Record Label: Go-Kart Records
Genre: Skate Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Skate punk is a hard thing to judge. I feel like skate punk wishes to be catchy but refuses to embrace anything nearing the Ramonesy pop branch of punk. As a result, these bands grasp for melody, but the guitars are always thick and boring and the music is always a few shades darker than it should be to get its hooks in you.

Nowadays, skate punk bands go the emo route to be melodic, turning skate punk from forgettably decent to downright shitty. Luckily, Guff does not touch the emo. That might be the most glowing thing I can say about them.

I mean, they’re okay. Guff busily struggles to rock out in melodic-but-hard fashion as typified by most Fat bands. But when it comes down to it, bands like this need to sit down with 5 or 6 Ramones albums and analyze what makes them both fast/punky AND fun/catchy.

Do I want to turn skate punk into Screeching Weasel-styled pop punk? Sure, why not? I see skate punk as floundering today on an apex between pop punk and emo, and too many are pushing it the wrong way. Guff still straddle the middle, but for how long? This review is a battle cry for Guff’s soul… which is thus a battle for all punk rock. Pick your side carefully, Guff. The kids look to you.

Bottom Line: Skate punk is kinda blah.
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