EP Review: The Atoms / The Crash Mats / Skimmer / Werecats – 3 Chords 2 Teeth

I’m writing this on the night that the BRIT Awards are taking place, and if you want an antidote to the mainstream mediocrity that the credit card sponsored celebrity backslapping fest offers then this four way split featuring The Crash Mats, The Atoms, Werecats and Skimmer is an essential listen, the oddly titled “3 Chords 2 Teeth” contains two tracks from each band, although it’s not clear who has the chords or the teeth. Kicking off this four way split is London’s Werecats with ‘You Will Love Me‘, a fizzing blast of their high octane punk pop that is countered by their second track, ‘Ode To Pizzatramp‘, a frantic 16 second tribute to the chaotic Welsh hardcore outfit. Next up is Derby’s The Atoms, a band I’ve not previously encountered, for me this is good thing as the mixing of the familiar and unknown is the beauty of split EP’s. This is punk rock that has a distinctly old school feel, both ‘I Hope She Dies‘ and ‘Steve Is A Smackrat‘ have a knockabout charm that can’t help but a raise a smile and set your toes tapping.

 

The second half of the EP doesn’t disappoint, Birmingham’s Skimmer pick up the baton with ‘Cinders‘ and ‘Anastasia‘, slightly off kilter beach boy choruses meet pop punk head on with two tracks that bring memories of the likes of Mega City 4 and The Senseless Things flooding back. Finally “3 Chords 2 Teeth” returns to it’s northern roots with Oldham’s self styled champions of idiotic ska punk, The Crash Mats. ‘You’re A Loose Cannon McConagall‘ is already a favourite of their live shows, and my favourite moment on this glorious DIY split, it’s a short sharp tribute to every hardbitten tv cop show sergeant who has chewed out maverick officers in his office, The Crash Mats close the EP with ‘Curry Party‘, a track that frantically skanks it way down to the local curry house. The vinyl edition of “3 Chords 2 Teeth” is limited to 300 copies and is now available via Horn & Hoof Records, the EP is also available via Bandcamp and the bands will also be selling the limited run vinyl at their upcoming shows. 

 

“3 Chords 2 Teeth” can be streamed and purchased here.