Bad Time Records – June 05, 2020
A great sounding 7″ which makes you crave for a co-headliner tour
Split 7″ are always fun to listen to. If only because it’s a tangible product of the friendship between bands and the juxtaposition of their individual styles. The underlying idea that bands can form close personal and sometimes also musical friendships is a thought that soothes our individualistic minds.
Catbite are a foursome from Philadelphia who play very, very danceable ska-rock. The influences they mention as key to their sound like The Slackers, The Specials and, for example, Operation Ivy are well chosen. I’d also add The Interrupters as a reference point.
Omnigone combine elements of ska, punk and hardcore in their sound and feature several members of well known 90’s band Link 80. The influences are clear and their history shines through in their sound. Operation Ivy also is a good reference when describing Omnigone’s sound. In comparison with Catbite you can tell Omnigone gives us more of a hardcore edge to their sound. A little rougher; less ska dancing and more ska moshing might perhaps be a good metaphor when comparing the two.
This 7″ is a very sympathetic and good sounding product. On it both bands are covering eachother’s songs with Catbite covering the Omnigone track “Horizontal Agression” and also doing a cool version of the Clash’s “White Riot.” Omnigone for their part cover Catbite’s “Scratch Me Up,” and an old Link 80 song called “Nothing New.” Both bands sound great and give us almost 9 minutes of very enjoyable ska-punk songs with a hardcore edge. The length of the record is the only downside. It’s short, very short.
But then again, it is also an ideal calling card for a combined tour for these two bands. Consider this a challenge to both bands. I for one will be anxiously waiting to see if they are coming over to Europe in the post-Corona future because judging from this 7″ that will be one party you (and I) definitely don’t want to miss.
