Make-That-A-Take Records – 02 Feb 2023
Down to a trio, yet making even bigger music than before
The Overbites, born out of the ashes of ska-punk act Maxwell's Dead, have been a bit quiet during the pandemic, but have returned with their newest EP Time to Go. There's seven songs, but two quick sub-minute tracks make this a bit shorter than the track listing on the back cover would suggest. Notably, the band is now a trio, down from a quartet on their debut Mince EP, but the energy is still there in spades. Probably more so.
The Overbites skip around genres a bit but, overall, play a kind of non-offensive high-energy punk. Right from the start I need to point something out that definitely skews my opinion in favor of the album: the bass guitar sounds really nice and adds a body to the music. I often comment how a solid-sounding rhythm section can make or break an album, and too many bands lean more towards lean rather than full-bodied in that respect to their detriment. I guess it helps that the bass lines are slick and all over the board, along with the percussion. It just sounds really good.
Lead track “No-thority” gives you a clear picture of what to expect from the EP: catchy lyrics and even catchier choruses. Pre-release song “Rotten” follows up with a fast and furious ear worm.
Further in, “I Don't Remember” has a bit of a paranoid, sinister tone, and seems a lot bigger than it's 32 second run time. “No Chill” brings back a down and dirty ska/reggae sound at a nice tame tempo before picking up speed a little bit with some explosive sections.
“Anxiety” was also a pre-release single, and brings the album home with a great closing track. It highlights all of the positive aspects The Overbites presented in the first six songs: chock full of great backing vocals, some ultra-fast punk beats, and solid finish.
With this damned pandemic (hopefully) winding down, let's hope that The Overbites can get more chances to spread the good word far and wide. This is a band playing a fun and energetic type of punk that can sit on your rotation for quite a while. More please!
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He's lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.