Gone are the days of Courtney Love, Shirley Manson, Brody Dalle and Gwen Stafani holding the light up for women. Women now hold a much stronger position in punk than before, from big punk labels like Fat Wreck Chords putting a spotlight on Bad Cop/Bad Cop and The Bombpops, to Halestorm and Screaming Female representing metal and riff-laden indie rock. Suffice to say, we’ve come a long way and female-led bands seem to be both more represented and more respected.
With that in mind, ‘Title Holder’, the opening track of The Interrupters ‘Fight The Good Fight’ deals with just that. Taking all the hard times, overcoming them and moulding them into something positive. Anthemic, bouncy and chock full of delicious two-tone, the LA ska-punk band open their third album in four years with energy and spirit. For those who haven’t checked them out up till now, think the vocal prowess of Brody Dalle and the ska-punk of Rancid. With all the darkness and ominous feelings in the world, who am I to turn down the light that is exceptional two-tone punk?
First single, ‘She’s Kerosene’ bounds in as a triumphantly reflective piece. A meditation on a previously narcissisticly abusive relationship, it spells out the ability to rise up and see the beauty within oneself. “I really hope when people listen to that song, it helps them feel empowered to leave a toxic relationship,” says singer Aimee Interrupter, and she’s absolutely right. It’s an uplifting fight song. Fight for yourself if no one else will.
And if there’s people to help you fight, bring them along. Cue ‘We Got Each Other’, a blistering song of unity and family featuring punk legends Rancid. With Rancid guitarist Lars Frederiksen, bassist Matt Freeman, drummer Branden Steineckert and guitarists/album producer Tim Armstrong all pitching in on some of the versus as well as the chorus, ‘we don’t have much but we got each other’ it rings honest and true.
The riff and melody of ‘Broken World’ is built around a riff handed down from Billie Ray Armstrong during The Interrupters’ tour with Green Day, which is surely the first ska-punk song he’s had a hand in. And with a sing-a-long chorus, it’s the track that will inevitably get live crowds skanking together.
The stand out is ‘Gave You Everything’. Hard hitting and powerful, it shows the real range Interrupter has to her voice. Emphatic, potent and soaring, it’s the anti-love song of the record. The realisation that, come the end of a relationship, there’s nothing to do but accept you’ve given everything to make it work and it’s time to move on. Throughout the chorus, there’s an expectation that Interrupter will hit a higher note than she does. Almost baiting us into disappointment, she hits it perfectly following a key change and adds a gravitas to the track that wasn’t necessarily missing but creates an extra layer.
The album closes with ‘Room With A View’ a eulogy to the death of a loved one. It’s pensive yet lively. Reflective, yet fun. As a culmination, the record ends in the way it starts: intense, enthusiastic and, above all, fun. It’s clear they’re attempting to provide some solace and security to the disillusioned. Music gets people through a lot, it’s a connective medium that can help anyone, even those feeling alone. It’s a beautiful escape. And for that, The Interrupters have nailed their intentions. They keep fighting the good fight, in our ears and by our sides.
ANDY JOICE