It is always interesting that despite declining sales figures for CDs and long-term gloomy forecasts, special formats like a split CD are still being released. This reflects, at best, optimism but also the knowledge that one has built a fanbase that wants to hold a tangible product in their hands, rather than just a cold file in a player.
Here, two generations of musicians have come together to do something for punk rock across generations.
The band VERSUS YOU from Luxembourg kicks things off on “Levitate the Listener.”
Founded in 2005, the quartet has seen the world spin a little faster in their homeland ever since. The guys from the small state have dedicated themselves to melodic punk rock, which some would classify as melodycore and others as skate punk. One could also call it California punk rock, but no matter what you call it, it hits hard, and it’s not surprising that the band has already played alongside the big names in punk rock during their six-year history.
Especially the opener “The Mad Ones” has an earworm quality and instantly brings a smile. This is the soundtrack of summer; just add a board under your feet and head to the next halfpipe. Hell yeah! The guys can play slower too, but it’s the fast tracks that hit hard and stick in your ears. With the emo-tinged song “Spread the Epidemic,” the band bids farewell after seven tracks to make way for WHITE FLAG.
WHITE FLAG are like the dinosaurs of punk rock, still having fun and adding a good dose of craziness. The band members call themselves Mike Mess or Jello B. Afro. Any questions?
The band has been around for 28 years! Who can keep up with that? It’s no wonder that the carousel of band members has turned several times. And yet, WHITE FLAG still does what they do best: catchy punk rock with varying degrees of pop appeal and fun. If I can believe the founding father of ramtatta.de, the band’s gigs used to be absurd, crazy madness. Or as Die Ärzte once beautifully said, “We have the stage to ourselves tonight, and we’re going to use it. 2 ½ hours of lawless space where we can do whatever we want.” Personally, I haven’t seen WHITE FLAG yet, so I can’t comment on that, but their sound reminds me of the earlier Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, who also just do nonsense on stage.
WHITE FLAG offers seven punk rock songs that today would probably be considered old school by the younger generation but are likely to evoke youthful memories for people in their thirties and forties. No fat production, but singable melodies and good vibes.
“Levitate the Listener” is a fine record that, alongside 14 punk rock songs, appeals to almost everyone across generations who has ever dabbled in the drug of punk rock. You can’t go wrong with buying the record, but you can do a lot right.
