heavy alongside Jimmy’s vocal, straining at the leash as if ready to explode. There’s a real passion in his voice that only matches the ferocity of the music. I’m really not sure about the lyrical content, then again is it that important?!
“Enemy” follows on initially with slightly less gusto and I’m reminded of early Sham/Rejects. It’s anthemic; almost tribal, with added “woah, woah, woah’s” while the lyrics suggest a “football firm culture” influence. The rat-a-tat drumming perfectly accompanies the strong guitars and bass throb. Again Jimmy’s impassioned lyrics are delivered with power and the chorus is more in the Dropkicks ballpark.
And with football still reverberating around our heads, next up comes “Football”! Another fast-paced Punky ditty about our national game taking precedence over family life. Liam’s bass throbs throughout, matched by Matt’s thumping drums and Perry’s clangy guitars. Lyrically tongue in cheek, it’s an anthemic singalong kind of song – perfect for the live arena. There’s one standout line in the chorus, “although I love my kids and wife, they know that football is my life”. The storytelling theme of the song tells of a family departure, due to the subject’s love of football. I defy anyone who loves football to not be singing this song after a show. Jimmy (lead vox) sings the song in a humorous style and one can only speculate which band member(s) this song refers to.
Staying in the same musical arena comes “Gunshots”, again bass-heavy and anthemic. Hints of the Clash in a gunfight (sic) with the Dropkicks. More “woah’s”, more power hitting and another anthemic chorus just ripe for the live arena. More a reflection of city life than just pure fiction, the “gunshot fire from far away” line and accompanying bass throbs towards the end are the making of the song.
“Never Say Die” closes this collection and once again the bass is the star turn. Jimmy’s angry yet passionate vocal returns once more on this defiant “Fuck You” song. It could just as easily be targeted at a boss, a politician or a fellow human being, and with that Skurvi are well and truly back.
Brighton will always be known in the ‘scene’ for the Test Tube Babies but Skurvi continue to deliver rabble-rousing, anthemic Punk songs to an ever-growing army of fans. A shoe-in most years at Rebellion Festival, these guys have delivered another six songs to add to their growing repertoire. Ok, so there are no surprises – with Skurvi it tends to be what you see is what you get. However, these four guys keep on banging out the songs every once in a while and on this evidence continue to grow their sound. More anthemic than novelty, we may just be seeing the early fruits of a more mature Skurvi sound; then again…..
Track listing
Catch 22
Dirty River
Enemy
Football
Gunshots
Never Say Die
Band members
Jimmy – Vocals
Liam – Bass/Backing Vocals
Perry – Guitar/Backing Vocals
Matt – Drums
Links
https://www.facebook.com/skurvi
https://skurvi.bandcamp.com
Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
