The Calamatix – The Calamatix

Music is often born of it’s environment, Ska is a prime example, since originating in Jamaica it’s spread it’s wings and become enmeshed within the Punk scene creating hybrids that twist the laid back vibe. Whether it’s Two Tone, old school Ska Punk or raging Ska Core, it’s become any ever present that can at times be almost unrecognisable from its origins. Where do you go from there? Well you take things back to the roots, and that’s where The Calamatix come in. Signed up by Tim Armstrong (Rancid / Operation Ivy / Transplants) to Hellcat Records, The Calamatix take things back to the roots of Ska and Rocksteady.

The four piece, guitarist Adam Porris, bassist William “Matty” Taylor, drummer Clarence “Pocket” Kidd III and singer & songwriter Raylin Joy, and of course with Tim Armstrong’s hands on approach, have recorded an album that is a departure from what Ska Punk in it’s myriad of incarnations has become and takes things back to basics, a mellower sound that is the soundtrack to a sunny frame of mind. As I’ve escaped the perpetual drizzle of my home city I’m typing this in a more suitable environment to tune into this album’s sunny laid back vibe. It’s not Jamaica or California but it’s warm, the ocean is clear and I’m hiding from the sun under an oversized umbrella and I have a small drink with an umbrella in it that is mostly rum, one that has that liberal approach to measures of alcohol that warmer climes seem to have. 

So let’s head into The Calamatix’s self titled debut album, The opening track, and lead single, Love Lies & Alibis, is a warm welcome that captures the spirit of Dancehall with a slight punk twist, a perfect start. From here we head into even more laid back territory with the old school skank of Believe It Or Not. The nods to Ska’s roots continue with Still Rudy, who seems to be an ever present in Ska songs across the decades. Rootsyle brings in a slight Hip Hop influence that is accompanied by a, yeah you guessed it, rocksteady Ska beat. Book Of Love and Dread keeps the beat going with a steady and so laid back it’s almost horizontal vibe that brings us up to half way mark.

If you were expecting The Calamatix to kick things up a gear in the style of The Interrupters for the second half of their debut album, well they don’t. Boom Bap keep things steady, Lady recalls 80’s Two Tone and Enjoy This Life is the perfect track to be drinking a cocktail by the pool to. The album concludes with Phone Call, Before It Stops and the soulful Tupelo Honey. If you want lively mosh pit ready ska punk, then this ain’t it. If however you want a contemporary take on the origins of ska then The Calamatix will sooth your troubled mind, and at least for around 40 minutes the world will feel like a better place.

You can pre-save The Calamatix‘ self titled debut album here