What is Clean Punk? It’s how I would describe Stratejacket, a new punk band from California. But that doesn’t actually answer the question of what is clean punk? So… just… read on.
Stratejacket recently released a new EP called Stratejacket. It’s a record that showcases a young band who knows what they want but is still finding out how to get it. They want big, catchy punk songs that you can sing-a-long to in any setting that are full of grit and heart. And they’re kinda there.
Grit. Guess where I’m going with this.
Every song on this record has a large, sing-a-long chorus. Every song follows the punk formula of “simple chords and repetition”. But, and I blame the fact that they’re a young, freshman band, they’re clean. They lack grit. They lack dirt. They’re playing punk on a nice day on carpet on the sidewalk when, deep down, they’d much rather be in the rain on a dirt hill struggling to keep their balance.
But I want to use this opportunity to make a prediction: within the decade, they’ll find the grittiness that’ll send them to everyone’s earholes. Instead of playing bars, they’ll be playing auditoriums and theatres. And that’ll happen this decade once they leave the safety of wherever the fuck they are right now.
Highlights: Living A Lie has a fun chord progression, is very driven, repetitive, and in my opinion, is closest to that grittiness I mentioned above. Plus, as with all their songs, it’s catchy. It’s gritty and catchy and the best example of where they will be going.
Lowlights: Be My Drug. It’s such a safe song. It’s a safe chord progression. It safes quickly through each part so nothing can breathe. And the sing-a-long chorus seems forced.
I’m a man of truth and honesty. And that’s why you should listen to Living A Lie.
