Punk Floid/Houba – Split

Czech brethren Punk Floid and Houba come together for a joint effort that speaks to the lasting power of straightforward melodic skate punk.  In the simply named effort, Split 2010, each band contributes five songs apiece for a ten-track outing appreciable by any fans of barebones punk – even if they don’t speak a lick of Czech.  It’s nothing you’ve never heard before, but with roots stretching back to the 90’s, each band knows what they’re doing.

Punk Floid kicks off the disc with “Kopie,” a track just begging comparison to 90’s greats Pulley and Pennywise. The 90’s rooted band layers on vocal harmony after vocal harmony, syncing up with a background of classic “woahs” and simple, matching guitars.  Vocalist Vasheek has a slight rasp to him, but it’s certainly not the controlling quality.  When the band hits “Každej den” they throw in a couple solid ska upstrokes for effect, and when they reach their final track, “Kiss My Ass,” they base their chorus on the title’s English phrase, sending a cheeky message to interested Anglophones.

Once Punk Floid wraps up, 90’s punk group Houba weighs in.  A little poppier, but no less genuine, Houba opens with the inviting, melodic flow of “Lampy.”  But Houba hasn’t existed for fifteen years without growing some teeth, in fact, the following track “Bodujem” probably takes the title as the album’s quickest, most skate- oriented tune, with some melodies traceable to the early years of bands like No use For A Name.  Houba’s side boasts the most variation between the two, with “Nic zvláštního” offering a faint organ hum, “Ptal jsem se a Ivan nechce” matching Punk Floid’s Pennywise influence, and “Psali to v tisku” closing out the album with a sloppy, tempo shifting anthem.

Houba definitely steals the show in Split 2010, but both bands certainly showcase some quality mid-90’s melodic punk.  Neither band really pushes boundaries, but if you’re in the market for that age old sound as played by a couple bands who were around when it all went down, then Houba and Punk Floid have you covered.