To those who believe dreams never die, Drag City has the perfect release for you. The legendary label dug deep into the punk rock catacombs to resurface the recordings of SKAM, a thrashing punk band that worked tirelessly only to release nothing. Who knows how many punk bands sat down to record music that got lost in a move to college or are now collecting dust in an attic somewhere. Thankfully, we live in a time where nostalgia reigns supreme, and bands like SKAM can find a gust of wind to propel their punk sailboat into history.
Drag City dug up the band’s recordings and put together No Name, the unofficial official debut album of SKAM which is set to be released on September 29. Boasting 13 studio recordings and four live tracks, the album is already boiling over with youthful energy. The lead single, “Open Your Eyes” shows a band far ahead of their time with neck-breaking tempos that get soothed by the swinging melody of the vocals.
The story goes, SKAM only lasted three years although those three years seem like some productive ones. From the years 1980 to 1983, the band recorded and played shows around the Washington D.C. area. Their paper trail is undeniable, from the show flyers that proudly carry the SKAM name to the 1983 recordings we have on No Name. Everything from the spraypaint -sprawled artwork to the undeniably infectious single, Drag City is allowing SKAM to be rejuvenated without taking away from the pure energy of these records.
Look out for No Name, the debut album from SKAM, out on September 29 via Drag City. Check out the lead single “Open Your Eyes” below.
