Album Review: UxB – Westworld Crisis

UxB is a new group, formed around former members of US Bombs – Kerry Martinez (Shattered Faith, Bad Luck Charms) Wade Walston (Suburbia, DI, Agent Orange) Chip Hanna (One Man Army, Weirdos, TSOL) – with The Aggrolites’ Jesse Wagner fronting. Signed to Germany’s Demons Run Amok label, the band releases their debut album ‘Westworld Crisis’ on August 14^th. After 20+ years of playing together, and with the addition of a fresh vocal dynamic, listeners can expect UxB to marry their songwriting experience with contemporary themes around the world’s current climate and technology’s influence, alongside personal outlooks towards the way life should be lived.

The album kicks off with the kooky ‘Tokyo Hiro’. It’s an almost ‘introduction’ – like a piece the band could walk out on stage to – with surf-style guitar breaks, prominent keys and rolling drums. Although fun, it reassuringly segues into the ‘classic’ sound of ‘Don’t Wanna Know’;  Wagner’s gravelly vocals rising nicely above the buzzsaw guitars. The title track follows – replete with bulging bass and a chorus that begs a sing-along. It’s topped off with a stirring outro: “If you want change, you can’t remain the same.” ‘Think It Over’ introduces softer, ska-lite vibes and a tinge of 50s-inspired organ, whereas ‘Phoenix’ chugs along with a crafted, straight-ahead sense of punk n’ roll that the band ultimately find their lane in when you consider the album overall. There is the rare diversion: take, for example, the percussion heavy, reggae-tinged ‘Night-Marchers’ and its narrative of the titular, legendary ghosts of Hawaiian warriors accounted over a lolloping bassline.

Back in their comfort zone, UxB continue to churn out exemplary tune after tune. They get introspective on ‘Higher Ground’: “the weight of every day just brings me down,” followed by the crisp, glossy chords of ‘Dance Live Dance’ and ‘Cosmic Reaction’. As the album’s title suggests, the band confront digital excess and paranoia – “who do you trust?” – on ‘Elon Musk’, before switching to historical conflicts for the atmospheric ‘Light Brigade’, where ringing notes build to a rousing call for the “600 brave.”  “I’ve been stripped right down to my soul,” croons Wagner on closer ‘It’s Only Life’ – a succinct meditation, both uplifting and brooding.

 Like direct, honest and reflective punk songs delivered with a familiar, timeless quality? ‘Westworld Crisis’ is available from August 14^th via Demons Run Amok. Physical copies can be pre-ordered HERE, while digital copies can be found on Bandcamp. UxB have Facebook and Instagram pages.