Strap in, folks! The Wild Jumps have burst back onto the Portland, Oregon scene after a whirlwind tour of Brazil, and are proving once and for all that punk rock can indeed throw a killer dance party. Their latest offering, a video EP titled "The Wild Jumps live at Bridge City Sessions," released just five days ago, is an electrifying showcase of what it means to catch this band live—raw, unfiltered, and ridiculously fun.
Recorded at Bridge City Sessions, a hub that gained fame in the Pacific Northwest for keeping the live music scene throbbing through the pandemic, this EP is a love letter to the sweaty, head-banging, hip-wiggling joy that only comes from a Wild Jumps show. These sessions capture the band's dynamic energy and transform your living room into the closest thing to a live gig many of us have either been missing, or just needed a reminder as to what's so great about live music. Bridge City Sessions offer a well-produced and polished way for viewers to get the intimacy that a small venue offers...the Wild Jumps take full advantage of that.
The short tracklist reads like a manifesto of fun rebellion, with bangers like “I’m Not Stuck in Here with You, You’re Stuck in Here with Me” and “Our Gas Station Chicken is Better than Yours” setting the tone. But it’s “Fuck the Proud Boys” that turns the dial all the way up—a fierce, fiery punk anthem that makes you want to jump into the fray with "a far-left hook" of your own. With lyrics that punch as hard as the music, this track, long a crowd favorite, is a clear standout, echoing the band's unapologetic political stance with a roar. While we're talking crowd favorites, the Wild Jumps added their raucous cover of the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" which perfectly straddles that line of being close enough to the source material to not inder the dance party, but far enough away that it's not distracting that it's a part of their set.
And can we talk about the musicianship? The Wild Jumps are all top notch musicians. Ezre and Dya are a partnership that went into business together. They bought the “pocket,” cleaned it out and opened it up for business as an after hours nightclub...and business is good. On guitar, either Adam or Roark would make for a solid single guitar band, but the Wild Jumps are fortunate enough to have both and they absolutely make ideal use of both. They contrast rhythms and differentiate tones to each find the perfect space to operate in, neither just playing traditional roles, but each capably filling in the gaps to build the best stage possible for the giant voiced Allie Riot to showcase their epic voice. I can’t throw in enough hyperbole to get the point across on how big Allie’s voice is- opera singers may own the image of a shattered champagne glass, but Allie Riot is picking up that glass, filling it with PBR, throwing it against the wall and rolling around in the broken glass, daring you with a maniacal grin to join them. How can you say no?
What truly sets The Wild Jumps apart is their ability to fuse palpable joy with sharp, socially conscious lyrics. This EP isn’t just music; it’s an invitation to engage, react, and shake up the status quo, all while having the time of your life. They’re the band that spikes the punch (consensually) and starts the conga line, and they make it clear: if you’re too cool to dance, you’re too cool for their shows...but if you want to join them, by all means, you are fully welcome, just leave your chill at the door.
Check out the Bridge City Session below and check the Wild Jumps out at the innaugural Capital Radio Day, tickets available here.