Jerkazoid drops debut LP ‘Earth In Reverse’

Coming out of the garages and backyards of Portland’s underground music scene, Jerkazoid have been quick to stake their claim as one of the city’s most exciting new punk acts. Featuring the talents of Bazooka Jules, Silky Breeze and Racecar Dan, the skate punk trio trades in sonic speed, spontaneity and the idea that every performance should feel like a shared experience between artist and audience. Those live shows have already earned them a reputation as a must see band, creating an atmosphere where everyone becomes part of the chaos.

While their music draws from the enduring sounds of 90s DIY punk, the trio filter the genre through a lens that’s firmly planted in the present. Fast tempos, melodic hooks and uncompromising artistic convition collide to produce songs that are equally exhilarating and observant, capturing the frustrations and contradictions of modern life while retaining punk’s pure sense of fun.

Taking cues from bands such as Descendents, NOFX, Screeching Weasel and Lagwagon, Jerkazoid channel the hallmarks of classic skate punk to deliver music driven by relentless rhythms and engaging songwriting. Political awareness, social commentary and personal anxieties all coalesce within their songwriting, balanced by an irreverent humour that keeps the band’s outlook from becoming overly heavy.

In April, they first revealed their shared sonic vision with the debut single “Six Minutes Away” which they quickly followed up with a trio of singles. Now they bring us their most ambitious release thus far with their brand new debut full-length record titled Earth In Reverse, a fifteen-track outing which blends their energy with sardonic writing tone. The album reflects a world that often feels disorientating and upside down, responding with equal doses of frustration, sarcasm and determination.

Opened by “Runaway,” the album starts with a female vocal sample before the bite of electric guitar layers is met by charging drums and driving chords, forming an uptempo punk scene. With belted vocals ringing out above the lively arrangement, the band crafts an uplifting punk rock anthem brimming with memorable vocal hooks and driving instrumentation before slowing down to an intimate bridge that rolls into an epic close of half-time rhythms and singalong vocal lines. “Fake Friends” buzzes into focus as rustling drums ushers in crunchy guitar chords and bright leads, forming a melodic punk outing capped by expressive vocal performance and an infectious chorus of stacked vocals.

Their debut single “Six Minutes Away” delivers an all-out punk rock assault propelled by raucous drums and guitars while commanding vocals glide above to serve up an exhilarating listening experience from start to finish. Tracks like “King of the Middle of Nowhere” jumps straight into a gripping soundscape of catchy vocal leads, punching drums, pulsing bass lines and gritty guitars, slipping into a pop-tinged sound that’s sure to have crowds singing the music back at live shows.

Other highlights include songs like “Lebanese Christmas” which brings invigorating guitars, blistering drums and riveting vocal performance wrapped up in a potent two minute dose of punk pop music. “Chloe Knows Karate” lands with fuzzy chords and twanging lead notes before chugging rhythms and epic call and response vocals soar above while “Cops Don’t Rock” builds from crashing chords and splashing drums into a thrilling outing packed full of subtly delicate melodic leads and energising instrumentation.

Title track “Earth in Reverse” pick scrapes its way into a rousing moment of incredible punk rock that frames the genre’s classic stylings in Jerkazoid’s own unique way. Closing the album with “No Comfort,” the band leans into an acoustic sound to capture their songwriting in a stripped back setting where intimate vocals and laid back guitar strums combine to lay down a tender finale to the band’s sensational debut album. With Earth in Reverse, Jerkazoid presents a spectacular full-length release that’s sure to win over new and existing fans alike. The journey continues with a hometown record release show at Portland’s Star Bar on the 16th of July, bringing the songs back to the environment that first forged them.

Listen to Earth In Reverse below