Lock up your doubts and throw away the key—The Scoffs are here with their latest EP 'Factories in Heaven', and it’s ripping like a freight train through silence. Fresh off the presses today, this five-track powerhouse is a throwback to the golden years of punk, mixed with a little glam, and garnished with a modern twist that only The Scoffs could cook up.
Recorded in Seattle's No-Count Studios and then polished to gritty perfection by Evan Foster and Jack Endino (yes THAT Jack Endino), 'Factories in Heaven' hits like a street punk manifesto. From the rallying cries of "Factories in Heaven" to the haunting allure of "Miss USA," each track offers a masterstroke of lyrical wit, rock n roll swagger, big jumps, and musical bravado.
What makes The Scoffs stand out isn’t just their ability to churn out anthem after anthem—it’s their knack for making each song a sticky floor pub-crawl that ends in a raucous bar sing-along. Steve Bostick’s vocals are a raw nerve of emotion, perfectly complemented by the dual guitar onslaught of Lonny Bristle and his own gritty strumming. "Factories in Heaven" is the chant, "Status Quo" is the challenge, and "Miss USA" is the cheeky wink—it’s all classic Scoffs.
The rhythm section, with Nate Manning on bass and Rob Olsen on drums, isn’t just tight; it’s the backbone of a riot. In tracks like "Such a Mess," they’re stoking the fires of a rebel heart. It’s punk rock, yes, but with a side of street wisdom and barstool philosophy that’s as refreshing as it is intoxicating...they're equal parts hammers building the structure and wrecking balls bringing it down.
I think it’s also important to mention that Lonny and Steve are both so tactful in their approach. Neither is showy, but in their guile, it's clear both are excellent musicians that play off of each other well: filling in gaps, contrasting rhythms, and letting each other shine when the time comes. They don’t sound like rivals, but like old friends who seek to ensure each other’s success and lift each other up…they are fully engaged in a ladder match with the prize being the tag team titles. And they are winning.
With 'Factories in Heaven,' The Scoffs have distilled the essence of punk’s past glories and fused them with a contemporary edge that speaks to the disenfranchised, the disillusioned, and the diehards. This EP is a rallying call to those who still believe in the power of loud guitars, louder drums, and the might of a well-placed lyric.