Ska local legends, Local Legends are legends, locally, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their newest EP, “Condones Violence,” was released on January 23rd with three songs, and they are, well, at the risk of sounding even more redundant, legendary. What an incredible album!
Local Legends are a ska-core/ ska punk band that hits every check box for me, and I know almost nothing about them. The first song is CEOpen Season- and damn is it good. The song opens with a huge brass horn line, followed by a general ska guitar riff, before an insane 80s metal guitar solo. Then a great punk-style first verse. The chorus “One is never enough, to right their fucking wrongs, it’s CEOpen season, until their fucking gone” in fang vocals is begging for full crowd participation. Insane horn solos and fast past ska riffs make an incredible bridge. Seriously, the pit for this song is gonna go so damn hard, with transitions between skanking and thrashing.
But then the tone drops down into much heavier ska-core for “Predator in the Pit”. The lead vocalist switches for the song, and the anger gets turned up to fucking 12 as the anger towards CEOs and fascists is one thing, but the anger at someone you trusted who betrayed you is much more visceral. This song goes out to Justin Sane and Anti-Flag, the person who preached ethics and values and betrayed everyone by being a coercive, manipulative abuser. The song goes hard, the anger is real. The results are lethal. There is no room for a predator in the pit.
The final song on this heartbreakingly short EP is FAFO. The horns are clean and crisp, the vocals’ rhythm is the catchiest on the album, the horns are a little more punchy and exciting, there are some solid breakdowns that add a little sultry to the track, some rising action with chants of GO!, and a lot of anger, aggression, and political commentary. Fuck Around and fucking find out!
I’ve gotta say, the Midwest ska scene, from Michigan, Chicago, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, is on another level right now. They are politically aware, have important messages, and I am blown away by their method of delivery. While this is the first I’ve heard of them, it’s safe to say this is already becoming one of my favorite bands; they are in the same vein as the bands that bring me the most joy, and their message does wonders at keeping my sanity. They remind me that I’m not alone and that the things I see happening in the world are not ok, but that there are people not only singing about it or raising awareness, but that there are millions of others willing to fight to change the world for the better. Together, we win.
Written by Gimp Leg
