Review: Dumbskull – “Summer EP”

Laptop Punk Records – 17 August 2022

Dumbskull doesn’t want to like you, or wants you to just be one of us freaks. 

Dumbskull is the DIY solo project of TGEFM’s own editor Ryan. I wasn’t familiar with Dumbskull before listening to this EP and so I can’t compare these songs to his previous work, so this review is going to focus only on this EP.  

I would describe the album’s sound as kind of Ramones, meets Redd Kross meets Screeching Weasel, and little bit the Queers. It starts off with “Eat Trash and Die” which is a somewhat simple song with simple lyrics, but has both lead and rhythm riffs, and backing vocals, and was something I didn’t really expect from a one-man band.

 The next track “Not Just Another Girl” I feel picks it up a bit and I found myself bopping my head to this one. Great melody and a fun “oh yeah” hook, this was one of my favorite tracks on the EP. The only thing lacking in this song was the drums in the bridge needed a little something more, but still pretty great for one-man do it all pop-punk entry.

“Cut it Out” is a fast paced 53 second song slightly reminiscent of Dee Dee Ramones on lead vocals While “Freaks” is a reference to the movie with the same name and includes the “One of Us” chant. Even if you are not familiar with this movie, you may likely have heard the Ramones reference this in the opening lyrics to “Pinhead”, the name of which also comes from the same movie. I enjoyed this little throwback tie to some of the musical influences on this one.

This EP is full of fun lyrics, simple drum fills, distorted guitars, and easy to listen to punk songs. It is short and the songs are fast, so it won’t take much of your time to check this one out, and if you’re into the bands mentioned in the beginning then I’m certain you will find something you like here.