“This song is not going to change the world,” Bastion proclaim on ‘No Way Jose‘. And they’re right. It won’t. About 12 years ago I would have adored this record. I would have been 17 and just discovering all the good stuff (fast and furious melodic hardcore straight outta the SoCal scene) and I would have lapped this up a treat. It reminds me a bit of Good Riddance, in places the vocal melodies kind of remind me of Agnostic Front, even though sonically they’re miles apart. I guess the closest comparable band is maybe You Me And The Atom Bomb. Anyway, this record is choc-full of punk rock anthems, sung with a strong throaty swagger and lots of alcohol-fueled singalongs. It’s pop-punk for the punks, not the pop kids.
And for that reason it kind of passes me by a little bit. Many moons ago I would have lived and breathed this record, but I’ve mellowed out a little bit in my (relative) old age and as a result I find this a little tired and dated. It’s still passionate and emotive and for that the band deserve your attention, but I don’t think too many people outside the strong DIY circle that will obviously love this record will be converted. Not because it’s bad – because it’s actually very good – but it’s limited in what it does.
“This song is all about being punk, this song is all about being DIY” the band sing. The whole album is testament to this ethos and for that alone is well worthy of a listen. For me, well my tastes have changed. I know the 17-year-old in me would have given this 10/10 but I can’t hack it any more. If you like Chillerton and all of those quality south-coast bands then Bastion are definitely the band for you.