THE HOLYBUTTONS are a pop-punk outfit from Barcelona who have been playing since 2004. With this – their third full-length – they wear their influences clearly on their sleeves. Their sound draws comparisons to ‘So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes’-era NOFX, except without the ska-tinged tracks of that album – essentially smart, well written pop-punk with fast double-time drums. Fans of The Movielife, Allister and the poppier Anti-Flag material will find plenty to enjoy here. The production is very impressive with all the instruments coming through clear as a bell, the guitars chunky and the vocals frantic yet melodic. Vocally is where they really stand out – the harmonies and gang vocals really help to drive the songs along, lifting them above the average pop-punk band.
For The Holybuttons, standing out from the endless-sea of 90s-era pop-punk bands is an absolute necessity, so more of a focus on creating their own sound could be beneficial. However, they’ve clearly mastered the ’90s’ style they’re playing and as far as spiky pop-punk albums go, ‘Being the Movie’ doesn’t put a foot wrong.
Roger Holland