EP Review: Kid Klumsy – The Faces Don’t Fit

As their name implies, there is a loveable and boisterous innocence to Kid Klumsy that belies two things: they’re deadly serious and they’re bloody good at what they do. Having that childlike – but not childish – quality gives them licence to address the mores of contemporary life in a charmingly unfiltered way. But that’s a mask you shouldn’t be taken in by. This is not a cartoon, despite frontman Weab‘s larger than life persona.

Kid Klumsy are an exemplary fusion of punk songcraft, musical dexterity and personality. Any two of those traits combined would be potent enough. To have all three makes the band a rare proposition. Very few bands have it. Those that do are great and establish a niche for themselves that is distinctively their own. Kid Klumsy do this. They are the punk Nutty Boys – fun without being facile, serious without being po-faced about it. One minute it’s boobs, the next a sharp observation on relationships.

The Faces Don’t Fit EP (or is it a mini album?) swoops and swerves across a host of punk-pop sub-genres. It’s all in here – nu-metal, ska, classic four chord punk … all delivered with a swagger and panache that has grown over 2020’s three releases. Atop this superbly accomplished soundtrack sits a lyrical dexterity that uniquely mines a vein of self-deprecating and sharply observed personal notes on life, love and society. And then, out of the blue, there’s a high-octane version of The Housemartins‘ Caravan Of Love. This shouldn’t work, should it? But oh boy, does it. You just can’t keep a good song down. Not credited on the artwork is a special surprise. The band have contributed the track Yesterday’s Not Here to the Pete Shelley tribute album of the same name currently in preparation for release later in the year via Not Murdered Records. Vocals on the Shelley cover are handled by Rachel Reeves, with an interpolation by Weab.

All in all, a fine EP from a band becoming a distinctive and popular fixture on the UK circuit. Definitely and heartily recommended.

“The Faces Don’t Fit” is available digitally here and on CD via STP Records and Kid Klumsy‘s Big Cartel.

For more information on the Pete Shelley tribute album, see www.yesterdaysnothere.co.uk