What does it sound like when 90s skate punks wake up and find that their crust punk familiars have died out, and they still have things to do? It sounds like The Offsailors. Their latest album, Too Old To Skate is a rapid-fire ode to a lifestyle and attitude that defined a generation, but their knees and ankles just aren’t what they used to be – but that doesn’t mean they don’t have other problems to deal with. The Offsailors have genuinely captured the transitional feeling between skate park culture and the obstacles of traditional adulthood with their trademark intensity.
Opening with the titular track “Too Old To Skate”, The Offsailors blast into their classic skate punk sound driven by bass, distorted guitars, pounding drums, and sneering vocals. There is no preamble or warm up to the album, it’s a harsh but honest realization that you are too old to skate…at least not like you used to. What follows are 7 more tracks that may appear innocuous on the surface, but contain a depth of intention and lived-in irritability. The Offsailors pair their lyrical frustrations with their brand of high energy and fast tempos that veil some heavy introspection in such songs as “She Doesn’t Want Me”.
As much as Too Old To Skate tackles themes of facing limitations (and persistent lamentations), The Offsailors aren’t crying about it. The Alberta-based band don’t waste time asking “Why Me?”, but rather expose their current state of mind as it is – raw, genuine, and ready to commiserate over beers and pre-anniversary editions of Minor Threat albums. Too Old To Skate is written and performed by time-toughened musicians who know that they will carry on and survive, even if it’s just to spite the prom queen or to royally mess up a couch that doesn’t fit in the living room.
Recorded at Deer City Records with Jesse Roads and artwork by Get Kraken Designs, Too Old To Skate marks the band’s second release on High End Denim Records. The label is known for their keen eye for talent and are pulling more than their weight when it comes to lifting up their ever-expanding roaster.
Absolutely bursting with high-speed riffs, Too Old To Skate kicks off a new era for The Offsailors that demonstrates their skate punk skills while also writing songs that connect directly to the shared obstacles faced by their fans. Maybe the trucks on the old skateboard are getting rusty and the deck is getting dusty, but The Offsailors will not step quietly into traditional adulthood – and neither should you.
Connect with The Offsailors:
Bandcamp
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Bio:
Red Deer’s fiery party punks that will drink you under the table but don’t call them the next day because they will be sleeping it off! One more then we go!
